Mosul (AsiaNews) – Sunnis reject the proposed constitution because they see it as compromising national unity. For this reason, they plan to vote against it in the upcoming referendum scheduled for October 15, this according to Salim Malla Aallo, chief of the al-Hamadanyyeen, a Sunni tribe in Mosul, who, in an interview with AsiaNews, explains Sunni frustrations vis-à-vis the new Iraqi government.

Malla Aallo, a well-respected leader in Iraq, maintains that Sunnis are against terrorism; however, even though he is working for national unity and good inter-communal relations—with Shiites and Christians—, he says he backs the resistance to the Iraqi government.

Sunnis fear that federalism will marginalise them (who monopolised power under Saddam Hussein). They fear that, in part thanks to oil revenues, the Kurdish and Shiite communities will be strengthened, and this will either divide the country or lead to an Iranian-style Islamic republic.

President Jalal Talabani, who is currently working overtime with Sunni representatives in the constituent assembly, said that "Sunni demands must be taken into account because the constitution must not serve only one group but the whole of Iraq".

Here is the full text of Salim Malla Aallo's interview:

Mr Salim Malla Aallo, will the Sunni community vote in the constitutional referendum or will it abstain as it did for the elections to the Constituent Assembly?

I believe it is an important vote, a vote against any constitution that establishes a federal regime on ethnic bases which divides the nation.

Sunnis are often associated with terrorism. What are your views since the new government took over?

We Sunnis are against terrorism and back the resistance against the occupiers. We condemn terrorism because it kills innocent people. God calls on us to be good towards others, but enjoins to defend the fatherland when foreign forces invade it. We condemn the new government because it has not taken any steps towards creating hope in the country. All this is very disheartening.

Does the Sunni community want to be part of Iraq? What are its primary needs?

Not only are we part of the nation, but we totally identify with it. We need to find unity with all the other groups to preserve national unity. But we must also remember that this country is part of the wider Arab nation.

What can one hear preached in your mosques: calls for violence, boycott or cooperation?

Preaching varies from mosque to mosque. But in general there are calls for unity and equality. Moreover, we urge people to participate in the reconstruction of the country which has being tormented by so many wars, coming one after the other.

What are your relations with other religious and ethnic groups?

The ties with Shiites and Christians go very deep. We have the same roots. We support the Kurds as well. National unity is possible.

(Photo: Mr Salim Malla Aallo with Mgr Paulos Faraj Rahho, Bishop of Mosul)