Muqtada al-Sadr invites public to Mawlid event in Kufa, bans politicians

NAJAF, Iraq — Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Shia National Movement, issued a public invitation on Monday to a central commemoration marking the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. In a written statement, al-Sadr said the central Mawlid al-Nabi program will be held at the Kufa Mosque on the night of 17 Rabi al-Awwal, which falls on a Monday. The statement also called on Muslims to visit the shrine of Ali ibn Abi Talib that same night. Al-Sadr instructed those responsible for organizing the celebration to take the necessary measures and run the event in the best possible manner. Al-Sadr added that, as in previous years, participation in the event will be kept free of politicians. He said the decision was aimed at allowing the program to proceed in a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.