Extinguish the Shiite-Sunni War

Since some time ago, the war between Shiites and Sunnis, or the so-called ethnic war, has been inflamed in the region and has led to the deaths of many Muslims. This war, which began during Iraq’s occupation by the US, was launched by al-Qaeda and the Baathists and left behind a bloody Iraq for the Muslims who are still dealing with this situation today. Later, similar incidents happened in Pakistan, and although it seems that the central leadership of al-Qaeda is not seriously involved in this matter, it is obvious that branches of this group have entered the scene and inflamed the situation.

Three major elements play roles in this matter:

First, we see superficial interpretations of religion in spreading Salafism and Wahhabism which prepare the ground and entrap those who are naïve. In this regard, the deceitful clerics and prejudiced Muftis act as matches and, by issuing shocking Fatwas for the killing of Shiites, play the most important role in spilling the blood of the Muslims.

Second, we have political challenges between the regional governments which, following their defeat in the political arena, use these means to gain advantages.

Third, there are attempts made by the world powers which benefit from sowing discord among ethnic groups and support the measures taken by the governments.

During the last two years, the issue of Syria has increased these ethnic disputes. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey are the three governments which inflame this matter and seek the expansion of their influence and spend from the pockets of innocent Muslims who lose their lives easily in these disputes.

The important point that must be mentioned is that the spread of ethnic war does not only involve the Shiites; many of them are transformed into two-way wars wherein innocent people are killed. There is no doubt that, as Muslims, the Muslims do not benefit from this matter at all.

In this regard and under the new conditions which have been prepared in Iran, several measures must simultaneously be taken:

1.       The Shiite leaders must maintain their commitment to Muslim unity and respect the blood of the martyrs and not allow the radicals, on both sides, to enter the scene. Fortunately, until now, no fatwa has been issued by the Shiite scholars for the killing of the opponents and this is while the radicals on the other side issue new fatwas every day in this regard.

2.       The religious and political officials of Iran and its allies must start new efforts, at the level of the governments and international organizations, to find new solutions to prevent these ethnic wars and prepare the ground for their implementation.

3.       One of the major problems in this regard is the undesirable relations between the governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia during the past years which must be reviewed as soon as possible. Through the government of Saudi Arabia, these radical institutions and organizations which are the main reasons behind this radicalism must be controlled. At the present time, the fatwas related to the killings of the Shiites are mainly issued in Saudi Arabia and Qatar and these governments make no effort to prevent the spread of violence.

4.       The government of Iran, in cooperation with the Islamic governments, must begin an international effort to discuss these killings as genocide and prepare the ground for combating them by adopting some resolutions against such atrocities.

5.       Informing the different ethnic and tribal groups is one of the major cultural measures for which special networks must be established through which lessons of unity should be spread. On the other hand, efforts should be made to limit the voices that spread discord on both sides and prevent the issues which exaggerate the differences in the media inside and outside the country.

6.       The resolution of the issue of Syria, which besides destroying a big Islamic country has prepared the ground for an ethnic war in the region, must be on the agenda. There is no doubt that the spread of war in that country and its continuation, besides causing irretrievable political and financial damages, will prepare the ground, from a religious aspect, for the spread of the ethnic war to neighboring countries including Lebanon.