However, Sunni scholar Abdul Hakim al-Saadi strongly doubts the effectiveness of the measures. He told Al-Monitor, “This move is misleading and only blinds us when — in reality — Iraqi politics are grounded in sectarianism and apportionment.”
The slogans raised in Karbala were not only religious but also political. Some people took advantage of the visit to write political messages in Farsi on the walls around the streets of the province, attacking Saudi Arabia and the United States.
By writing such slogans on street walls, some Iranian visitors were trying to earn Iraqis’ friendship and share their “anger” at Saudi Arabia, which represents the regional Arab-Sunni axis. Yet the Iraqi public rejected this move.
Activist Ebrahym al-Fraty told Al-Monitor, “The slogans raised against the Sahaba [companions of the prophet], the United States and Saudi Arabia were solely meant to push Iraq to issues that would worsen its crises and benefit other countries.”
The Interior Ministry is trying to deal seriously with instigators of sectarianism, according to its spokesman, Brig. Gen. Saad Maan. “This spiteful and extremist discourse is only the start of instability and wars. From now on, the ministry will not be passive toward anyone who tries to stir tensions," Maan told Al-Monitor.
The ministry’s new inclination might put it at odds with some extremist Shiite religious leaders who have popularized insults against Sunni figures.
Shiite religious figure Taha al-Batata said there is no systematic approach among Shiites to insult the Sahaba and their symbols, and during an interview with Al-Monitor he praised the Interior Ministry’s measures.
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