NEW DELHI: Prominent Muslim intellectuals and theologians on Saturday expressed anger over the execution of the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, although there were some dissenting voices as well.

Zafaryab Jilani, lawyer and member of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), said the "illegal hanging" of a friend of India should be strongly condemned because "no legal procedure was adopted in conducting the trial and the sentence was awarded without observing the principles of natural justice."

The execution just before Eid-ul-Azha was aimed at creating more hatred between Shias and Sunnis and to slow down the reconciliation process in Iraq, he said and asked Muslims to guard themselves against the "anti-Islamic designs of the U.S."

"Maintain calm"

Mr. Jilani called upon them to maintain calm despite this "grave act of provocation" by the U.S.-supported "puppet government" in Iraq.

"Executing Saddam Hussein just at the time of Eid-ul-Azha is very unfortunate and this was done only to hurt the Muslim sentiments." The execution was part of a deep conspiracy to fuel the sectarian violence between Shias and Sunnis not only across Iraq but also in the entire West Asia. It could affect India as well, said Kamal Farooqi, another AIMPLB member.

Shia cleric and AIMPLB vice-president Maulana Kalbe Sadiq said Mr. Hussein deserved the punishment for "ordering the killing of lakhs of innocent Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, women and children."

All-India Shia Personal Law Board president Mirza Mohammad Athar also said he "deserved nothing less than death."

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