Cleric: Religious Leadership Optimistic about Political Reforms in Iraq

Cleric: Religious Leadership Optimistic about Political Reforms in Iraq
Mon Aug 31, 2015 17:59:36

A prominent Iraqi cleric underlined that the country’s religious leadership is optimistic about political reforms by the government in the midst of its campaign against terrorism.

Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency on Monday, Sadr al-Din al-Qubanchi, the Friday Prayers Leader of the holy city of Najaf, emphasized that the introduction of political reforms while the fight against terrorism is underway is good sign.

Undoubtedly, Iraq is experiencing a new political system as it has formed a new government by various parties and groups, the cleric said.

Since the political process in Iraq is in its early stages, the country’s government needs more time and experience, he noted.

“We are optimistic about the fact that Iraq has started political reforms in the height of its campaign against terrorism and this is a good sign,” Qubanchi said.

After anti-corruption demonstrations and a call from Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi responded with a reform program aimed at curbing corruption and streamlining the government.

Parliament signed off on Abadi's proposed reforms as well as additional measures, and the prime minister has begun changes, including the scrapping of 11 cabinet posts and for the bloated number of guards for officials to be slashed.

Meanwhile, Iraqi President Fouad Masum said that he would personally supervise the process of the implementation of the reforms in the Arab country.

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