Israel as a side-order conflict in the Middle East
Yesterday an event occurred in Israel that serves to perhaps show what is the real conflict in the Middle East. No, it is not the Arab-Israeli one thanks for asking.
Nur Al-Yaqin Badern, the Sunni-then-Shia-then-Sunni-Again Imam of the village Ba'ana in Israel caused an uproar in the Muslim community after anouncing that he adopts the Shia sect of Islam. Representatives of the Muslim community in Israel, who is Sunni just like the one in the PA, turned to Israeli ministry of religions in charge of handling religious-state matters in Israel for all religions (such as funding, etc.) calling upon the minister to dismiss the Imam. Mr. Baderan was summoned for a clarification discussion. Following the discussion he anounced he was misunderstood and still is a devote Sunni.
This event shows that the real conflict in the Middle East is not the Arab Israeli one. This conflict, which Secretary General Kofi Annan called the most symbolic conflict of them all (symbolic of what? perhaps Mr. Annan should ask Prof. Huntington...) is simply a battleground between the Shia and Sunni sects of Islam which rages on since the days of the prophet. It is a brutal popularity contest betweenthe sects in which points are socred based on how much damage is inflicted upon Jews. All enlighted Muslims, Jews and Christians should oppose this kind of battle and focus on the real problem in the Middle East. A problem whose lack of resolution poses the true impediment to peace and stability in the Middle East. And that problem is the internal conflict plaguing the Muslim Arab world from Sudan through Iraq and on to Lebanon...
Nur Al-Yaqin Badern, the Sunni-then-Shia-then-Sunni-Again Imam of the village Ba'ana in Israel caused an uproar in the Muslim community after anouncing that he adopts the Shia sect of Islam. Representatives of the Muslim community in Israel, who is Sunni just like the one in the PA, turned to Israeli ministry of religions in charge of handling religious-state matters in Israel for all religions (such as funding, etc.) calling upon the minister to dismiss the Imam. Mr. Baderan was summoned for a clarification discussion. Following the discussion he anounced he was misunderstood and still is a devote Sunni.
This event shows that the real conflict in the Middle East is not the Arab Israeli one. This conflict, which Secretary General Kofi Annan called the most symbolic conflict of them all (symbolic of what? perhaps Mr. Annan should ask Prof. Huntington...) is simply a battleground between the Shia and Sunni sects of Islam which rages on since the days of the prophet. It is a brutal popularity contest betweenthe sects in which points are socred based on how much damage is inflicted upon Jews. All enlighted Muslims, Jews and Christians should oppose this kind of battle and focus on the real problem in the Middle East. A problem whose lack of resolution poses the true impediment to peace and stability in the Middle East. And that problem is the internal conflict plaguing the Muslim Arab world from Sudan through Iraq and on to Lebanon...
posted by The Middle East News Addict at 10:56 PM
2 Comments:
This is very interesting. I was not aware that the 'war' between the two sects was quite so intense.
I knew that battled each other but it seems the rivalry runs much deeper than I had previously thought.
If there were a way for the Sunni and Shia to come together do you think it would somehow stop the agression towards Israel?
Maybe that question sounds a little naive and maybe that isn't exactly what I'm asking.
I guess I'm asking if Sunni and Shia united, would it bring more peace to the Middle East and somehow bring more tolerance towards the Israeli's
Yes, that is close to what I meant to ask.
Actually any further comments you have on this would be interesting to me.
I know people from Palestine.
I think that a lot of violence has to do with environment.
Put into the environment of the US, some Palestinians become business owners and do quite well.
I think for any civiliaztion to flourish an abundance of peace is a prerequisite. Otherwise, how does commerce move forward.
Society needs to be stable for the greater good of all. - I guess that is my opinion.
To David
It is hard to know what would a unification of both Shia amd Sunni Muslims will bring. However at the current time this is less realistic than Iran signing a peace treaty with Israel.
At the moment, this fight against Israel is what some think will bring them together. As a result it is unlikely that a unification through this method will bring reproach with the Israelis. If anything, it might create a radical Islamic behemoth which might spell danger. But this is far far from reality. For Israel now is simply a weapon in a twisted popularity contest between the two sects.
The reality on the ground however, though grim, is still more promising than that as dogma makes way for pragmatism. And this is where your remark on business success comes in.
After Hamas' election many dismissed those who said this was simply a reaction to Fatah corruption as apologetic. But as time continues and the situation on the Palestinian ground becomes more dire; it is becoming more and more evident that this is the case. Even the Hamas government cannot control the Palestinian rage over their condition. That is why they cannot control the crowds.
Perhaps it is my turn to be a little naive but I do believe that the situation in the PA, in Lebanon, in Iran and in Iraq will change for the better and as a result so will Israel's. People are fed up with being toys in the hands of radical imams or right wing Rabbis. All of them are begining to see that the most important things are their safety and future. And this understanding of things as I see them from news around the Arab world is what keeps me cautiously optimistic
Post a Comment
<< Home