'Sayyid says': Influential Shiite cleric's supporters boycott Iraq vote

Not far from a polling station, when asked what they were up to, a group of men exclaimed in unison: "We are boycotting on the orders of Sayyid", a reference to the 52-year-old cleric, who has always shown a particular prowess for mobilising -- or demobilising -- loyalists.

Sadr first announced the boycott months ago, and has since released several statements accusing the political class of corruption and resisting reforms.

"Out of love and obedience, I am boycotting the election on Sayyid Moqtada Sadr's orders," said one of the men near the polling place, Hatem Kazem, 28, who closed his car accessories shop and took the day off.

"We are boycotting to bring about change," he added

"We lack good hospitals or schools. We just want to be like other countries."

- 'Family day' -

Sadr, whose photo is displayed on walls all across the district that bears his family's name, retains a devoted following of millions among Iraq's majority Shiite population.

At his call, his supporters fill the streets, and disperse within minutes when he tells them to withdraw.

In the days leading up to the vote, he issued almost daily messages addressed to supporters and rivals alike, such as: "May those already tested not be tested again," and "God, do not make me one of the corrupt." 

On Monday, a close associate quoted him as advising his supporters to only leave home on election day out of "absolute necessity".

"Let your day be a family day," he told them.

Many heeded the call and responded on social media, where videos circulated showing men cooking or cleaning the dishes.

Taxi driver Dia Hassib, 45, said he was boycotting not only because Sadr said so, but also because there has been no improvement in the country, which suffers from poor infrastructure and failing public services.

"The same poverty and no jobs," he said, adding that Sadr's "path is correct -- we are boycotting because nothing is changing".

In 2021, Sadr's bloc emerged from elections as the biggest parliamentary faction. But soon after, he withdrew from parliament over a dispute with rival Shiite parties that culminated in deadly fighting in Baghdad.

- 'If he says die, we die' -

Sadr, who once led a militia against American and Iraqi government forces, has made several reversals over the years, and he has announced on several occasions that he is withdrawing from politics.

His family history has made him beloved among many Iraqis. He is the son of Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Sadek Sadr, whom former dictator Saddam Hussein had assassinated in 1999.

Despite opposing various governments and their backers, Sadr has always had allies at the highest levels of ministries and other institutions.

To his followers, meanwhile, he is a champion of the fight against corruption.

Abbas Ali, a 21-year-old tuk-tuk driver, said "our country is wealthy but corruption is rampant and young people can't find jobs".

"I burned my voting card," he added, saying he was answering Sadr's call. 

"Whatever the Sayyid says, we do. If he says die, we die. If he says live, we live."

rh/smw