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Mob kills cleric { April 10 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/10/international/worldspecial/10CND-SHEIKH.html http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/10/international/worldspecial/10CND-SHEIKH.html April 10, 2003 Mob Kills Islamic Cleric By CRAIG S. SMITH NAJAF, Iraq, April 10 — A prominent Islamic cleric, newly returned from exile, was killed by an angry mob here today at one of Shiite Muslims' holiest shrines. Sheikh Abdul Majid al-Khoei — head of the philanthropic Khoei Foundation and son of the late Grand Ayatollah Abul-Qassim al-Khoei, who died under house arrest in Iraq a decade ago — was killed by members of a rival Shiite group in an altercation at Najaf's Imam Ali Mosque. The mosque is said to be the tomb of Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the figure who was the cause of the Shiite sect's seventh-century split from Islam's larger Sunni majority. The majority of Iraqis are Shiites. An aide to Mr. Khoei was also reported killed at the mosque. The deaths are the first reported cases of internecine fighting that many people fear may plague Iraq now that Saddam Hussein has been pushed from power. Iraq is a country of hundreds of competing interest groups divided along ethnic, religious and tribal lines and many analysts have warned that the country could descend into a period of violence as old scores are settled and long-dormant rivalries are revived. Fadel al-Milani, a director of Khoei Foundation, said from London that the violence broke out over control of the mosque now that Mr. Hussein is no longer in power. Mr. Khoei, who arrived in Iraq from London on April 3, had gone to the mosque for a meeting of leading Shiite religious leaders who were to appoint a new caretaker for the shrine. The current caretaker was appointed by Mr. Hussein's Ministry of Religion. "A group of people were angry over the choice of the caretaker and people started fighting and shooting at each other," Mr. Milani said. "Mr. Khoei and another man were killed in the fighting." Mr. Milani said Mr. Khoei was shot in the fighting, but witnesses told The Associated Press that Mr. Khoei was stabbed after firing shots himself. According to some reports, the caretaker appointed by Mr. Hussein's government was also killed. Najaf was the scene of brief fighting between Iraqi and American forces about 10 days ago as American troops moved north toward Baghdad. The city has been quiet since then, with only lightly armed United States military Humvees patrolling the streets. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company | Privacy Policy

Another city falls mosul Army staged fall of hussein statue { July 3 2004 } Briefly draped american flag over statue Fall of mosul Firefight baghdad mosque one marine dead { April 10 2003 } I2188 2003Apr10L [jpg] Iraqi leaders nowhere { April 10 2003 } Iraqis cheer look baghdad { April 9 2003 } Kurdish take oil town kirkuk Marines broke radioactive seal Marines clash with iraqi fighters baghdad { April 10 2003 } Marines hurt suicide attack baghdad { April 10 2003 } Marines kill two children Mob kills cleric { April 10 2003 } Near riot southern city Pentagon flag draped biggest statue Redcross horrified Saddam betrayed baghdad fell theory Us may lower terror threat { April 9 2003 } Whos in charge iraqis ask { April 9 2003 } Wp iraqis celebrate { April 9 2003 } Files Listed: 21

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