Former insurgent leader Moqtada al-Sadr on Friday issued a fiery attack on parliamentary politics, the day after Shia parties unveiled an electoral alliance that reportedly does not include his movement.

"The elections aim to separate the Iraqi from his religion. When people vote for politicians, secularists, those who co-operate with the occupation - they will not think of God," said Mr Sadr in a letter read out by one of his deputies in north Baghdad's al-Muhsin mosque. "Do not make politics your way, and do not let the marjaiya [Shia clerical establishment] support the elections," the leader's message said.