From: "The World Federation - Newswire" <newswire@world-federation.org>
To: <federation@raha.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 10:50 AM
Subject: AYATULLAH AL UDHMA AS SEESTANI IN NAJAF - UPDATE

Salamun Alaykum,

We have now received confirmed news from Najaf that the siege surrounding the Ayatullah's house has now been lifted after intervention by Tribal Elders of the region. Najaf is now relatively safer and more secure after this timely intervention.

Further, the Office of Ayatullah Seestani has today confirmed that they have talked to his son, Syed Muhammad Redha in Najaf who, in turn, confirmed that Agha is safe and sound.

His Excellency Ayatullah Seestani, protesting to what has happened and is still happening in Najaf in particular, and all over Iraq in general, will not meet anybody and is determined to continue this protest until everything returns to normal. He appeals to all to maintain respect towards the Holy and Sacred Places as well as respect the property and dignity of all the people of Iraq. He calls on everybody to stand united against all those instrumental in creating discord and division between the various factions and tribes of Iraq.

We pray to the Almighty to protect the sanctity of these Holy places and the lives of our great scholars in Iraq and elsewhere in the world.

With Salaams and Duas

SECRETARIAT
www.world-federation.org/