NAJAF, July 18: A leader of Iraq’s majority Shia sect urged thousands of his followers in a fiery mosque sermon on Friday to reject the country’s new US-backed Governing Council and chart their own political future.

Moqtada al-Sadr told thousands of people who travelled to a mosque in Najaf from all over the country to break away from US and British occupation.

“We condemn and denounce the Governing Council, which is headed by the United States,” Moqtada al-Sadr said.

“We must not stand with ours hands folded. We have to unify our ranks and form a council that represents justice. The best way to get rid of this council is to not recognise it,” he said.

The 25-member council was formed on Sunday, the first Iraqi political body since a US-led invasion toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on April 9.

The council has some executive powers, like nominating ministers, changing laws and helping in naming a committee to draft a new constitution and prepare for free elections. But the final say remains in the hands of US administrator Paul Bremer.

“No, no to America. No, no to the devil. No to the occupiers and terrorism,” worshippers at Kufa mosque chanted, interrupting Sadr’s sermon.

Many Iraqis oppose the new council because it includes Iraqi exiles who lived abroad while people in the country suffered under Saddam’s oppressive rule.

Sadr said he was invited to participate in the council but he refused “to put his hand in the hand of the occupiers”.

He said most Iraqis did not know or recognize the exiled members of the Governing Council.

“The coalition forces have taken permission from these parties to kill the people and deprive them of their freedom and spread corruption via radio and television,” he said, as people spilled out of the mosque into the street.

“Do not stand by hand folded if this council do not express your opinion. This is your opportunity, so seize it,” Sadr said.

Sadr is the son of Ayatollah Mohammed Sadiq al-Sadr, who was assassinated along with two of his sons in 1999 by Iraqi intelligence agents.

He is one of the religious leaders who had enormous influence in the Shia community repressed by Saddam’s government. Shias make up 60 per cent of Iraq’s population.

“I will endeavour to build an Islamic army and the door will be opened for you to register your names in this great army,” he said.—Reuters