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A Call for Shia Sunni Dialog
Why and How
By
Abdul Malik Mujahid
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
- others
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-à-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 other’s 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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