Sheikh Abdul Mahdi Al-Karbalai
Dear brothers and sisters, I would like to clarify the following two points:
First Matter:
People are suffering, in most areas, from a significant lack of public services, especially the electric power that is desperately needed with the rise of temperatures that has broken records in this scorching summer. It has always been expected from the successive governments that they pay special attention to solve this issue, and adopt and implement correct plans to meet the shortfall in this core service, but unfortunately, each government puts the blame on its predecessor and does not do what is necessary for alleviating suffering of the citizens in the future. Many citizens suffer from other important aspects as well, including the lack of appropriate job opportunities that bring them the minimum decent living. As all know, there is a high rate of unemployment in the country, and the successive governments have overlooked developing strategic plans for solving this issue despite the great potentials Iraq has that, if used appropriately, would not leave a single citizen with no appropriate job. And despite all these issues, in addition to the financial and administrative corruption (which is the origin of all misfortunes), terrorism, and the lawlessness that many areas suffer from, most citizens are still patient, we even see them unhesitant in sacrificing their lives and the lives of their beloved ones in fighting the DAESH terrorism and redeem Iraq and its dignity and pride. But patience has limits and can not wait to go on indefinitely, and the central and local governments are required to deal with people’s demands with the appropriate methods that reflect state’s respect of its citizens and the care for their rights. And they are also required not to resort to rough tactics in dealing with the legitimate demands, and to do their utmost in order to achieve those demands and alleviate the suffering of the citizens at least temporarily.
Beware of disregarding the demands, underestimating them, or the indifference to their consequences. The officials are hoped to work hard and sincerely on following up the grievances of citizens, and do their utmost to achieve their demands and meet their needs. They should imagine for some time that they are living under the same hard conditions the people are living under, hopefully they will feel how deep is their suffering.
Second Matter:
The brave security forces of the Counter Terrorism Forces, other forms of the Armed Forces, the volunteers, and the ardent tribesmen continue fighting the terrorists in several areas, especially in some of the neighborhoods of Ramadi and the other cities of Anbar Province. While we highly appreciate their achievements and victories, we emphasize, once again, on the necessity of the participation of a larger numbers of the sons of those areas in these battles, especially the ardent tribesmen who have always been known for their ardor for Iraq and its unity, dignity, and the prosperity of its people. And the participation of their brothers the volunteers of other areas in these areas will increase their military capabilities, and it is a moral force that enhances their real abilities and reflects a national cohesion that proves the unity of the goal and everybody’s feeling of belonging to one united Iraq, and fail those who want to spread division between those who rose up from areas of several affiliations in order to redeem the country from the DAESH terrorism.
And this action must coincide with the actions of the officials and those who are concerned of opening up to the citizens and the effective segments and the socially and religiously influential segments in those areas that are being liberated from the profanity of DAESH, in order to inform about their needs and listen to their aspirations, visions, and suggestions to reach a better reality and to relationships that are characterized by mutual trust and the sense of common destiny and coexistence that is based on the equality of all in the rights and duties.
May God bless us with the salvation from these criminal gangs and reform our country, and peace be upon Mohammed and his good and divine family.
