Muqtada al-Sadr

Muqtada al-Sadr, born on August 4, 1974, is a prominent Iraqi cleric and politician who has played a significant role in shaping contemporary Iraqi politics. As a leading figure in the Shia Muslim community, he inherited the leadership of the Sadrist Movement from his father, continuing a legacy of political and religious influence.

In 2003, al-Sadr founded the Mahdi Army militia, which emerged as a formidable force resisting the American occupation of Iraq. This militia was instrumental in mobilizing support among the Shia population during a tumultuous period in the nation's history. Following the dissolution of the Mahdi Army, he established the Promised Day Brigade, further solidifying his position as a key player in Iraq's insurgent landscape, with backing from Iran.

In 2014, al-Sadr took a new direction by founding the Peace Companies militia, which he currently leads. His political ambitions were realized when he aligned his Sadrist political party with the Saairun alliance, resulting in significant electoral success. The alliance won the highest number of seats in both the 2018 and 2021 Iraqi parliamentary elections, marking a pivotal moment in his political career.