I received a new book edited by Grand (not at all) Ayatollah Sistani's representative, Hamid Khaffaf, titled An-Nusus As-Sadirah `An Samahat As-Sayyid As-Sistani fi-l-Mas'alah Al-`Iraqiyyah. It was just released in Beirut and Baghdad. It contains all his pronouncements, interviews, and fatwawawas since the fall of Saddam's regime. You read it and realize that the is the most cunning, deceptive, double-faced, sectarian, and inconsistent politician--he is a politician. Look how he answers a simple question:
"Question: Do you want the sons of the esteemed Shi`ite sect to cooperate with teh American civil administration in Iraq?
Answer: What we want is to make room for the formation of a government that springs from the will of the Iraqi people in all its sects and ethnicities." You need to read this book along with Paul Bremer's account to really understand the double dealings of this Ayatollah. By the way, Sistani's official signature carries the title "Dama Dhilluh" (May his shadow extend). I should attach that title to my signature too. Why not?