School in Najef named after Abu Risha

Iraqi Shia Honor Iraqi Sunni Hero- Name School After Abu Risha (HT bg)

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The following is a translation by Iraqi-American Haider Ajina from an article in Iraq's Buratha News on October 6, 2007:

A school in Shiite Nejaf is named after Sunni Tribal leader Abdulstar Abu-Risha

Mr. Majed Alsudani director of department of education in Nejaf (Shiite center of Iraq) province announced that a school has been named to honor recently killed Sunni tribal leader Abdulstar Abu-Risha (Sunni tribal leader, founder of the Anbar awakening movement and recently killed by Alqiada in Iraq after meeting with president Bush) in the Selam district in Nejaf city.

He added this action is to recognize Abdulstar Abu-Risha's stance against terrorist takfiries in Anbar province. These takfiries tried to defile the province's name by promoting sectarian killings and terrorist activity. Abdulstar Abu-Risha led a successful courageous stance of local tribes and families against these Alqaida takfiri terrorists.

Alsudani added; "This is not the first time the department honors and recognizes a Sunni leader who sacrificed for the good of Iraq. In 2005 we recognized and honored the martyr Uthman Alubaid who as one of our Sunni brethren who sacrificed himself to save many Shiites in Adhamiah during a terrorist ignited stampede on Aimah Bridge in which more than a thousand were killed. We are strong followers of teachings of the grand Ayatollah Ali Al-sistani which calls for denouncing sectarianism and intolerance and calls for embracing unity, and nondiscrimination for all Iraqis of all sects and religions.