Sheikh Abdulmalek al-Saadi said in a statement that he had hoped the government of Iraq had welcomed the movement by Iraqi protesters, had acknowledged some of government’s shortcomings and had realized their demands but unfortunately noting has been done. Instead, the government has harassed the protesters, disregarded them; and arrested, attacked and displaced people.
In a statement, the prominent Iraqi religious leader said: “The Iraqi government directly targeted the protesters’ chest with arms and used Iraqi Army to pressure those participating and had closed down mosques.
He advised the Government of Iraq to return to right path and conciliate with the Iraqi people and end the ugly methods by which it intends to undermine the protests and break apart a portion of Iraqi society.
He called on religious and tribal leaders not to go after the mirage presented by the government.