Iraq’s top Sunni cleric Rafi al-Rifa’i has returned to Baghdad after 11 years, sparking sectarian tensions and legal disputes amid shifting political and regional dynamics.

For days during Eid, Mishaan al-Khazraji—the head of Iraq’s Sunni Endowment—dominated headlines and social media after sparking what became known as the “crescent crisis” among Iraqi Sunnis.

In a defining moment for Iraq's political landscape, Mohammad Salman, a prominent leader in al-Siyada (Sovereignty) Alliance, declared that the newly formed “Unified Sunni Leadership Coalition” is the “legitimate and true representative of Iraq’s Sunni community."

In a move that ignited widespread debate in Iraq, the Iraqi Cabinet voted to deduct 1% from the salaries of employees and retirees, labeling it as a “voluntary donation to Lebanon and Gaza.”

Mohamed al-Halbousi has criticized the Muslim Brotherhood in Iraq while seeking to strengthen his political influence through alliances with the UAE, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.