BAGHDAD: Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq’s highest Shiite religious authority, issued a religious ruling on Sunday stating that supporting Iran during the current crisis constitutes a “collective duty” for Muslims. The fatwa comes amid escalating regional tensions triggered by ongoing US–Israeli military actions against Iran.
In his ruling, Sistani called on Muslims to gather in public squares and mosques in demonstrations expressing solidarity with Iran and the Islamic system. The cleric emphasized that maintaining the stability of the Islamic system and countering what he described as “division conspiracies” requires widespread public engagement, framing participation as a collective religious obligation.
The fatwa was issued in response to a question regarding the permissibility and religious merit of assembling in public to confront sabotage, protect public property, uphold moral values, and frustrate the expectations of adversaries during the ongoing crisis.
Sistani’s influence extends far beyond religious guidance. In 2014, his fatwa against the ISIS led to the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi youths and the formation of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to support the Iraqi army.
The cleric’s latest directive comes amid a sharp military escalation in the region. Since February 28, US and Israeli strikes in Iran have reportedly killed hundreds, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior security officials. In retaliation, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, as well as US interests in the Gulf, Jordan, and Iraq.
Several attacks have caused civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, prompting condemnation from Arab nations that have called for restraint and warned against further escalation.
Sistani’s fatwa signals a call for public unity and religiously sanctioned solidarity with Iran as the conflict continues to intensify in the region.