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Shia-Sunni violence has been on
the rise in the last few years,
particularly in Iraq and
Pakistan. Every month, it seems,
scores of Shias and Sunnis are
killed in a vicious tit-for-tat
between extremists on both
sides. Many of the victims are
killed as they pray or are in
mosques.
These incidents belie the
reality of Shia-Sunni
coexistence and cooperation. In
Iraq, it is estimated that up to
30 percent of marriages are
between Shias and Sunnis;
victims of violence between the
two groups frequently attend
each other's funeral prayers;
one group often helps the
other's victims after an
incident.
This silent majority must come
together through dialog to
defeat the terrorists who have
been responsible for these
killings.
Seven reasons why a dialog
between Shia and Sunni is
needed:
-
Theological
differences
between Shia and
Sunni are old
and are better
left for God to
judge, as He
knows best and
has said in the
Quran that He is
the final judge
of religious
disagreements.
The killing of
Shias or Sunnis
will not resolve
these disputes.
-
The principle of
"no compulsion
in matters of
faith" (Quran
2:256) is not
just limited to
Muslim-non-Muslim
relations. It
applies to
Muslim
interpretations
of Islam as
well. This
instruction of
God serves as a
guideline for
the Muslim
community to not
impose one's
interpretation
on others. That
is why
throughout
history, not
only have
Hanafis and
Shafis worked
with each other
despite
differences, but
Shias and Sunnis
have lived and
worked side by
side with each
other as well.
-
When human
beings sit down
and talk to each
other, they
learn to respect
each other.
-
Dialog allows
parties to
understand each
other better by
allowing
participants to
acquire direct
knowledge about
beliefs instead
of relying on
propaganda and
stereotypical
images. (Quran
49:6-12)
-
Dialog will
isolate the
extremist
fringe. It is a
major sin to
kill a human
being. Killing a
human being is
like killing the
whole of
humanity. By
talking to each
other, Shias and
Sunnis will be
able to save
lives, which is
like saving the
whole of
humanity. (Quran
5:32)
-
Revenge is not
justice. Killing
in revenge is
unjust, inhuman,
and un-Islamic.
Retribution
through the
state, which the
Quran sanctions
via capital
punishment does
not amount to
individuals
taking the law
in their hands
or killing an
innocent person
in revenge. The
call for, "an
eye for an eye,"
does not mean an
innocent eye for
an innocent eye.
-
Even if some
Shias and Sunnis
consider each
other enemies,
the Quran asks
us to be just
even toward
one's enemy "O
you who believe!
Stand out firmly
for God, as
witnesses to
fair dealing,
and let not the
hatred of others
to you make you
swerve to wrong
and depart from
justice. Be
just: that is
next to Piety:
and fear Allah.
For Allah is
well-acquainted
with all that
you do." [Quran
5:8]
Some considerations for
dialog:
The Shia community like Sunnis
is diverse. There are many
differences between one Shia
group and another. This is why
it is important that dialog
between Sunnis and Shias becomes
a movement and a process
throughout society instead of
everyone waiting for one high
powered dialog to yield some
results at the leadership level.
Here are some preliminary
thoughts on how a dialog between
Shias and Sunnis can be
beneficial for each side.
Goals of dialog
Although I consider dialog a
process that is beneficial to
all, it is necessary that
everyone involved recognize some
of its tangible benefits. The
following are a set of
achievable goals for Shia-Sunni
dialog.
-
Developing an
agenda of common
concerns
-
Identifying
issues of
conflict
-
Issuing joint
Fatwas against
the killings
-
Isolating
extremists on
each side
-
Preventing a
potential
conflict or
mediating an
existing
conflict
-
Education to
clarify
stereotypes
about each other
-
Setting up joint
task forces to
deal with
outstanding
issues
Who should participate in the
dialog
-
Imams and
caretakers of
Masjids
-
Students of
Madrassas
-
University
students
-
National level
religious
leadership
-
Shia and Sunni
media persons
-
Shia and Sunni
businesspersons
Mechanism of dialog
Dialog is a process that should
occur at all levels of society.
In the 1960s in Pakistan, when
Shia- Sunni fights were far less
significant, city officers used
to convene joint meetings of
Shia and Sunni leaders to chalk
out Muharram plans so no
confusion would result in
rioting. These
government-arranged dialogs
helped keep conflicts at a
minimum. Considering the current
level of mistrust, it will be
beneficial if civil society
takes initiatives for dialog at
all levels of society.
-
Private Dialog:
Host roundtable
discussions
initially at the
top leadership
level that
should later
expand to
include
-
thers working on
different
committees.
-
Public Dialog:
Shia and Sunni
both use public
forums and media
to speak to each
other's
audiences
-
Visiting each
other's Masjids
to enhance
confidence and
to demonstrate
that they are
not supportive
of the
extremists who
isolate each
other.
-
Shia-Sunni
Dinners: Masjids
and social
associations
should invite
Shia and Sunni
friends to eat
with each other
publicly.
Publicity of dialog
Publicity of the dialog will
generate hope and confidence in
it and will empower those in
dialog vis-a-vis the extremists.
-
Media should
facilitate
self-criticism
and
introspection by
the religious
leadership
-
Those leaders
who participate
in dialog should
be recognized
through
interviews,
reports, and
documentaries
-
Investigative
reports should
be aired and
published about
the truth behind
sectarian
propaganda
-
It is important
for society to
honor those Shia
and Sunni
leaders who take
initiative and
demonstrate
leadership in
participating in
dialog. Sunnis,
being members of
the majority
community, have
the higher level
of
responsibility
towards
initiating and
participating in
dialog
Sponsors of Dialog
Funding always facilitates the
beginning of a process in civil
society. Every task requires
time and money. While
participating organizations and
individuals can take care of
their own costs, it would be
very rewarding if some
individuals and businesses came
forward with funds to sponsor
and host these dialogs. American
Muslims can start a dialog in
North America where there is no
conflict in the Shia-Sunni
community and then inspire and
sponsor dialogs where it is
needed the most.
Beyond Dialog
Considering that Shias and
Sunnis live side by side in the
Muslim world, they are not
unknown to each other, and
considering that most of them
have nothing to do with the
current extremism which is
responsible for the killings and
violence, it is important for
the moderate majority to come up
with a few initiatives which are
beneficial for Shia- Sunni
harmony. These could be
communicated in the print form
or in any other media. They
should discuss the following
themes and/or use the methods
outlined here:
-
Khutba points
which can help
harmony
-
What type of
talk can hurt at
personal level
-
What is common
between Shias
and Sunnis
-
Common Hadith
between Shias
and Sunnis
-
What is hate
speech
-
Islamic
teachings of
tolerance
-
A Shia-Sunni
security force,
jointly
safeguarding
each otherās
houses of
worship will be
a significant
blow to the
extremist
agenda.
Conclusion
Shia-Sunni conflict and
sectarian terrorism is tearing
our community apart.
The Quran, the Prophet Muhammad,
peace and blessings be upon him,
the Kaba and the five pillars of
Islam are common to Shias and
Sunnis. That is why no one in
Islamic history has stopped
Shias from performing Hajj,
although the Kaba has always
been in the control of Sunnis.
Even today, when those currently
in charge of the Kaba are part
of a predominantly Salafi
establishment, which maintains
extremely negative views of
Shias, Shias like other Muslims
are free to perform Hajj. Shias,
by the same token, since the
1979 Iranian revolution, are
ordered by Imam Khomeini to pray
behind these same Salafi imams
instead of praying separately.
This mutual recognition gives us
hope that a dialog can bear
fruit of peace and harmony
between both the communities.
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