In honour of the 7th year anniversary of the issuance of the Jihad Kifa’ee Fatwa by Ayatollah Sistani, below is a thread highlighting some of the key points from my Master’s dissertation that was completed in 2018.

This will be quite a long read, so get ready. Background:

My dissertation looked at the role that the Shi’a Marja’iyah has played in Iraq’s sectarianised atmosphere, with a specific focus on the 2014 fatwa.

Thread:

The long expected meeting:

Translation of Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's statement after meeting with Pope Francis (@Pontifex). In the name of God the Most Merciful and Most Beneficent

This morning [6th March, 2021], His Eminence Ayatollah Sistani met with the Supreme Pontiff (Pope Francis), the Pope of the Catholic Church and Head of State of the Vatican.

Since there has been a lot of debate surrounding the issue of the office of Ayatollah #Sistani allegedly giving 1 billion dollars to fight COVID-19 in #Iran, I have decided to make a long detailed thread explaining how the system of Marja’iyah works from a financial side. Keep in mind I will not be questioning the authenticity of the donation, because as of right now, there is only one source claiming this, and thus can not be taken as gospel.

Nonetheless, the thread continues.

Important statement by Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's office in regards to the upcoming Muharram season, in which Shi'a Muslims will observe and mourn the martyrdom of Imam Husain.

Will highlight a few key points in the thread below:

sistani.org/arabic/archive… - There are many ways in which the believers can display their sadness and mourning for Imam Husain (as):

1. TV Channels and social media platforms should increase in broadcasting useful lectures commemorating this tragedy.

Key points from Ayatollah Sistani's statement dated 7.2.2020 (thread):

Translators note: The Marja'iyah divided the statement into two parts:

a. Recent violent attacks on protesters
b. The latest political developments. a:

1. Firstly, despite the repeated calls made by the Marja'iyah on the need to reject violence & keep the protests peaceful [and away] from actions that harm people's interest and that lose the solidarity of the people

Key points from Ayatollah Sistani's statement dated 31.1.2020 (thread)

1. Four months have passed since the popular movement [protests] began to demand reform, and the elimination of corruption from the country's government and institutions. 2. During this time period a lot of innocent blood was spilled and thousands of citizens were injured. More clashes are taking place to this day, which is resulting in more innocent victims being hurt.

Key points from Ayatollah Sistani's statement dated 24.1.2020 (thread)

1. The Marja'iyah reiterates its position on the necessity of respecting sovereignty, independence and unity. 2. Citizens have complete freedom to express - by any peaceful means - their position in this regard these issues. They are are also free to demand what they find necessary to maintain sovereignty away from foreign influences.

Key points from Ayatollah Sistani's statement dated 3.1.2020 (thread)

1. The country is approaching a very steep and dangerous turn

2. From the offensive attack on al-Qaim, which led to the martyrdom of many of our volunteer sons... (contd.) (1) ... to the sorrowful events that took place in Baghdad over the past few days, and finally the tyrannical incident near Baghdad Airport last night, which led to the martyrdom of heroes who participated in the victory operations against ISIS... (contd.) (2)