policy
The leader of the National Shiite Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, stressed the importance of comprehensive reform and issued recommendations to merchants during his Friday sermon from the Kufa Mosque. Sadr called for radical "shala' qala' (root and branch)" reforms, emphasizing the need for merchants to adhere to honesty and integrity in their daily dealings. Sadr specifically addressed merchants across Iraq, particularly in sacred provinces, urging them to commit to lawful earnings and honest conduct. He exhorted them to shun all forms of fraud, deception, cunning, and price gouging, along with any practices deemed religiously or customarily forbidden. He stated: "If you are not free in your religion, then be free in your worldly affairs... and the freedom of this world is to reject everything you reject for yourself and your family." Furthermore, the movement's leader underscored the importance of avoiding forbidden sales, usury, excessive profit, and bad manners, affirming these are rejected not only religiously but "by every person of dignity and chivalry." In a stern warning to local governments, Sadr asserted that the National Movement would not remain passive if official bodies ignored these transgressions, stating: "Whoever does not respect Najaf and its reputation, we will not respect them, and there is no escaping this." He called upon all merchants to acquire religious understanding, citing the saying: "A merchant is a sinner until he acquires religious understanding." He also invited non-compliant individuals to repent, including custodians and Ba'ath party employees his father previously urged to repent, clarifying his continued trust in them while closely monitoring their actions. Sadr concluded by reiterating that these directives are central to his "shala' qala' (root and branch)" reform call, cautioning against allowing Satan to dominate, which leads to forgetting God's remembrance and obedience.
