Against Death Threats Shiite Cleric Tackles Corruption in Iraq and Lebanon
Over the past few years, Sheikh Y,asser Auda, has gained a reputation for criticizing corruption in Iraq and Lebanon on social media. The Associated Press reported that he vowed to not bow down even if it cost him his life, and also spoke out against violence against opponents of Iran-backed groups in both countries.
A department of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council of Lebanon, the country's top Shiite religious authority, issued a statement two days ago naming 15 clerics it said were not qualified to offer religious guidance. At the top of the list, Auda was almost stripped of his religious status.
The council later issued a statement saying that the General Directorate for Religious Advocacy's position did not reflect its own.
In the sitting room of Auda's modest apartment in Beirut's predominantly Shiite southern suburb, Mreijeh, he said, "I do not recognize the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council of Lebanon." In an apparent reference to the council, Auda said he opposes corruption by politicians protected by religious authorities.
Among the clerics who hope to lead the council one day, he blamed competition among them for their divisions regarding his statement about being unqualified to provide religious guidance.
Auda made one of the harshest comments to go viral on social media late last month, angering both Lebanese and Iraqi politicians. The man said, “Anyone who defends, even for one word, any legislator, Cabinet minister, or leader in Lebanon or Iraq is a liar, corrupt, and a partner with them.”
"This speech was widely spread in Iraq and angered politicians and profiteers, especially Shiites," Auda said, wondering how the oil-rich country could have a crumbling infrastructure and a poverty rate of 80%.
Additionally, he attacked some of the religious leaders in the Hawza, the seminary in the Iraqi Shiite holy city of Najaf, angering influential figures there.
Iraqi officials in Baghdad have told the AP that some religious leaders in Najaf requested Auda not to make public statements. A senior member of an Iranian-backed group and a politician sent complaints to Beirut through Hezbollah's Iraq representative, Sheikh Mohammed Kawtharani, demanding Auda should be ignored.
Hezbollah denies any involvement in Auda's case, saying The Supreme Islamic Shiite Council of Lebanon is in charge. Both Iraqi officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about religious matters.
According to Auda, Hezbollah and the Shiite Amal group of powerful Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri put great pressure on him in Lebanon. He referred to them as the "Shiite Duo" who "strictly prohibit any criticism."
In 2019, Auda supported anti-corruption protests in Iraq and Lebanon, which were put down mostly by Iran-backed Shiite groups in Iraq and by Amal and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“I am disliked by the Shiite Duo because I accuse them of mismanagement, failure, and corruption in the country by signing on all laws that waste public money,” he said, referring to decades of corruption and mismanagement that led to Lebanon's worst economic crisis in modern times.
Auda says the latest attacks against him, including the statement from the General Directorate for Religious Advocacy, are "moral killings."
Auda said he is not afraid of death when asked if he fears for his life.
"I'm ready to pay the price, but don't hurt my family. That's all I want," he said.
