Volume 13 , May 2025 , Pages 44- 62
The Shiite religious authority represents an unofficial religious power with extensive influence in Iraq. Despite its lack of direct involvement in the political process or governance, it is regarded as a refuge to which people turn during all critical crises and pivotal conflicts experienced by the country. In this research, in addition to reviewing the background of the supreme Shiite authority, Ali al-Sistani, his positions toward the Kurdish and Sunni communities during the period from 2003 to 2018 are analyzed. This historical era includes a number of decisive milestones, such as the restructuring of the Iraqi state, the ratification of the constitution, the sectarian war, ongoing disputes between Baghdad and Erbil, and the Kurdistan Region independence referendum.
The study also addresses the implications of the authority’s opinions and fatwas, and their impact on coexistence and relations among the various Iraqi components, by analyzing the historical context in which these positions emerged.
The research methodology is primarily based on the descriptive-analytical approach, while taking into account the chronological sequence of events and positions (the historical method), which contributes to presenting a comprehensive and integrated perspective on the research topic.
Keywords: Religious authority, Sistani, Kurds, Sunnis, coexistence