Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iraqis mourn death of key Shi'ite party leader
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Iraqis mourn death of key Shi'ite party leader
Reuters - Saturday, August 29
BAGHDAD - Thousands of Iraqis Friday mourned the death of Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, a leading Shi'ite Muslim figure whose death could heighten political instability before national polls many fear may be marred by violence.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hakim, who headed one of Iraq's most powerful Shi'ite Muslim parties, the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council , died in Tehran Wednesday where he was being treated for lung cancer.
A sea of people, some waving black banners, walked alongside Hakim's hearse towards a revered Shi'ite mosque in Baghdad, one of several sites where his casket is expected to be taken before being buried in the holy Shi'ite city of Najaf Saturday.
Iraqi leaders and other officials gathered at the Baghdad airport earlier Friday to receive his body from Iran. Some sobbed audibly, and flowers were thrown on Hakim's coffin as it was carried off the plane. Senior Iraqi officials sat in a mourning tent nearby specially constructed for the ceremony.
Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a fellow Shi'ite Arab, President Jalal Talabani, an ethnic Kurd, and other senior figures offered their condolences to Ammar al-Hakim, one of Hakim's sons and a likely successor as the head of ISCI.
A member of Maliki's governing coalition, ISCI Monday said it would lead a new, mostly Shi'ite alliance to compete in January's national polls with the notable absence of Maliki, raising questions about a split among Iraq's Shi'ite majority.
"We should talk today of your loss to us Sayyid Hakim, while we are in a sensitive stage that is still critical," Maliki said in a speech at the airport, using an honorific title for Hakim and making no overt references to Shi'ite politics.
NEW ALLIANCE
Ammar al-Hakim, who despite having been groomed to take over ISCI may face internal leadership challenges, urged those outside the new alliance to take part as he spoke at a mosque where his father's casket was taken after the airport.
"I appeal to the dear brothers, those who haven't made their decision to join to the coalition. I ask them to reconsider their decision," he said.
ISCI and Maliki's Dawa party swept to power in 2005 polls as part of a broad Shi'ite coalition, but over the past year wrangling over alliances has intensified against a backdrop of continued violence that, as U.S. forces prepare to withdraw, raises doubts about the durability of Iraq's security gains.
Some analysts believe political jostling could intensify violence ahead of the parliamentary elections.
Hakim was born in 1950 and took over ISCI after his elder brother was killed in a car bomb in 2003.
Founded in Iran in exile during Sunni Arab dictator Saddam Hussein's rule, ISCI derives much support from the Hakim family name, revered among Shi'ites for its lineage of scholars and sacrifice in the face of assaults by Saddam and other violence.
(Reporting by Waleed Ibrahim and Khalid al-Ansary, writing by Mohammed Abbas: Editing by Missy Ryan and Charles Dick
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
US warned Scotland bomber could get hero's welcomeAP - Saturday, August 29
UN 'alarmed' at immigrant detention site in GreeceAP - Saturday, August 29
Rural Va. sheriff pleads guilty to racketeeringAP - Saturday, August 29
Kennedy aides use Twitter to update the publicAP - Saturday, August 29
Not a baa-d price: Record fee for Scottish ramAP - Saturday, August 29
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Kidnapped US girl walks into police station 18 years on
Boeing delays 787 Dreamliner first delivery to late 2010
Microsoft apologizes for photo gaffe
AIG extends improbable rally as bears squeezed
Stanford group finance officer admits huge fraud
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 29 August 2009 Iceland to pay back Icesave cash
Chip maker Intel raises revenue forecast
Iran slows nuclear work but pressed on bomb suspicions
| International
|
Iraqis mourn death of key Shi'ite party leader
Tick saliva could hold cancer cure: Brazilian scientists
Big Blue dreams of a big green battery
Dutch court blocks girl's solo global sailing bid
Nixon enlisted secret service to spy on Ted Kennedy
Iran president wants opposition leaders punished
U.S. unveils new rules on border searches of laptops
Eulogies for Iraqi Shiite leader reflect worries
Scots divided over release of Lockerbie bomber
| International
|
South America tries to ease rift over U.S. military
| International
|
IAEA extends probe of alleged secret Syria atom site
| International
|
Flixster's Movies aims to connect film fans
| Technology
|
Opposition looks to reshape Japanese economy
Flat incomes raise doubts about economic recovery
NKorea to free SKorean fishermen as tensions ease
Obama's aging czar sees issue as unifying force
Ohio soldier made 2 calls to mom telling of abuse
Fla. governor taps ex-aide to replace US senator
Australia debates whether Aboriginal policy racist
Kennedy memorial speakers include family, friends
Dozens hurt by ammonia leak at Calif. meat plant
South American leaders attack US bases plan
Malaysia Muslims protest proposed Hindu temple
August deadliest month for US in Afghanistan
Myanmar fighting forces up to 30,000 to flee to China
California governor declares wildfire emergency
Officials close public viewing for Sen. Kennedy
China urges Myanmar to end conflict in border area
US service member killed in Afghanistan
Coroner: Slain pastor had gashes to neck, chest
India sentences Muslim militant to life in prison
AP NewsAlert
AIG's Taiwan unit gets three low bids-sources
Apple seals deal to bring iPhones coming to China
China Shenhua says 1H profit up 14 pct
iPhones coming to China after Apple, Unicom deal
China shares drop on worries liquidity might fall
PetroChina says 1H profit down 7.2 percent
Mary Mary still going strong 9 years later
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Court throws out FCC cable ownership limit
Jackson death a homicide, criminal charge possible
| Entertainment
|
Charges against Japanese artist dropped in NYC
Label has high hopes for Whitney Houston comeback
| Entertainment
|
Chesney, Swift, Sugarland to appear on ABC special
Idol champ Kris Allen sets release date for album
| Entertainment
|
Gypsy trio criticizes booing of Madonna
Big screen evolves to compete with small
Flixster's Movies aims to connect film fans
| Entertainment
|
Fay Weldon paints bleak picture of future in novel
| Entertainment
|
Dutch court blocks girl's solo global sailing bid
Iran has slowed uranium output: UN agency
Iran slows nuclear pace but bomb suspicions grow
| International
|
Internet Age re-inventing music business: Bandwidth
Michael Jackson's death homicide: coroner
Iran slows nuclear work but pressed on bomb suspicions
Argentina to adopt Japanese standard for HDTV
Taiwan president has no plans to meet Dalai Lama
| International
|
IAEA extends probe of alleged secret Syria atom site
Candidates woo voters on eve of Japan election
| International
|
US envoy in 'testy' election meeting with Karzai
Eulogies for Iraqi Shiite leader reflect worries
Fresh Myanmar fighting erupts, one dead in China
| International
|
Suicide bomber kills four in northern Iraq
| International
|
Ahmadinejad says Iran opposition leaders should be punished
South American rift persists over US-Colombia deal
| International
|
Australian navy intercepts suspected asylum seekers
| International
|
Candidates make final pitch on eve of Japan election
5 dead, 18 missing after ferry sinks in Indonesia
SKorea ready to receive fishermen from NKorea: police
Central Beijing shut off for National Day rehearsals
Foster parents arrested in disappearance of boy
NZealander tells of mid-Pacific sailing nightmare
AP NewsAlert
China Unicom in 3-year deal for Apple's iPhone
| Technology
|
Alleged leader of Phillipine kidnapping extradited
Mexico: anti-Mexican discrimination in US growing
Cricket: Hussey's century helps Australia shake off Ashes agony
Pakistani court: Lift curbs on nuclear scientist
Questions arise over how kidnapper went undetected
DJ AM, who battled drug habit, found dead in NYC
Congressman: Gadhafi won't stay in Englewood, NJ
Boy goes missing in rough NC surf caused by Danny
Utahns can now practice DUI jail call
China comes to Canary Wharf company's rescue
China to scrap higher tariffs on auto parts imports: US
DJ AM found dead in New York apartment
| Entertainment
|
Noel Gallagher quits Oasis
| Entertainment
|
Spanish album an unexpected Plan for Furtado
| Entertainment
|
DJ AM, who battled drug habit, found dead in NYC
Noel Gallagher quits British rock group Oasis
Clapton, Hornsby to perform on new Leno show
Noel Gallagher quits Oasis
Last chapter arrives for 'Reading Rainbow' on PBS
Kelly Preston: 'Too soon' to talk about losing son
`Always Sunny' live tour adds second Philly show
Jackson death ruled homicide, focus on doctor
Mexico expects 15,000 dancers for 'Thriller' dance
Isolde alone cannot save this production
Second black box of crashed Yemenia jet retrieved
US shuttle Discovery lifts off
Karzai extends Afghan vote lead; run-off indicated
| International
|
Wall Street confidence rising but Sept peril looms
Bombs in northern Iraq kill at least 15
Pakistan holds Mumbai conspirators' trial in secrecy
| International
|
Lockerbie bomber says backs call for inquiry
| International
|
12 killed, over 40 wounded in northern Iraq attacks
North Korea returns South fishermen after a month
| International
|
Lawyer says Iraqi shoe thrower to be released
Iranian FM Mottaki in Baghdad
Iran says report confirms atomic work peaceful
| International
|
Afghan vote fraud claims gather momentum
Peacekeeping civilians kidnapped in Darfur
| International
|
Obama: No turf wars, red tape in Katrina recovery
India loses communication with lunar satellite
Pakistan court delays case against Mumbai suspects
Lockerbie bomber backs inquiry into attack
3 killed, 17 wounded in restive southern Thailand
Space shuttle blasts off, finally flying on try 3
Pakistan holds Mumbai conspirators' trial in secrecy
1 killed, 17 wounded in restive southern Thailand
SC GOP reps to discuss impeaching philandering gov
Michael Jackson's death homicide: coroner
Taiwan stresses no politics in Dalai Lama visit
North Korea frees 4 South Korean fishermen
Funeral Mass for fallen senator begins in Boston
Philippine Muslim extradited to US for kidnap
US has alternative to Europe missile sites: report
Wounded CBS journalist at hospital in Afghanistan
Pakistan sets 10 bln rupees target for Islamic bond
Pakistani c.bank buys 22 bln rupees of govt paper
Opposition looks to reshape Japanese economy
Jackson death ruled homicide, focus on doctor
| Entertainment
|
Free download Bollywood tribute to Michael Jackson
Spanish album an unexpected "Plan" for Furtado
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights