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Iraqi Sheikh Faces Divisions Within Sunni Community

Sheikh Abdul-Malik al-Saadi seeks to balance support for protests with opposition to a Sunni federal region in Iraq.
Iraqi Sunni Muslims chant "Allahu Akbar", meaning God is great, during an anti-government demonstration in the central city of Samarra, May 17, 2013.  Tens of thousands of Sunni Muslims poured onto the streets of Ramadi and Falluja in the western province of Anbar following Friday prayers, in their biggest show of strength since the outbreak of protests last year. REUTERS/Bakr al-Azzawi (IRAQ - Tags - Tags: RELIGION POLITICS) - RTXZQH6
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It is difficult to talk about establishing a religious authority for Iraq’s Sunnis, despite the numerous attempts made in this regard since 2003. The most recent attempt came following the outbreak of protests in major Sunni cities at the end of last year, where Sheikh Abdul Malik al-Saadi emerged as an authority for the Sunni protesters.

Yet, months later, some of these protesters refused to obey him given that he is opposed to the establishment of a Sunni federal region in Iraq.

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