Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir Al-Sadr
The Flag Of Islam
I have spent all of my life promoting unity and brotherhood between Shi‘is and Sunnis. I have defended and supported all of their messages conducive to unity and every belief that they have embraced. I am a brother and son of the Sunnis to the same extent that I am a brother and son of Shi‘is1.
From the time I knew myself and discovered my responsibility within the community I have endeavoured to bring Shia’is together with the Sunni Arabs and Kurds. I would stand up to defend and support every message that could bring them together, and every belief that would bring them closer and of one accord. With all my thought and my being, I have lived completely for Islam, the very Islam that is the Path of Salvation and the goal of all2.
Half a century ago, Shi‘i ‘ulama grasped the flag of Islam and issued fatawa of jihad to help Sunni sovereignties. Hundreds of thousands of Shi‘is went to war and were unstinting as their blood soaked the ground; this was to protect the flag of Islam by supporting a Sunni government which was standing for Islam3.
