Sunni Sheikh Takes Larger Role In Protests Against Maliki

Sheikh Abdul Malik al-Saadi has risen over the last two decades from a little-known cleric opposed to the rule of Saddam Hussein to one of Iraq’s most prominent Sunni religious leaders, writes Ali Abel Sadah.
Iraqi Sunni Muslims take part in Friday prayers during an anti-government demonstration in the central city of Samarra February 1, 2013. Chanting "No" to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, tens of thousands of Sunni Muslims protested after Friday prayers in huge rallies against the Shi'ite premier that are raising the spectre of renewed sectarian unrest. REUTERS/Bakr al-Azzawi (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR3D8FX
Iraqi Sunni Muslims take part in Friday prayers during an anti-government demonstration in the central city of Samarra, Feb. 1, 2013. - REUTERS/Bakr al-Azzawi
Ali Abel Sadah
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Sunni Sheikh Abdul Malik al-Saadi has taken over the religious leadership in Sunni regions, having remained out of sight since 2003. Saadi reintroduced himself, however, to the scene during the Anbar protests at the end of last year.

Descended from a clan in the city of Samarra, north of Baghdad, Saadi was born in the city of Hit, a township in the province of Anbar, south of Baghdad.

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