The leader of the National Shiite Movement, Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr, addressed a political and national message on Wednesday to the United States of America. In an official statement published on the occasion, Sayyid al-Sadr defined himself, saying: "I, the Iraqi
citizen Muqtada al-Sadr, direct this message to America, a message of resistance when you imposed your occupation on my country, and a message of a citizen when you withdrew from my country." He emphasized: "Yes, we resisted you just as
we will resist anyone who occupies our country. We are not hostile to anyone, but the independence of the country is above all considerations. Yes, we confronted you while shielding ourselves with the love of the homeland, untainted by the
love of worldly gains and spoils. We were not terrorist opponents, nor were you Daesh opponents." He added, clarifying: "If you want to turn a page, let us turn it with justice, fairness, without arrogance or haughtiness. If you claim
that you liberated Iraq from the criminal and his henchmen, then you must not deal with us according to his methods, otherwise the Iraqi people might well believe that they have replaced a mouse with a cat. We want to
build our country with complete freedom and independence, away from all external interventions, whether eastern or western, northern or southern, and free from corruption and dependency." He stressed: "We refuse to let Iraq become an arena for your political and
economic conflicts. We are not obliged to defend anyone or to fight on anyone's behalf. However, after your positive withdrawal step from Iraq, you are invited to improve America's image in the eyes of the oppressed in the Middle East
so that your flag is not trampled once again. This can only happen if America takes a stance of moderation toward everyone, without leaning toward the spoiled daughter or anyone else. It behooves the superpower to be conscious and a
patron of peace, not an instigator of strife and wars." The movement leader continued: "We Iraqis want to live with our neighbors in security, safety, and peace, and to nurture the interests of those who nurture our interests with friendliness
and harmony. Moreover, it does not befit one who claims to be a superpower to impose its control over nations, nor should its sole wish be its own elevation at the expense of oppressed nations and destitute peoples, controlling their
governments, livelihoods, and destinies." He further stated: "And know that we are followers of Prince Ali, peace be upon him, who said: 'My companions and I are neither eastern nor western.' We are, as he said, 'the pioneers of the
pole.' Iraq is the capital of the doctrine, the capital of Ali, peace be upon him, who famously said: 'People are of two types: either your brother in religion or your equal in creation.' We are not among those who
say that Muhammad or Ali came with slaughter. We will not be followers of you or anyone else; we are followers of Muhammad, Ali, and the prophets, especially the resolute ones among them, peace and blessings of God be upon
them all." He concluded by saying: "We will not accept from America, nor from anyone else, a condescending approach, but rather a fair diplomatic approach. Thus, your flag will not be trampled, nor will you trample our dignity and independence.
It is shameful of your governance that you wanted to liberate a country only to subjugate, humiliate, and turn it into an arena for war, conflict, and external interference. We are not Venezuela, and we will not side with moral
decay or extremism." He added: "If all of this is for the sake of normalizing relations with your friend, then let your friend normalize relations with the entire world. Its reputation has been tarnished, and the United Nations hall has
become devoid of anyone willing to listen to your friend! It has become isolated, turning its back on all human and international values despite claiming democracy and freedom. Understand what I say: many have lost their authority and influence due
to the misdeeds of their proxies and the wicked actions of their proxies in any region. And if your spoiled daughter in the Middle East is your proxy, you reap nothing but the loss of sympathy and grandeur. Indeed, the
spoiled daughter will be a source of annoyance to you domestically and internationally. Grandeur and good conduct are not achieved by having many wicked proxies, nor by weapons and military arsenals, but by justice and fairness. Justice is the foundation
of governance, or else your globalization will not endure." Sayyid al-Sadr concluded his message: "Finally, I say: I hope that the peace-loving American people will be blessed with a peace-loving government. Peace be upon the lovers of peace, and the
mercy and blessings of God be upon you."
