Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD3144
2008-09-29 13:05:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

PRT WASIT: SADRIST PC MEMBERS DELIVER DOCUMENT TO

Tags:  PREL PINS PINR IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 291305Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9697
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 BAGHDAD 003144 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2018
TAGS: PREL PINS PINR IZ
SUBJECT: PRT WASIT: SADRIST PC MEMBERS DELIVER DOCUMENT TO
END SADR,S ARMED STRUGGLE

Classified By: PRT Leader Robert Kagler for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 BAGHDAD 003144

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2018
TAGS: PREL PINS PINR IZ
SUBJECT: PRT WASIT: SADRIST PC MEMBERS DELIVER DOCUMENT TO
END SADR,S ARMED STRUGGLE

Classified By: PRT Leader Robert Kagler for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) This is a PRT Wasit reporting cable.


2. (S//REL TO USA, ACGU) Summary: On September 14, Sadrist
Trend Provincial Council (PC) member Ahmed Hasan E'barah
delivered a statement to the PRT from Muqtada al-Sadr
ordering his followers to turn away from armed struggle and
enter his new program of Al Momahadoon (The Prepared
Ones). Al Momahadoon is a program of study and behavior
designed to create a better individual and a better Muslim
society. The statement renounces violence and disavows
anyone who continues to pursue violent actions from the
Sadr movement. On September 21, E'barah, fellow Sadrist PC
member Siraj Anwar Ali, and Provincial Council Chairman
Mohammad Hassan Jabbar met in Jabbar's office with PRT
Political and Governance Officers to discuss Sadr's
statement. The Sadr spokesmen stated unequivocally that
the head of the Sadr Office in Al Kut ordered them to
ensure that the document reached senior American officials
in Iraq. E'barah made specific mention of highlighted
areas of the text which repeatedly state that Sadr and
Sadrists would not support violent actions and would not
allow anyone who did to belong to the Sadr movement. We
asked point blank if this constituted the official end of
Sadr's armed struggle; E'barah responded that this was
exactly what they were trying to convey to the Americans
and the Coalition. The cordial meeting ended with E'barah's
unexpected request to be seen by a U.S. military doctor for
treatment of kidney stones. End summary.

Orders From Najaf: Pass Document to Coalition
--------------


3. (S//REL TO USA, ACGU) The two Sadrist leaders were
clearly interested in explaining the document. E'barah
said the order to deliver the document to the USG came from
the new head of the Sadr office in Al Kut, Sheikh Sai'd Al
Maliki, who in turn had orders from Najaf to get the
document into Coalition hands. E'barah in late August
attempted to deliver the document, dated 15 Shaban (18
August); the delay occurred because his main PRT points of
contact were away from the PRT. E'barah added that the PRT
received the document because of its close working

relationship with the PC in general and the Sadr Trend PC
members in particular. He specifically mentioned the PRT
Leader's weekly meetings the with the PC chairman in the
chairman's office as very positive.

Sadrist Leaders: We Officially Renounce Violence
-------------- --


4. (S//REL TO USA, ACGU) E'barah verified that the
ten-page document was authentic and had gone to the entire
Sadrist leadership, although not to all of the rank and
file. The key points were that all Sadrists must
henceforth stay away from politics and violence, avoid
mixing politics and religion, and join Al Momahadoon;
refusal will mean automatic expulsion from the Trend. When
asked specifically if this constitutes an official
notification from Muqtada al-Sadr to the USG that Sadr
officially has renounced violence, E'barah responded yes,
this was precisely his purpose. He elaborated that Sadr PC
members no longer are responsible for the Jaish al-Mahdi
(JAM) or anyone else committing violent acts, but only for
Al Momahadoon, Sadr's new program of religious and social
work.


5. (S//REL USA, ACGU) Comment: There seems to be little
doubt that the document is authentic and that the Sadr
Trend leaders in Al Kut were ordered by their superiors in
Najaf to pass it to an official American thus ensuring it
would be passed to senior American/Coalition leadership in
Iraq. Wasit PRT has maintained a close working
relationship with the Sadr Provincial Council members since
early 2008. Whether Muqtada Al Sadr truly has renounced
violence and plans to implement this manifesto remains to
be seen. The Sadrists clearly wish to distance themselves
publicly from any further violence, however, and hope this
document will spare them from blame for future violence by
now-renegade elements of JAM.


6. (U) Unofficial English translation of text:


I. Definition of those who are prepared (Al Momahadoon)
(Pamphlet page 1.)
They are a religious, cultural and intellectual army that
is engaged in an intellectual, scientific Jihad. This
Jihad is to free the minds, spirits, and hearts from

BAGHDAD 00003144 002 OF 005


Westernization and secularization. The use of weapons is
absolutely prohibited.
The Goals of Al Momahadoon:

1. Prepare for the coming religious state

2. Prepare the people spiritually

3. Guide society by spreading a correct Islamic awareness

4. Teach people about God and Islamic laws

5. Spread social equality and justice through the Islamic
system

6. State and spread human rights according to Islamic law
(Sharia)

7. Create an Islamic society

8. Preach to people about living a virtuous life and
avoiding vice, but only with preaching and praying, not
with violence

9. Follow the example of the first infallible people
(Mohammad and the first Caliphs)

10. Ensure Islamic Sharia law is followed and provide
security to society

11. Ensure freedom with Sharia law and spread moral
behavior

12. Respect minorities and peoples' opinions

13. Apply Sharia law in all your activities

Al Momahadoon Missions (Pamphlet page 2.)

(Verse from the Koran) In the name of God the most
merciful, we give you this book (the Koran); it is full of
truth. Worship God and be faithful to his religion.
Al Momahadoon (The Prepared) brothers, you are God's
favorite. God sent you countless gifts and today we are
coming to one of these gifts. It is a gift the advantages
of which no one knows except God and the intellectuals. In
order to take advantage of this opportunity and benefit
from the blessings of this month (Shaban, the month before
Ramadan),we ask you, as your first mission, in the month
of the prophet to prove to God and his messengers the 12
Imams and to our leader Moqtada al-Sadr (who is a favorite
of God's) that you are able to take responsibility and to
be committed to what God ordered you to do. Also, you must
still maintain the highest levels of loyalty, obedience,
faithfulness, and complete commitment.

First Mission (Pamphlet page 2.)
Practice religious rituals daily and give credit to Imam Al
Mahdi
Examples of these rituals:

1. Read verses of the Koran

2. Visit the graves of infallible people (Imams etc)
(Karbala/Najaf)

3. Read prayers or the Hadiths

4. Fast any day of the week that you like

5. Read religious books

6. Visit sick people and ask God to cure them

7. Visit your family and friends

8. Provide humanitarian assistance to the poor

9. Pray in a mosque

10. Pray and ask God to forgive believers

11. Provide assistance to believers

12. Give advice to one of your Muslim brothers and that
advice should remain between you and him

13. Attend religious education courses and funerals

14. Reconcile two persons

15. Ask God to forgive your misdeeds and clear your
conscience

16. Spread religious awareness

17. Distribute humanitarian assistance to faithful people

18. Donate your blood to people who need it

19. Attend intellectual and thoughtful seminars

20. Confess yourself daily before you go to bed

II. Agreement Paper

In the name of God

I -------------- agree before God that I absolutely will not be
involved in military or political affairs complying with
directions from Mr. Moqtada al-Sadr (honored by God) that
orders the Momahadoon to restrict themselves to ideological
educational work. God is my witness in what I say.
Momahadoon signature
Interview committee signature

III. The Momahadoon (Prepared people) requirements
The requirements for the Momahadoon person under the second
part will consist of four stages:
Al Mureed - (One who wants to join) a person who wants to
join the Momahadoon to build a true state and wait for the
time when we have a true Islamic state

BAGHDAD 00003144 003 OF 005


Taleb - (Student) someone who wants to achieve self-reform
first and then reform society.
Al Saleh - (The Righteous) a person who passed through a
cycle or cycles in the bigger struggle; he will be able to
reform others.
Al Mukhles - (The Faithful) someone who is on the highest
level of the Momahadoon and others follow his footsteps;
these are his qualifications:

1. He has reached an age of responsibility (12 years)

2. His parents, brothers and sisters should not be involved
with secular people in the present or past

3. He should absolutely not be in a political party

4. Must read and write very well

5. Should have a good reputation

6. Should not be a member of corrupted religious elements
(Sunni, etc)

7. Should have good social relations

He should also have the following:


1. Must have a certificate of literacy or knowledge of the
Koran

2. A receipt for five payments

3. Official documents

4. Must fill out a personal application

5. Must have two recommendations one from one of a city's
righteous and one from a town's righteous

6. Signs an agreement stating he will not be involved in
political or military activities

7. Fills out a form that consists of 150 questions

8. He should not be handicapped or have a disability that
will prevent him from working

9. He should wear appropriate conservative clothing and
should present a conservative appearance (note in the
original document there was no number 8 in this area the
document was numbered 7 then 9 and 10)

IV. Moqtada al-Sadr explaining the end of violence and
start of the new program

In the name of God

To my brothers in Imam Al Mahdi Army (JAM)

First: the freeze on violent action by the Al Mahdi Army is
still going on for an indefinite period and if someone
violates this freeze he is not one of us.

Second: we set up an educational program for Imam Al Mahdi
Army and we named that program Al Momahadoon. All of the
members of this program should be committed to doing all
its requirements. For persons who do not obey these
requirements they will be outside of the Al Mahdi Army
(JAM). It is necessary to carry out what Al Mahdi Army says
and not disobey it.

Third: I want to notify you and all the people inside and
outside Iraq that the first Friday of the month of Ramadan
will be unlucky Friday to the invaders and we are going to
discredit their reputation, denying it by the correct means
of solving problems. By doing that we are assisting the
Iraqi people by pushing them towards the true Islam. We
ask for all people not to be critical of the above
statement.

Moqtada Al Sadr
1429 Shaban, 15



V. Interview with Moqtada al-Sadr

In the name of God

The generosity of Islam and Muslims, Mr. Moqtada al-Sadr,
God grant him a victory, God's peace be upon you.
After earlier issuing the statement dividing the works of
the Mahdi Army followers into two sections, that are the Al
Moquwemoon (The Resistance or Mujahedeen) and the Al
Momahadoon (Those Who are Prepared),it is now necessary to
clear up and give more details about this Al Momahadoon
project, especially the doctrine and intellectual
supervision provided to the Prepared so that all of us will
be aware of the details of this project.

Question #1 Are the ideology, programs, supervision and
general publications concerning this program signed by you?
Yes, but more than that, and according to my understanding,
the big benefits will go to those who want to be perfect
ideologically, educationally, and socially as this will

BAGHDAD 00003144 004 OF 005


allow him to carry the best weapon which is knowledge and
education. The half-educated man is a miserable one. The
best struggler is the one who struggles with himself before
he struggles with his enemy. If you prepare yourself as a
good, aware, intellectual believer who is a friend of and
loves the people and you stay away from all evil, violence,
and proud ways and do not enforce your opinion with weapons
and violence then it is considered that this coming
(developing) generation will be the base of declaring the
country where truth and justice will prevail (Islamic
rule). But if you stay as you are (ignorant and
half-educated) it is the worst thing you can do, you should
know that! This program is set up by your leaders; you must
follow it as it is your salvation.

Question #2 Some brothers believe that this Ideological
change came about as a result of the security circumstances
in Iraq. That these security circumstances affected Sadr's
line. Is that true?

A. The one who says that is an enemy to truth, so I
consider him my enemy as well.

B. I set up the Al Momahadoon to give you a straight line
and put you with the righteous. The primary and first
target of setting up the Al Momahadoon is a religious
matter.

C. The biggest struggle is the struggle against the soul.
That means reforming the person and being perfect in
education and knowledge.

D. Struggling against the pagans and resisting them comes
after being good at knowledge and education which is
included in this project. There are some other advanced
stages that members will take and apply if they succeed in
this project.

E. I consider all Muslims to be negligent in not having
these educational programs before. So the ordeals that
happened to the believers have nothing to do with setting
up this program.

F. The ordeals were for specific people in Iraq. However,
this program is not for specific people as I consider all
Iraqis are equal and there is no difference between people.
There might be someone who says "I am a Sadrist" but
al-Sadr is his enemy, so do not believe him.

G. These hard circumstances are not new or strange for
Iraq and Iraqis especially the believers! We are used to
getting killed, tortured in jails, arrested, followed and
deserted. The best example of that is al-Sadr himself.
Most of the Sadr family are martyrs and prisoners, so you
are like them, be a voice for Sadr whether you are silent
or speaking (actions and words).

Question #3 We heard that one of the terms and
requirements to be accepted in this program is to write a
commitment that the member will not be involved in any
military or political affairs. What is the reason for
that?
Your trust in your leaders should be great enough that
there should be no requirement to ask such a question, but
I will say the reasons that lead to that.

A. This is what my father used to do. He would ask for a
written commitment of not being involved in political
affairs

B. This is an educational program and military has no
place there at all, it is outside of the purpose of the
program. (This answer was highlighted by Sadr office for
our special notice in original text)

C. This program is to prepare people qualified in all
aspects of life for the future.

D. What we mean by politics here is the politics that
leads to corruption and this program is free from any
corruption.

E. We also mean the politics that is running the country,
struggling to get seats and positions also portfolios (job
appointments). We thought, in the past, when we made the
believers participate in politics that they would make it
clean and get rid of corruption. But what happened was the
opposite; the believers became corrupted by politics.

Question #4 Is this project for women or for men only?
It is for both genders and we specify women with several
points.

A. Women are mothers. If you prepare the mother well you
will get a perfect (next) generation.

B. Women are the important half of society.

C. Women are the primary and basic factor for guiding
society. If you prepare a generation of women bound by
Islamic law, the veil, dignity, and chastity you will get a
generation that loves knowledge and struggles
intellectually against western secular thought.

D. There is neglect of women in this society. Involving

BAGHDAD 00003144 005 OF 005


them in such a project is our duty towards them as women.

Question #5 Do those who have a religious education have
a role in this project?
Yes, they are considered the backbone of this project.
They will take over the teaching and advising and the
spiritual support as well. Let me remind you with what my
father used to say: "this is what we have, it is our glory,
leader, and hope". He meant the spiritual support.

Question #6 Is the acceptance of people in this program
limited to Sadrist of is it for all believers?

A. This program is not for a specific group or somebody it
is for all who want to be perfect in science and knowledge.
(This answer highlighted by Sadr office for our special
notice in original text)

B. For everyone who loves Sadr is considered a Sadrist,
even if he did not belong to the Sadr Trend. I mean anyone
who loves the truth and the people of the truth, he by
doing this loves Sadr and the Sadr family. Consequently he
is a Sadrist.

C. The biggest mistake that the Sadr Trend did is that
they isolated themselves. Let this project be the open
door to the others to be closer to them and become near to
the Iraqi believers in general. I want to add when I set
up the JAM I did not limit it to the Sadrists but the
closed mindedness of some members of JAM led to that
result.
Question#7 Does the project of Al Momahadoon include
those who work in the Federal Government? There are a lot
of people who want to join it.
If their jobs do not contradict or conflict with the
project, there is no problem in joining. Plus they must
serve the people as well, for the highest target for the
employee is to serve people. As long as joining the
project does not hurt their job.

Question #8 What is the situation for those who claim
that they are JAM members and they did not join this
project?
They are considered out of the JAM, absolutely out of it.
Not being joined to the project reveals many things, I do
not want to state it or declare it. I want to add that
joining of the JAM members to this project keeps the JAM's
reputation safe and joining this project should be the
first priority of their duties. (PRT Comment: This
answer highlighted by Sadr office for our special notice
in original text. End Comment.)

Question #9 What is your advice to the Prepared, Al
Momahadoon?
Peace be upon them, I want to thank those whose money,
kids, ordeals, and work did not distract them from God.
They sacrifice everything to join this project.
I wish them a successful reformation
I ask them to be patient and face problems with faith
I ask them to walk towards science and knowledge
They are the hope for the future
They are the soldiers of the Imam
Be aware of this:
Knowledge is the controller and money is controlled
Knowledge is everlasting and money perishable like fame
Knowledge is your power in your eternity
Money is your enemy in your eternity (money corrupts)
Fear God as it should be
Invite all not to listen to the rumors that arise around
this project
The Mujahid who refuses to join this project, he is so far
from the Jihad. So if you take up weapons you are not part
of this program. According to my understanding I believe
this project is your weapon and ammunition in your life and
eternity.
Moqtada al- Sadr
CROCKER