Baghdad: The leader of the Sadrist Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, has called the Friday prayer a 'thorn in the eyes' of various oppressive forces. In a central Friday sermon, al-Sadr criticized colonizers, occupiers, corrupt officials, oppressors, terrorists, and those influenced by American and Zionist pressures, underscoring the symbolic value of the prayer in resisting these forces.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Sadr, in a written message distributed during the sermon, highlighted the enduring role of the Friday prayer as a symbol of resistance and defiance. He asserted that it continues to unsettle those who aim to weaken or dominate society. Al-Sadr warned that the religious doctrine now faces significant threats due to corruption and external pressures.

Al-Sadr further elaborated on the threats facing the religious doctrine, stating that corruption, theft, and the obsession with power have undermined its foundation. He expressed concerns about the imminent danger from both internal and external sources, pointing out that 'normalization and the Abrahamic religion are at the doorstep,' and lamented the mislabeling of fighters as terrorists while terrorists are befriended.

In his concluding remarks, al-Sadr noted that corruption has become a characteristic for some, and injustice a method, even among those claiming affiliation with the al-Sadr family. He emphasized a firm disavowal of such individuals 'until the Day of Judgment.'