Representative of sayyid EsSistani: Iraqis experiencing chaos and viewing it as freedom, calls for social immunity

In Friday’s sermon the representative of the Shia Muslim Supreme Religious Authority, sayyid Ahmed EsSafi, delivered at the Imam Hussain Shrine on January 25, 2019, he called on people to look after their families and maintain ethics.

EsSafi said looking after family and maintaining ethics are some of principles that religion calls for.

He added that the head of a family is responsible for their family’s upbringing, and a teacher is responsible for their students; a teacher is a link between family and school.

He expressed deep regret for the dangerous atmosphere the Iraqi society is experiencing nowadays.

He also said, “For everyone who realizes danger in their family and society must deal with it within their permissible limits,” noting that everyone can take a certain social responsibility, such as preaching, advising, or making decisions to make the society better.

EsSafi shed light on an important matter, saying, “There is a difference between freedom and chaos; some people misunderstand the two concepts—freedom is a set of rules people comply with, and one is not allowed to do whatever they desire under the pretext of freedom, and there is no such concept.

He indicated that freedom doesn’t mean one can do anything, saying, “One can’t park their car in front of another person’s house or in the middle of the street, for the person has no right to do that, and in doing so, they will be subject to ridicule.”

EsSafi added further that Iraqis are experiencing chaos now, and some people think it is freedom.

He then called for social immunity to prevent the country from deteriorating and to end aberrant behaviors.

“Any person has the right to walk, live, and no-one has the right to wrong them. A father has the right to upbring his child, and no-one has the right to interfere that upbringing—respectful people are respectable,” said further EsSafi.

He noted that one of the issues affecting the Iraqi people now is that when a problem occurs, the aggrieved party threatens the aggressor and their family and ask them to abandon the place the live in. EsSafi mentioned that Iraq enjoys values, a great culture, and traditions, and such qualities should never be forgotten.

Another issue EsSafi addressed was that parents complain about the effect of chaos affecting their children’s behavior, calling for laws that control chaos and spread the sense of freedom.

EsSafi concluded, “Please, people, take care of this issue; it is everyone’s responsibility—no one is exempt. Look after the society, its principles and values. Don’t overlook this issue, and don’t let your children get used to this chaos – but teach them freedom and its safeguards.”

 

Editing: Wela’ EsSeffar

Translation: Mohammed ElObaidi

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