Eid preachers call for settling differences

NINEWA / IraqiNews.com: The preachers in the western Mosul district of Talafar called for settlement of differences and spreading the spirit of endearment and tolerance while others held the political parties and foreign forces responsible for “the disruption of the Iraqi people’s unity”. Sheikh Mohammed Jawwad Mulla, the preacher and imam of Ahl al-Bayt Mosque, called for “investing the blessed days of Eidul-Fitr and seizing the opportunity to stretch the bridges of love, fraternity and cooperation as well as exchanging visits among the different social groups in Talafar. “The Iraqis have never known any sectarian, ethnic or doctrinal sentiments throughout their history. Iraqis have always coexisted in amity and cooperation but some dubious projects have created a split amongst them,” Sheikh Mulla said in his Eid sermon on Sunday. Meanwhile, Sheikh Youssuf al-Djalbi, the imam and preacher of al-Djalbi Mosque in Talafar, warned against “shedding innocent blood and dissemination of malicious rumors and groundless accusations that sow the seeds of sedition and schism”. “Religious duty compels us not to let the Eidul-Fitr go by without settling differences among all,” said Djalbi, the head of the Sunni Endowment in Talafar, calling for “fighting administrative corruption in state institutions”. Talafar lies 60 km northwest of Mosul, the capital city of Ninewa province, 405 km north of Baghdad. On Sunday, the office of top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said Monday will be the first day of Eidul-Fitr, the three-day holiday that caps the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. The information was also confirmed by the offices of senior Shiite clerics Ayatollahs Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim and Mohammed al-Yaaqubi. Earlier on Saturday (Sept. 19), Sheikh Ahmed Abdulghafour al-Samarraie, the head of the Sunni Endowment board, had announced during a press conference that Sunday was to be the first day of Eidul-Fitr. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani congratulated the Iraqi people over Eidul-Fitr holiday, according to a presidential release. “The Iraqi people’s patience and steadfastness in the face of crimes by terrorists and criminals and those who conspire against their unity and democratic experiment are something that is worthy of praise and greeting,” read the release as received by Iraqi News. AmR (S) 1