The leader of the "Sadrist Movement" in Iraq, Muqtada al-Sadr, announced the suspension of the Sadrist Movement starting tonight, with the exception of Friday prayers, the Heritage Authority, and "the shrine of the martyr" for at least a year. Al-Sadr stated in a statement: "It is a sin for me to be a reformer for Iraq while I cannot reform the Sadrist Movement. To continue leading the movement, when it contains people of the cause and some corrupt individuals, as well as some grave sins, is a serious matter."
He added: "Therefore, I find it necessary to suspend the entire movement, except for Friday prayers, the Heritage Authority, and the shrine of the martyr for a duration of no less than a year, to declare my innocence from all that before my Lord first and my parents second." Al-Sadr also mentioned that he will close the shrine of his father until after Eid al-Fitr, with these decisions to be implemented immediately from this blessed night.
