The 'Silent' Coup in Najaf

"It all began with a plea to Sistani from a group of well known and respected scholars. They argued that there needs to be congregational prayers held at the shrine of Imam Ali and that it was a shame no one has been leading the prayers. Sistani listened carefully took it on himself to make sure a short-list of men was carefully studied in order to pick a single scholar to lead the prayers. Eventually they decided on Mohammed Taqi al-Hakim, the younger brother of the other Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim.

On thursday last week he led the prayers at the shrine courtyard which was packed and people had to line up on the streets to pray. The Sadrists saw this and were incensed. A scholar from a rival 'clan' was attracting too much attention on their doorstep (Moqtada's office is only several yards away from the door of the shrine) and they were not going to stay quiet."
Eye Raki