Who Is Muqtada al-Sadr? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Muqtada al-Sadr was born on August 4, 1974, making him 50 years old in 2025. He is a prominent figure in Iraqi politics, known for his role as a Shia cleric and the leader of the Sadrist movement. His political career has been marked by his advocacy for social justice, opposition to foreign intervention in Iraq, and influence over the country's Shia community. His leadership has evolved in response to the dynamic political landscape of Iraq, making him a key player in the country’s governance and stabilization efforts.
Occupation | Religious Leader |
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Date of Birth | August 4, 1974 |
Age | 50 Years |
Birth Place | Najaf, Ba'athist Iraq |
Horoscope | Leo |
Country | Iraq |
Popularity
Muqtada al-Sadr's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Muqtada al-Sadr stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. Although his weight is not publicly disclosed, he maintains a presence that is often characterized by resilience and authority, essential traits for a leader in his position.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Muqtada al-Sadr is known to be a private individual regarding his personal life. He has been married and has children, but detailed public information about his family or current relationship status is limited. His focus on politics and religious leadership often takes precedence in news coverage, overshadowing his personal relationships.
Muqtada al-Sadr (born 4 August 1974) is an Iraqi Shia Muslim cleric, politician and militia leader. He inherited the leadership of the Sadrist Movement from his father, and founded the now dissolved Mahdi Army militia in 2003 that resisted the American occupation of Iraq.
He also founded the Promised Day Brigade insurgent group after the dissolution of the Mahdi Army; both were backed by Iran. In 2014, he founded the Peace Companies militia and serves as its current head.
In 2018, he joined his Sadrist political party to the Saairun alliance, which won the highest number of seats in the 2018 and 2021 Iraqi parliamentary elections.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Muqtada al-Sadr's net worth is estimated to be in the range of several million dollars, though exact figures are often difficult to ascertain due to the complex nature of wealth in politics and religious affiliations. His income is likely derived from various sources, including political activities, investments, and possibly religious endowments related to his role as a cleric.
Career, Business, and Investments
Muqtada al-Sadr's career spans multiple facets, including politics and religious leadership. He founded the Sadrist movement, which has played a significant role in Iraqi politics since the early 2000s. In addition to his political endeavors, he has been involved in various businesses and social projects aimed at improving the lives of the Iraqi populace. His investments often align with his political ideologies and community development goals.
That day, al-Sadr called for a jihad against American forces. To do this he needed to gain temporary control of Al Kut, An Najaf and the suburb of Baghdad named after his grandfather, Sadr City.
On the night of 8 April, his Mahdi Army dropped eight overspans and bridges around the Convoy Support Center Scania, thus severing northbound traffic into Baghdad. The next day his militia ambushed any and every convoy trying to get in or out of Baghdad International Airport, known to the soldiers as BIAP.
This led to the worst convoy ambush of the war, the ambush of the 724th Transportation Company (POL), which resulted in eight KBR drivers killed and three soldiers killed. One was Matt Maupin, who was initially listed as the first American soldier missing in action.
These series of attacks demonstrated an unexpected level of sophistication in planning. The Mahdi Army knew it could not win a head on fight with the United States military coalition and it took full advantage of a major American vulnerability by attacking convoy trucks that supplied the troops.
BIAP was where the newly arrived 1st Cavalry Division drew its supplies. The 1st Cavalry Division was replacing the 1st Armored Division in and around Baghdad. The 1st Armored Division had already been deployed to Iraq for a year.
CENTCOM commander General John Abizaid decided to extend the Division beyond its 1-year deployment, for an additional 120 days, to use in the fight against the Mahdi Army. On 11 April, the Mahdi Army launched an attack on the southwest wall at BIAP behind which several hundred trucks parked.
By the end of April, the American 1st Armored Division had suppressed the Mahdi Army's uprising but al Sadr had achieved his goal of making it a significant resistance force fighting against the U.S. led coalition forces occupying Iraq.
Social Network
Muqtada al-Sadr maintains a notable presence on social networks, which he uses to communicate his messages and engage with supporters. He often leverages social media platforms to voice his opinions on political issues and to mobilize his followers during critical electoral moments or national events.
His strongest support came from the class of dispossessed Shi'a, like in the Sadr City area of Baghdad. Many Iraqi supporters see in him a symbol of resistance to foreign occupation. The Mahdi army was reported to have operated death squads during the Iraqi Civil War.
Education
Muqtada al-Sadr’s education includes studies in religious sciences, particularly within the Shia theological framework. He has studied at prestigious religious institutions, which have equipped him with a deep understanding of Islamic jurisprudence and leadership. This religious education has significantly shaped his political ideology and approach to governance in Iraq.