Political role of Shia Authority in Iraq

Iraq, which is cradle, holy lands and center of Shiism since the first years of the Islam, is identified with Shiism. Shiites were treated as second-class citizens after Kerbela incident and Shiism transformed into an opposition movement throughout the history. In the near future, increase in tendency of Shia Authority to have an active role in politics emerged towards the end of 19th century, and Shia Authority became dominant power in the country in the early of 20th century.Since Shiites form the majority of population of Iraq, Shia Authority is always seen as primary factor for strategic balance in Iraq. As well as spiritual leadership of Shiites in the world, Shia Authority is determiner of political behaviours of Iraq?s Shiites and is principal factor that forms political balance in Iraq.Shiites living within the borders of Iraq nation-state lived under suppression of successive Sunni Arab rulers holding the political power from end of First World War to early 2003, and despotic policies performed by Sunni Arabs against Shiites caused Shiites to be excluded from political life of Iraq. Oppressive policies became more severe when Baas party came to the power. These exclusionary policies triggered Shiites to organize against Sunni rulers as an opposing power. Shiites, reacting as civic struggle at first, resorted to violence since the suppression was intensified during Baas power.Shiites are principal actors during invasion of Iraq by USA in 2003 and during restructuring process after the invasion. Iraq?s Shiites has had such a powerful position for central administration since foundation of the country through the gains obtained after 2003 for the first time. Shia Authority advocated protection of the rights through a constitutional, democratic, pluralist system, as well as restructuring of Iraq, termination of the invasion immediately, providing security and stability and representation of all ethnic and religious groups. It assumed a more rational attitude to realize these objectives and exhibited a attitude within the frame of a pragmatist political discourse.The attitude of Shia Authority has a highly important place on success rate of USA in the development after the invasion of Iraq, security, political stability of the country, not falling into civil war, restructuring and protection of integrity, and all İraqi politicians need opinions from the modest Sistani?s house at Nejaf. In Iraq where there has not been political stability and security after 2003, Shia Authority has served as a relief valve in Iraq, due to its high political and social strength.Keywords:1.Iraq2.Shiites3.Shia Authority