Nationalism Over Religion in Iraq?

It seems the members of the United States Congress are far from the only people seeking a timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq. Moktada al-Sadr, the widely popular Shi’ite cleric responsible for the mass protest in Najaf last week, has been pressing Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki to create a set schedule for complete Iraqi independence. Interestingly enough, he maneuvered in the complete opposite direction of what many would expect from his strong leadership: instead of pulling religious rank and personally directing his members of the Iraqi cabinet, he has removed them from leadership entirely. Al-Sadr has also purportedly cut ties with Maliki, whose power largely depends on his support. Why does it seem al-Sadr is relinquishing his control at a high point in his influence? He is motivated by Iraqi nationalism, he says, and hopes for new cabinet members not tied to any political party or religious agenda. Though this seems an honest move to create a more stable government, al-Sadr clearly has an agenda: he wants the U.S. out of Iraq, and will do anything to see his country free from occupation. Well, almost anything: he still controls his 30 seats in Parliament.