In Baghdad’s Sadr City, cleric’s support underpins protests

By SAMYA KULLAB
Associated Press

BAGHDAD (AP) — Residents of the impoverished Baghdad suburb of Sadr City say they support an influential Shiite cleric who called on thousands of his followers to storm Iraq’s parliament. One of the cleric’s supporters, Khalil Ibrahim, said on Thursday that his four sons participated in the parliament sit-in. Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr derives his political weight largely from the seemingly unending support of men such as Ibrahim and his sons. And yet, al-Sadr’s followers are among Iraq’s most destitute. Most complain of inadequate basic services, including electricity, in the scorching summer-time heat. Many feel hopeful their lot will change through al-Sadr’s stated quest for reforms.