ISIS Wiped Out, Mosul Now Faces Shia-Sunni Contest Over Religious Properties
Iraq's Sunni Endowment (Waqf) Office has accused their Shia counterparts of usurping several of the religious properties, including mosques and madrassas, since the government in Baghdad is dominated by a Shia leadership.
Baghdad, July 31: After the wipeout of Islamic State (ISIS) militants from the Iraqi town of Mosul, a fresh challenge has come to the fore pitting the Shia and Sunni communities against each other. The sectarian battle has emerged over the claimancy of religious properties, which were seized by the terrorists during their tenure.
Iraq's Sunni Endowment (Waqf) Office has accused their Shia counterparts of usurping several of the religious properties, including mosques and madrassas, since the government in Baghdad is dominated by a Shia leadership. Iraq: 10 Islamic State Militants Killed By US-Led Coalition Aircraft
Most of the contested religious sites in Mosul, prior to the destabilisation of Iraq in 2003 war, were managed by the Sunni Waqf board, claim officials representing the group.
After the takeover by Daesh, the takfiris (extremists) had taken over them. Several shrines which they alleged to be against the puritanical version of Islam were also demolished.
Locals, including Sunnis and Shias, are in favour of a neutral and peaceful resolution of the dispute. However, they have expressed skepticism as the central government in Baghdad, along with the local administration in Mosul, is majorly controlled by the Shias.
A lot of the decision-making by the incumbent Iraqi administration, allege Sunni groups, is motivated by the sentiment of retribution as the Shias were persecuted under former late dictator Saddam Hussein's tenure.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2019 09:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).