http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/3531554.htmlBaghdad's top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Hussein al-Sadr, is seen during an interview at his house in Kazamiyah, a mainly Shiite
Dec. 17, 2005, 3:22AM
Baghdad Ayatollah Embodies Shiite Power
By HAMZA HENDAWI and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA Associated Press Writer
© 2005 The Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq — It's election day and Baghdad's most senior Shiite cleric is reflecting on the momentous rise to power of a community long oppressed by Saddam Hussein.
"Today, we pick the most beautiful and delicious fruit after the liberation of Iraq from oppression, persecution and dictatorship," Ayatollah Hussein Ismail al-Sadr told two reporters Thursday at his heavily guarded home in Baghdad's ancient Kazimiyah district. snip
In 2003, al-Sadr received former Secretary of State Colin Powell at his home, a meeting that proved controversial and made worse by TV footage of the two hugging and kissing.
The encounter caused indignation among senior Shiite clerics and drew condemnations from militant Shiite groups. But al-Sadr remains unrepentant.