IRAQ WRAPUP 2-Clerics use Friday prayers to urge big Iraqi vote

"FALLUJA, Iraq, Dec 9 (Reuters) - From the pulpits of mosques across Iraq at Friday prayers, clerics urged worshippers to cast their votes in next week's election, setting up a mass turnout in a ballot that has polarised the nation on sectarian lines.

In Falluja, renowned "City of Mosques" and former seat of revolt against U.S. occupation, Sunni Muslim spiritual leaders made clear there would be no repeat of the boycott of January's election which left their minority marginalised.

In the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf, preachers reminded the faithful that only voting on Dec. 15 would ensure the long-oppressed majority community retained the upper hand.

Across the sectarian divide there was hope the parliament, the first fully empowered body since U.S. forces overthrew Saddam Hussein nearly three years ago, may finally mean the departure of those American troops.

Some appealed for the release of Western hostages, including four -- two Canadians, a Briton and an American -- whose captors have threatened to execute them on Saturday unless all prisoners are freed from Iraqi jails.

Others urged Iraqis to forget the trial of Saddam, which gripped millions of television viewers during three theatrical hearings this week, and concentrate on the election issues at hand -- the economy, public services, sectarianism and the state's fight against a belligerent Sunni-led insurgency.

Some clerics infused their sermons with messages of support for specific parties and lists -- some subtle, others less so.

But most simply urged Iraqis to cast their ballot, some as a religious duty:"
Reuters