Iraqi cleric draws fire for secular slogan

BAGHDAD, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- An Iraq Shiite cleric drew fire from religious conservatives over a decision to adopt secularism in a new political party competing in parliamentary elections.

Iyad Jamaluddin, a lawmaker and Shiite cleric, announced his Ahrar slate has adopted "secularism is the solution" as its campaign slogan for parliamentary elections.

That slogan violates the principles of religious mantras adopted by Islamic parties, who point to the principles of Islam enshrined in Iraqi law.

Jamaluddin, for his part, has long opposed constitutional measures that view Islam as the basis for national legislation.

"It is shameful for clergy to use religion in order to reach political aims," he tells the Iraqi analytical Web site Niqash. "If the clergy wants to get involved in politics, he should keep religion away from the compromises he makes."

His comments came as the Jan. 16 deadline for parliamentary elections hangs in the balance as lawmakers wrangle over a national election law.

Lawmakers had deliberated over the system used for the voting. A closed system as outlined in a 2005 election law lists only party tickets on the ballot, while an open system includes the names of candidates running for parliamentary seats.

The latest wrangling involves how voting would proceed in Kirkuk, where disputes among rival Arabs, Turkmen and Kurds create challenges to passing the election law.

Parliament is set to take up the matter during the Saturday session.