Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Sunni-Shia struggle spreading

The murderous Sunni-Shia battle in Iraq is starting to infect other parts of the Middle East. It's spreading in insidious ways: In people's conversations, in the ways Arabs in the region look at events in neighboring nations, in the decisions some are making to take up arms several countries away from home.

On a recent visit to Jordan, I was speaking with a man we often work with on the ground, a Jordanian Sunni, who is as far from a radical Islamist as you can find.

"What the Shias are doing in Iraq, it's making Arabs not want to support Hezbollah in Lebanon."

I was dumbfounded.

"What they did to Saddam Hussein?" I asked.

"That and other things. Nasrallah is going to have to back down with the Lebanese government because people don't want to support the Shias as much as after the war with Israel."

The internal clash between Sunnis and Shias was spreading like a cancer, I thought.

This man was no fan of Saddam Hussein, and I can't say I ever meet anyone in the Middle East who is; yet the grainy cellphone images of his hanging, and the taunts and cries of "Muqtada! Muqtada! Muqtada!" beamed around the Middle East and the world, struck a chord among Sunnis in faraway places across the region. The images hit a raw nerve.

Drinking coffee in a hotel lobby on an unrelated assignment, I felt the full impact of the shift in the region. The Sunni-Shia divide is experiencing a region-wide revival more than 1,400 years after it first led to a split among Muslims.

I remembered the story of the son of an Egyptian banker, a young man in his thirties who was married with two children. Increasingly religious and radical, he one day told his father that he was traveling to Iraq to fight. Against whom? The Americans, the Shias, you name it. He disappeared a few months ago, leaving his young family behind. The last time the father heard from him, I was told, the son was heading to Damascus. He has had no news from him since.

Growing up in a Syrian family in France, I don't once remember hearing the differences between Sunnis and Shias discussed in any great detail. Occasionally, "a Sunni married a Shia," or a Christian man converted to marry a Muslim woman, and that was that. I never learned more than the basics about why the original schism occurred because, in my family, it was simply not considered relevant to my understanding of political and social events in the region.

In my travels across the Middle East as early as last year, I can't think of an instance when a Sunni or a Shia outside of Iraq openly expressed feelings of hostility toward members of the other sect. It was something that was happening in Iraq - something tragic - but a conflict that remained contained within the borders of the war-torn country.

That was the Middle East of the past. Today, the battle lines have multiplied exponentially. It's not "the Arab world against the West" of the Iraq invasion aftermath, it's the Sunnis versus the Shias, the Christians with the Sunnis against the Christians with the Shias, the Sunnis against the West, the Shias with the West, those against the West, the Druze with the Sunnis against the Shias, and the list goes on. The overall conflict is dividing itself into hundreds of splinters. It's not bloody everywhere, of course, but the tension is sewing the seeds of what could explode into other struggles in many other places across the region.

Take Iran and Saudi Arabia: The two regional powers have come to represent the Sunni-Shia divide and despite efforts to smooth things over, tensions still run deep.

Repeated comments from the Saudi King Abdallah who reigns over the bastion of Sunni Islam are binging the Sunni-Shia divide into sharp focus. In a recent interview, he issued a veiled message to Iran that Sunnis would not convert to Shiaism and that his country knows its "role as the state where the message (of Islam) began."

Meanwhile, two senior Saudi clerics declared this month that Shiites were infidels and heretics, describing them as "the most vicious enemy of Muslims."

As for the open battle, look no further than Lebanon. What began as a mainly political struggle between the Hezbollah (Shia)-led opposition and the Sunni/Christian/Druze government of Fouad Siniora is taking an increasing sectarian tone in spontaneous clashes between the youngest of Lebanon's citizens. The Beirut Arab University tiff that turned into an all-out deadly battle raised fears the Sunni-Shia clash was erupting without warning, among those with no memory of the civil war that devastated Lebanon for 15 years. Young, angry people fighting for what they believe to be their identity.

Brace yourself, without strong intelligent leadership in the region to turn things around quickly, many say there can only be more conflict to come.

Questions for you: IF Bush and the USA had not invaded Iraq, would there be now or would there have been so much strife between Sunni and Shia? Would Hezbollah have become so strong ? Thanks... Scott
I agree with many of your comments. I too grew up in a secular family (grew up in Canada and am of Lebanese decent). The first I heard of Shia vs Sunni Moslems was during the Lebanese civil war. I saw the friction of the Saudi Iran struggle for leadership of the Muslim world while working in the 80�s in the Gulf. At the time Iran was flexing its muscle. I view the Iraq/Iran war partly as a consequence of this struggle. Now without the Iraqi shield the Iranian influence is spreading throughout the Muslim world very quickly. This is exemplified by the overt Iranian support for Hizbullah and Hamas. And I agree with you analysis. This influence will spread, and with it will come the schism with mainstream Sunni population. What I cannot figure out is why a Sunni Islamist group like Hamas would accept support from the Iranians (the Shiites) and other groups such as Al Qaida remain bitter enemies
we should arm both sides to the teeth, throw some popcorn in the microwave and get a good front row seat.
Let them beat themselves back to the 7th century.
Sunni-Shia issue is not a new issue for Muslims, it�s been decades; even hundred of years since this tension had accrued and just to let you know; it really divides Muslim nation, but it was covered and hidden inside all of us because we never felt it will take us to a bad situation since we still fight and struggle from Israel occupation, and all Muslims are united to destroy or even wipe off Israel from the map as Iranian president said. Zion�s did a great job to spark this hot issue in this time. We should not forget the Israel occupation for us. To make the long story short; lets get rid of non-Muslim non-Arab people from the Middle East.
By the way, I�m Muslim Sunni

Best Regards,

Mohammad Adi
Ok, you got me very curious. I would like to see more CNN coverage about the growing schism you are talking about in the countries of the ME. It would be even more interesting if the stories of each country could be connected with stories of family members that have immigrated. Would Iraqi immigrants to other Arab nations talk about 'how they see it' and do they still have family in Iraq?
In your article you talk about Christian men converting to marry Moslem women. Can you please tell me what happens to Moslem's who convert to Christainity?
Thank you.
It appears the Sunnis are not nearly as well armed as the Shias. Therefore I believe there will not be an "open" conflict between countries. Iran will be the main player exporting their bloody struggle to control unstable countries. The day will come when Sunni suicide bombers will make their way into Iranian cities.
Shia's killing sunni's? sunni's killing shia's? Isn't it grand how things work themselves out? I would hope the CIA arms both to the hilt after we leave Iraq so that this self-destruction of the most dangerous radicals the world has known can will continue.
It's tempting to react, as did Rich and Stu, by hoping that the Sunni and Shia conflict resolves itself by infighting. The endlessness of the growing conflict inspires despair as have few events of our time.

The demographics of the entire Middle East provide a very sobering picture: "According to the Population Reference Bureau, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., the region's population growth rate has become the highest in the world. The area's population tripled, to 380 million in 2000 from 100 million in 1950. Today, close to two-thirds of those 380 million Middle Easterners are under age 25. (as reported by Hassan Fattah, American Demographics, 9/1/02).

Remember what it was like to be under 25? Remember high school and college? How idealistic, impulsive, and passionate one is when young?

With little education, heavy religious indoctrination, years of war, and little hope of prosperity these youth will do what centuries of youth before them have done: rebel. And in the millennium of "terrorists" who knows what form that will take.

As more and more people compete for the scant resources to educate, feed, and shelter themselves, the future looks rather grim. Population control might ameliorate the situation, but given the religious climate and beliefs, I fear it is unlikely.
How naive! Hezbollah has been preparing for war with Israel for 20 years. Hezbollah provoked last summer's conflict at Iran's request. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict would have happened regardless of the US being in Iraq. It is Iran causing trouble, not the US.
I'm with Mohammed Adi, let's get all non-Muslim, non-Arabs out of the Middle East. At the same time, let's get all Muslims out of Europe, North/South America, Austrailia, etc. Oh yes, and let's take all of the evil influences from the West out of the ME. Like cars, planes, phones, television, nuclear power, computers, oil refineries, etc. Let them have their oil. Don't know what they will do with it without the western machines that actually refine or use it, but that wouldn't be the West's problem.Sound like a plan?

This is what is fundamentally wrong with the ME. Many hate everything western, and protest about how evil we all are, all the while driving their cars, watching television and talking on phones. (Evil devices, invented by evil people!) Maybe they should worry less about the west and concentrate on making fixing their countries and not trying to export their religion to everyone else.
In an effort to completely resolve the Middle East's issues with Western occupation, Western influence and their own infighting; we should combine both ideas mentioned in these posting. Remove all civilian and military Westerners from the ME, and send all ME individuals back. Then given them all necessary military equipment so they can fight it out in the best way they know how...killing. The West will not supply them with any modern Western equipment (other than military) since they feel capitalism, a western ideal, is extremely detrimental to their society.
Once this plan is in place, we will never hear of the ME again. No one will know what is going on since they have no method of communication. Furthermore, their own ideologies will cause them kill themselves to the point of extinction. ME problem solved.
Interesting article, wets one's curiousity on Why the split, Why the tension. This was/is missing in the article. Otherwise, article must be classified as telling us something we already know. No new information offered.
This article is alarming in that it further enforces the fact that this conflict will spread throughout the Middle East like a raging wildfire if we do not do everything in our power diplomatically to prevent this from becoming World War III. Not only for the good of our country but for the good of the entire human race.
It is still incomprehensible to me how differences of opinion about religious beliefs can cause so much hatred and evil.
Hey Moha. Adi. So..by your logic, remove non-arabs from the ME,eh? I suppose then arabs would what...move into Iran as its citizens vacate? Oh, you didn't know? Pssst. Newsflash. Iran is not an arab nation. An arab would know that. You don't so you aren't. Yes, we will gladly stay out of their sand pit if they stay out of all the Americas and Europe. Keep your oil but only if you keep Arabs in Arabia wherever that is. Yeah...you hate western civilization as you watch western T.V., enjoy western technology. And Moha, answer this if you can. Why is it so many ME's want to come to the America's and Europe if you hate western civilization so much? No wonder the ME is FUBAR!

Oh, and best regards.
The internet is amusing. It creates things like this comment board where people can be as vile and backwards as they want - allowing them to say things which, if they were said in public, they would be ostracized for the dispicable ignorant fools that they are (or so we should all hope). As a human being with a conscience and a brain, I take no enjoyment out of continued bloodshed, conflict, and human suffering. It's deeply disturbing that several people, apparently here in the USA (from what I can see in these comments) seem to treat the lives of Muslims (whether Arab or not, and whether Sunni or Shia), Arab Christians, Jews (Israeli or not), Druze, and others as sport. Are you really so primitive as to seriously enjoy the deaths of countless thousands of human beings (children among them), or to propose a grand religious and racial division of the world? Apparently such ideas are not limited to al-Qaeda and Hezbollah after all. They just have different identity allegiances than the rest of you.
Abu Malik. The hatred you speak of is propelled by mullahs and imans in the ME and the Western world. I have never witnessed nor has it been in the press where any man of cloth stands before his congregation and calls for the death of Muslims, Westerners, etc. You are in denial. We who are sick and tired of it and are not going to take it anymore are just that. You defend a double standard that declares it is righteous to hate the West and at the same time go to the West and continue the call for a jihad against the infidel.

So, what is it you do not understand about Americans who will no longer take such rhetoric bashing of the West and any other religions? The intollerance you infer of has been one way for too long. Here in this great nation we tolerate differences of religion. Apparently you fail to grasp that and at the same time fail to understand tolerance is not the same thing as being docile to the fact so many of your religious leaders are pushing for death to the West and its citizens.

Well, we had enough and if war or jihad is what your religious leaders want they will probably get it. Where are your moderate religious leaders? Where are the masses of the Muslims you seemingly are a part of? You have allowed radicals to hijack your religon and the Wests perception of it. And you call us ignorant? No, Alu, we are not ignorant. Actions speak louder then words and the actions of radical religious leaders in the Muslim community enjoy the freedoms to spread their hate and bigotry in an effort to incite their blind followers into a world wide Jihad. There is nothing ignorant about us who understand the call for our deaths. By the way. I would bet 99% of all deaths to innocents are perpetuated by Muslims against Muslims in the ME. Therefore my comment that you must be in denial.

Get your head outta the sand and push for Muslim leaders who do not subscribe to such rhetorical hate filled messages and calls of Jihad. So far, the silence of such leaders if there are any, is deafening.
I wish to thank the publisher for posting this comprehensive message on the Internet. This article represents the very best of professional journalism...a rare breath of truth and insight within a cluttered screen of mediocrity and social garbage.
Why is there so much religious / racial intolerance, read some of the comments, its all hate. mao zhe dong was correct, religion was opium fueled by ignorance, to think none of these people have seen yet their god. they die to that, do they, or are they dying because they are fed with fanaticism by their leaders. i doubt, flies & worms consume all. you will only see your god when you do rigtheous acts and more tolerant to one another. its about time people who spouses conflict, behave. and live peaceful lives.
Hate is all inclusive.This kind of fighting and manipulation of the word of God has been done by Major Leaders in Judiasm,Christianity,and Islam. The Original most important moment of all three of these religion which is truly the same religion was Moses. And Gods first and foremost commandment " Thou Shalt not Kill " So if your running around killing people in the Name of The God of Moses, Abraham,Isaac, and Jacob. Your not a Muslim, Jew,or Christian. Your just a twisted sick psycho killer.
I am from Gilgit.once a peaceful city in the northern areas of pakistan.But eversince the saudi wahhabisim backed by saudiarabia and shiaism backed by the Ayatullahs the city is a dreadful ,fearful place to live.What happened to peace and tranquality of the mountains?
To Mr. Rich Siegel, Los Angeles, CA. I wish there were more HUMANS like you so that this world would have been a better place to live rather than being ambitious for the Heavens and Paradise. Your name shows you are a Christian and truly you seem to be fooolowing your Christ who had said: If one hits you on the right cheek offer him the left" (so that he'll be ashamed of his behaviour). The split between sunnis and shias is a creation of the West, moreso the country to whom you belong, the USA, which invaded the weakers of Iraq and flattened everything there for the gains of OIL.. Shias and Sunnis lived for 1400 years in peace and harmony with inter-marriages on both sides. The present schism is being brough by the USA which keeps fuelling the differences (made by them) and comfortably reaps the profits of this inhuman business. This is what the USA and many like you are good for. If you're a true Christian you would be ashamed of yourself, but I am sure you're no better than the ZIONSTS at large. Thanks.
BRAVO Mr. Mohammad Adi for your wisdom. Or, you're using an Islamic name in disguise being a Zionist. Well, on the net anything is possible... You are trying to say that AMERICA (the Islamic nation enemy) to finish yet one more Islamic nation,IRAN. Well, well, you are too good for your words. ISLAM should be proud to be having followers like you, Mr. Muhammad Adi... Or, being Muhammad Adi how much were you paid to say it?
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