"The popularity of al-Sadr's movement is under debate. Some in the American press referred to him and his followers as little more than thugs, and the Coalition Provisional Authority continually referred to him as having little support. In fact, a June 2004 US-sponsored poll reported that 67 percent of respondents supported him (with 32 percent offering "strong support", and 36 percent saying they "somewhat support" him). He was the third most popular political figure, behind Ali Sistani but far ahead of Iyad Allawi, who was opposed by 61 percent and supported by only 23 percent of respondents. (This poll was taken before Allawi became prime minister.) Despite al-Sadr's popularity, only two percent of respondents selected him as their first choice for President of Iraq. (Allawi, who soon after became Prime Minister, received far less support in this category as well.)" "The al-Sadr family has a clear and distinct lineage that can be traced directly to Muhammad. The lineage is traced through Imam Jafar al-Sadiq and his son Imam Musa al-Kahdim, the sixth and seventh Shi‘a Imams respectively. This direct and meticulously documented lineage is unprecedented even among the illustrious families in the Islamic world who claim such lineage. The Sayyid Muslims consider themselves the followers of Muhammad's bloodline (through his daughter Fatima's lineage), thus a great deal of respect and reverence is paid by the Shi'as to the Sayyids throughout Shi'a society. In early 2008, Al-Sadr was reported to be studying to be an ayatollah." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muqtada_al-Sadr#Popularity The best option would probably be to give him a chance to participate in the politics of his country.