Sadr Warns against Holding Another ‘Immoral’ Festival in Iraq

Sadr supporters are seen at a protest in Baghdad’s Sadr City in April. (AP)
Sadr supporters are seen at a protest in Baghdad’s Sadr City in April. (AP)
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Sadr Warns against Holding Another ‘Immoral’ Festival in Iraq

Sadr supporters are seen at a protest in Baghdad’s Sadr City in April. (AP)
Sadr supporters are seen at a protest in Baghdad’s Sadr City in April. (AP)

For the second time in less than a month, head of the Sadrist movement in Iraq cleric Moqtada al-Sadr described the current government as that of “Bani Abbas”, recalling the historic dispute between the Abbasids and Alawites after the collapse of the Umayyad Caliphate.

Sadr made his remarks in criticism of the Iraq International Festival that was held in Baghdad earlier this week and that had sparked great controversy.

Sadr described the festival as “immoral”, warning “Islamic states against greater openness and hateful liberalism that only serve normalization [with Israel] and spread homosexuality.”

“This was demonstrated at the festival that violated Arab and Islamic societal norms that is being ruled by the Bani Abbas state,” he added.

The current government was formed through an agreement by the pro-Iran Shiite Coordination Framework, rivals of Sadr.

“I am certain that the Iraqi people are of a pure ummah and they reject corruption and perversions. I am certain that should such festivals be held again, the people will collectively reject excessive liberalism, normalization and the LGBT community,” continued Sadr.

The cleric also attacked American Ambassador to Baghdad Alina Romanowski, who had praised the festival and Iraqi artist Shatha Hassoun who had organized it.

He remarked that the festival was directly overseen by Romanowski, whom he said comes from the “nation of homosexuals.”

Sadr’s comments stirred debate in Iraq. Some political observers and activists speculated that his statement may spark street protests should such events be held again, while others discussed the limits of freedoms and going beyond them.

Some observers tied his comments to the challenges in Iraq, such as the dollar crisis and the upcoming provincial council elections.

Advisor to the prime minister for Cultural Affairs Aref al-Saadi issued a clarification over the festival. He said Hassoun had requested that a festival be held to honor Iraqi and Arab artists. Her suggestion was supported by the premiership and Ministry of Culture, but she did not receive any financial support from them because the offer was made through a private company.

The only support offered by the state authorities was preparing the square where the festival was held, he added. “The government was in no way involved in organizing the event.”

The festival went on to honor several Iraqi and Arab artists.

Saadi acknowledged that “several errors had taken place at the event”, such as the attendance of bloggers and fashionistas, whose presence he said was “inappropriate”.

Should the government have “ordered that women be inspected at the entrance of the festival? Should a dress code have been imposed?” he wondered. “Had we done so, we would have been criticized immensely and had the festival been banned, Baghdad would have been compared to Kandahar.”

The festival was initially set to be held on September 29, but the al-Hamdaniya tragedy and the ensuing days of mourning forced organizers to postpone it to October 3, which coincided with National Day.



Egypt Aims to Deepen European Cooperation with ‘Strategic Partnership’ with Spain

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)
President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)
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Egypt Aims to Deepen European Cooperation with ‘Strategic Partnership’ with Spain

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)
President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi kicked off an official visit to Spain on Tuesday, during which he is set to sign an agreement elevating bilateral relations to the level of a “strategic partnership.”

Sisi’s visit is also part of Egypt’s broader efforts to rally international and European support for the Palestinian cause and counter calls for the “forced displacement” of Palestinians.

Cairo’s engagement with Europe has gained momentum recently, particularly after Egypt and the European Union signed a Joint Declaration in March last year, raising their relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”

A spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency stated that Sisi will meet with Spain’s King and prime minister, as well as representatives of major Spanish companies. He will also participate in an economic forum with the Spanish business community.

Sisi’s visit to Madrid comes at a crucial time when Egypt is mobilizing international support for the Palestinian cause and opposing any displacement of Palestinians.

Ambassador Rakha Ahmed, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister and member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, noted that Spain could play a key role in supporting the Arab stance that rejects Palestinian displacement, as it was among four European nations to recently recognize the State of Palestine.

In May, Spain, alongside Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia, officially recognized an independent Palestinian state.

Egypt and other Arab nations have strongly rejected proposals by US President Donald Trump and Israeli officials advocating for the displacement of Gaza’s population. Instead, Cairo has put forward a plan for Gaza’s reconstruction while ensuring its residents remain in place.

Ahmed told Asharq Al-Awsat that Spain’s position on the Palestinian issue aligns with Egypt’s and the broader Arab stance, as it rejects the displacement of Gaza’s residents and supports reconstruction efforts while keeping Palestinians in their homeland.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated during a Socialist Workers’ Party conference on Saturday that his country “will not allow the implementation of the US president’s proposal.”

Spain’s support for the Arab position extends to its influence within the European Union, where it could play a leading role in shaping EU policy on the Palestinian issue, according to Ambassador Gamal Bayoumi, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister and former Secretary-General of the Egypt-EU Partnership Unit.

Madrid could emerge as a “key force within the EU in support of Palestinian rights,” he noted.

Bayoumi also emphasized the significance of elevating Egyptian-Spanish relations to a strategic partnership, calling it “a vital step that strengthens cooperation between Cairo and Madrid across multiple sectors.”

He added that the agreements signed during Sisi’s visit would help facilitate trade liberalization and attract more joint investments.

Bilateral trade between Egypt and Spain reached $3.1 billion last year, slightly down from $3.2 billion in 2023. Spanish investments in Egypt totaled $123 million in the last fiscal year, according to Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.