Levels of discourse in Sayyid al-Sistani's statements .
When reading Sistani's statements or following his positions, some people make a common mistake: they think that the speech is directed at him alone. If he does not find in the statement the sharp or emotional language that the street expects in moments of tension, he thinks that the situation is cold or less than the size of the event. But the fact is that when you speak, the authority addresses not one audience, but several levels at the same time.
The first of these levels is the circle of imitators and the Shiite environment close to the reference, which is the circle to which it is linked a direct religious and religious connection.
Then there is the level of Iraq, where the vocabulary is formulated taking into account a country that is diverse in its religious and political affiliations.
Then comes the regional level, because the positions of the reference are closely followed by the countries of the region.
And finally there is the international level, where her words are read in a broader context that transcends the borders of Iraq.
From here it is possible to understand the nature of the language that appears in statements, speeches and situations . When we find vocabulary such as international law, human rights or international legitimacy, some may think that this is cold diplomatic language. But this vocabulary is not aimed at the angry street, but at the international level that deals with this language and judges it.
Therefore, when they issue a position or a statement, they accurately calculate the effect of each word. "Not only is this reflected within the Shia community, but it may be interpreted in the region and the world as an indicator of Iraq's position in the ongoing political balances."
In this context it is possible to understand why the Marjaiya did not at some stages push for direct confrontational fatwas. A hasty stance might give the opponents of legalization the excuse they are looking for. Addressing them in the language of international law and legitimacy is a way of embarrassing them and obliging them to the standards to which they themselves profess to abide.
The real challenge comes in moments of crisis. In those moments, there is a rise in tired emotions, and the mood tends to be quick and sharp. But a wise leadership does not manage things with immediate emotion, but rather looks at things more broadly.
A wise leader balances the management of the current moment, the near-term tactics, and the long strategic path of the Shia procession.
Whoever understands this way of discourse realizes that the quietness of the vocabulary does not mean the weakness of the situation, but rather reflects a leadership style that knows how to manage a complex conflict without giving others the opportunity to turn the word into an excuse.
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