Iyad Jamal al Din, an Iraqi political activist and specialist in Islamic affairs attacked the Shiaa religious authorities for interfering in politics and favoring a particular political group. âIt is dangerous,â he said, âto exploit religious legitimacy in politics. The Shiaa are courting catastrophe when the name of the religious leadership is exploited in politics. The 1,300 year old religious authority is respected throughout Iraq, and not only by the Shiaa community or parts of it.â Jamal al Din is well known throughout his native country for opposing establishing a religious state in Iraq, instead strongly backing a secular state in Iraq . In an interview with Asharq Al Awsat in London, earlier this week, the Iraqi scholar said, âWhen the religious authority espouses a single state that does not represent the entire Shiaa community it puts itself in danger because its standing in Iraqi society and honor have been taken hostage by a few men.â If those in power succeed, Iraqis âwill rejoice and say they have weathered the storm.â However, if the politicians fail, âtheir failure will reflect on the religious authorities.â Jamal al Din feared for the standing of the Shiaa religious establishment if it is to be tarnished by political bickering. âWe want it to protect all Iraqis,â he added.
Explaining his preference for a secular state to in Iraq , the Iraqi scholar said such a regime âguarantees the freedom of political parties and individuals alike. It is a non-ideological regime.â He indicated that he did not believe secularism was an ideology in itself. Instead, he saw it as a method of administering the state. As such, according to Jamal al Din, the new Iraqi governments should be non-ideological and free of religious and doctrinal affiliations. âIts most important task ought to be managing the affairs of the country and its citizens and maintaining security. Other tasks historically entrusted to the government, such as acting as a moral guardian and encouraging the institution of the family should be transferred to civil society.â