Powell calls spiritual figure "powerful force for human rights"

Secretary of State Colin Powell commemorated the death of a prominent Iraqi spiritual figure, Hojjatulislam Sayyed Abdul Majeed al-Khoei, who was assassinated April 10, 2003.

"The assassination of Hojjatulislam Sayyed Abdul Majeed al-Khoei nearly one year ago deprived the Iraqi people and the world of an activist and a leader with an inspiring vision for the future of Iraq," Powell said in a statement released in Washington April 2.

Al-Khoei was a powerful advocate for human rights and cooperation among communities, Powell said.

Following is the text of Powell's statement:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 2, 2004 2004/363

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN L. POWELL

Anniversary of the Assassination of Sayyed Abdul Majeed al-Khoei

The assassination of Hojjatulislam Sayyed Abdul Majeed al-Khoei nearly one year ago deprived the Iraqi people and the world of an activist and a leader with an inspiring vision for the future of Iraq. Through his leadership of the al-Khoei Foundation, Sayyed Abdul Majeed was a powerful advocate for human rights and cooperation among communities.

Sayyed Abdul Majeed came from a distinguished family of clergy who called for dialogue among the various faiths, not only of Iraq, but throughout the world. Sayyed Abdul Majeed al-Khoei grew up in the holy city of Najaf, witnessing first hand the inhumane acts of the cowardly and brutal regime of Saddam Hussein. After leaving Najaf to live in exile in 1991, Sayyed Abdul Majeed became a leader of the Iraqi exile community and worked hard to preserve the unity of his country that Saddam Hussein so much tried to destroy. He returned to Najaf to help rebuild his country shortly after Iraq's liberation. His senseless murder last April 10th left his countrymen and his many friends deeply saddened.

As we remember Sayyed Abdul Majeed and the many other courageous Iraqis who have died for the causes he championed, let us rededicate ourselves to assisting the Iraqi people to build an Iraq that is democratic, independent, peaceful, and prosperous.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)