baghdad iraq top shi ite cleric oppose secession kurdistan region northern iraq representative say friday sermon behalf religious leader first comment kurds decision back independence referendum grand ayatollah ali al-sistani reclusive octogenarian revere millions shi ite muslims iraq abroad sistani believe attempt make secession accomplish fact lead undesired consequences affect kurdish citizens representative ahmed al-safi say sermon holy shi ite city kerbala south baghdad urge kurdistan regional government krg return constitutional path solve dispute self-determination kurdish people safi say first direct political sermon sistani since early 2016 clear sign attach importance crisis pit krg baghdad iraq neighbor sistani stop make direct political comment feb. 2016 protest widespread deep-rooted corruption within iraqi government institutions iraqi kurds sunni muslims kurdish northern iraq also home shi ite turkmens arabs shi ite-led government baghdad set impose ban international flight iraq kurdistan region p.m. 1500 gmt friday retaliation vote masoud barzani krg say monday referendum deliver overwhelm yes independence mean pave way peaceful secession iraq talk baghdad neighbor state turkey iran barzani say last week one reason hold referendum fear iraq split shi ite majority sunni minority become sectarian-based theocracy proper democracy promise 2003 u.s.-led invasion oust veteran ruler saddam hussein iraqi government reject talk krg demand kurdish leadership cancel result order avoid sanction international isolation possibly military intervention iraq 's top shi'ite cleric sistani oppose secession kurdish region