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.
