The story: In Iraq, a proposal to make Eid Al-Ghadir—a pivotal annual event for Shiite Muslims—an official holiday is fueling both sectarian and intra-Shiite divisions. A longtime advocate of the idea, Shiite cleric and politician Muqtada Al-Sadr is leading the effort.

However, Sadr’s motives are being questioned—especially as this push coincides with his apparent effort to reenter the political arena. Having announced his “final retirement” from politics in 2022, the mercurial figure is once again...