Hawzah News Agency- In his political sermon on Friday, October 30, 2026, Ayatollah Mousavi addressed topics including the relationship between religious belief and patriotism, the concept of Iraqi identity, Iraq-Iran relations, and the conduct of certain political currents—which he accused of submitting to US pressure.

He stressed that Iraq cannot be separated from its Islamic identity, Muslim faith, and religious authority, criticizing the instrumental use of nationalism and patriotism in a way that weakens the historical and doctrinal ties of the Iraqi people to the Ahlul Bayt (AS) and other Islamic nations.

Battle of Concepts and Identity

Ayatollah Mousavi said the idea that Iraq should be served regardless of religion, sect, ethnicity, or party—and the question of whether patriotism takes precedence over religious belief in case of conflict—requires a re-examination of concepts and a determination of their intellectual foundations and references, rather than being taken as self-evident and beyond discussion.

Referring to his experience in the 1990s, he spoke of writing the book “Molāḥaẓāt” in defense of Muslim belief and of an assassination attempt against him due to his positions and writings. He called for broader discussion and debate about prevalent political and intellectual concepts and an examination of their validity and legitimacy.

Nationalism and Patriotism on the Scales of History

Ayatollah Mousavi said nationalism and patriotism in their modern political form emerged in specific historical circumstances, and that dividing Islamic societies into limited ethnic and national identities has contributed to weakening the concept of a single Islamic Ummah.

Raising the question of what reference should be consulted to determine the correctness of political concepts, he stressed that the criterion should not be the positions of politicians and media activists, but the Holy Quran and Ahlul Bayt (AS) teachings.

He also referred to the concept of “Dar al-Islam” in Islamic jurisprudential heritage, noting that Islamic identity and belonging are broader than contemporary political and ethnic borders.

Martyr Mohammad Baqer al-Sadr and the Sykes-Picot Borders

Ayatollah Mousavi referred to the position of Martyr Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Baqer al-Sadr in supporting the Islamic Revolution in Iran, saying al-Sadr defended his position based on belief in the unity of the Islamic Ummah and did not consider borders drawn by colonial powers—including under the Sykes-Picot agreement—as a basis for severing ties between Muslim nations.

He stressed that opposing these borders as barriers to communication between nations does not mean calling for Iraq’s subordination to another country; rather, the aim is to preserve Iraq’s independence while safeguarding its religious and historical relations with other Islamic nations.

Iraq and Its Historical Depth in the Ahlul Bayt (AS) School

Ayatollah Mousavi stressed Iraq’s special place in the conscience and belief of Shias worldwide, saying the country’s holy cities are deeply tied to Ahlul Bayt (AS) history, and the presence of the holy shrines of the Infallible Imams and seminary centers has given Iraq a special status.

Referring to the status of Najaf, Karbala, and Samarra, he said pilgrimage to Imam Hussain (AS) and the sacred soil of Karbala holds religious and spiritual value for Shias around the world.

Ayatollah Mousavi noted that the Iraqi people’s bond with the Ahlul Bayt (AS) is not merely geographic but rooted in a deep and firm historical and doctrinal extension that cannot be separated from the identity and history of Iraqi society.

Opposition to Severing Iraq-Iran Ties

Ayatollah Mousavi criticized discourses that portray Iraq-Iran relations as a confrontation between two contradictory identities, saying the aim of these currents is to weaken religious and social bonds between the two nations.

He referred to the presence of Iranian fighters and commanders alongside Iraqi forces and Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) in the battle against the Daesh terrorist group.

Ayatollah Mousavi stressed that defending Iraq’s national sovereignty does not mean severing ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, because relations between the two countries go beyond limited political calculations and rest on deep religious, historical, and social bonds.

Criticism of Pilgrim Restrictions and US Pressure

Ayatollah Mousavi also addressed restrictions imposed on pilgrims of Imam Hussain (AS), criticizing certain measures and limitations related to flights and land borders. He stressed that such restrictions should not be used to pressure pilgrims or as a tool to pressure Iraq-Iran relations.

In another part of his remarks, the Baghdad Friday prayer leader directed sharp criticism at certain political currents, accusing them of submitting to American will and prioritizing personal and partisan interests over those of citizens.

He referred to rising prices, the deteriorating living conditions of the people, and the heavier burden of economic problems, while criticizing the accumulation of wealth by some officials.