divided, not united. everywhere
ken
On 12/3/15 1:15 PM, Charles wrote:
'Islam is not monolithic.'
This is a misleading statement.Despite the theological differences between the Sunnis and the Shiites, when one considers Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two nations sitting on the two opposite ends of the Islamic community, one will observe that their values vis-a-vis application of Sharia in public life, freedom of religion, etc. appear to be very similar.
These two groups form about 97% of all Muslim population. The remaining 3% includes Ahmadis and other reformist groups. One can observe that the values of these groups are quite distinct from the traditionalist views. What is interesting is the mainstream Islam's denunciation of these as un-Islamic.
So, yes, Islam is not monolithic, one cannot expect 1.5 billion individuals to have similar views on everything. Similarly, Christianity is not monolithic either. However, just as Christians have a Nicaean creed, Islam as a system of beliefs has a minimum number of uniform doctrines that distinguishes it from other faiths. Any variation from those set of beliefs and values is regularly considered 'heretic'. This is why we consider the mainstream denunciation of Ahmadis and reformist groups to be quite interesting because those groups tend to represent the most liberal, inclusive and open-minded values one can find within Islam.
There is a sense where Islam is very monolithic. And that is the matter of great concern for some of us.
Charles.--
On Wed, Dec 2, 2015 at 12:46 AM, Cornelius Hamelberg <corneliushamelberg@gmail.com> wrote:
--Such clarity ! Re- "Al Qaeda as well as ISIS and Laskar-e-Taiba are Sunni political expansionist organizations who see USA and her NATO allies as their primary enemies." In the current circumstances with Russia , Iran and ASsad on the same side is Russia not also a primary enemy of Al-Qaeda and ISIS?
On Tuesday, 1 December 2015 18:13:12 UTC+1, Oluwatoyin Adepoju wrote:
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Anil Chawla hindusta...@gmail.com [akandabaratam] <akanda...@yahoogroups.com>
Date: 30 November 2015 at 05:21
Subject: [akandabaratam] Sunni Terrorism
Dear friends,
Namaskar,
Europe has been woken up from its complacence by the attack in Paris. Terrorism is once again the topic of discussion.
It appears that the world is heading towards or is already into a global conflict. In this atmosphere, it is most challenging to keep one's head on one's shoulders and understand the changing scenario without losing one's perspective.
This week I have written a very short article which argues that Islam is not a monolithic religion and the word Islamic Terrorism is a misnomer. It is better to use labels like Sunni Expansionism.
Look forward to your views on the article.
With best wishes and regards,
Anil Chawla
_________________________________________________________
Moving Beyond Islamic Terrorism
Author – Anil Chawla
Islamic or Muslim Terrorism is a term that is often used, even though there are some who insist that terrorism has no religion. Terrorists who blew up the Twin Towers or the ones who attacked in Mumbai or Paris often use Islamic texts to justify their acts. I do not have significant knowledge of Islam to be able to decide whether terrorist acts are truly Islamic or not. However, I do know that terrorists believe that their acts are Islamic. And I am wise enough to never try to argue with a man holding a gun. So, I nod my head in agreement and concede that their acts are indeed Islamic.
From a perspective of a Hindu observer trying to make sense out of the various developments across the globe, I feel that the label Islamic terrorism is grossly inadequate and is indeed misleading. Islam is not a monolithic structure. The divisions among the different sects of Islam are so sharp and bitter that it is worthwhile to look at Islam as many separate identities. The animosity among Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Ahmedis and such other sects is so fiery that the label Islamic is practically meaningless and should be avoided.
I most humbly propose that the labels for terrorism or for political expansionism be based on the sects – Sunni, Shia etc. For example, ISIS is clearly a Sunni organization believing in Sunni political expansionist ideology and using terror as a tool. My Shia friends in Lucknow have probably as much aversion to ISIS as any Christian or Hindu. Calling ISIS as Islamic terrorist organization inadvertently gives the absolutely wrong impression that Shias in Lucknow also support ISIS.
Iran is the leader and supporter of Shia organizations across the world. Iran may have its own political expansionist agenda which is distinctly Shia and anti-Sunni. One must not commit the mistake of bracketing Iranian political agenda with that of distinctly Sunni Saudi Arabia.
The divide between Shias and Sunnis (other sects of Islam are relatively small) is a historical reality that no one can deny. Developments of the past few weeks indicate that Russian leadership understands this divide very well. Russia's joining hands with Iran has clearly strengthened the Shias.
USA and most western countries have been friendly with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan posing that their relationship is based on economic, secular and strategic considerations. USA and her allies have in the past chosen to be blind to the religious aspect of their meddling in West Asia and Africa. It is high time that they realized that their intentional blindness has hurt them enormously. Al Qaeda as well as ISIS and Laskar-e-Taiba are Sunni political expansionist organizations who see USA and her NATO allies as their primary enemies.
Moving from an omnibus label like Islamic terrorism to sharply defined labels like Sunni or Shia organizations will bring higher level of clarity in strategic thinking in non-Muslim world. War on Terror cannot be won by muddled thinking.
Anil Chawla29 November 2015
Copyright – All Rights Free
ANIL CHAWLA is an engineer and a lawyer by qualification but a philosopher by vocation and an advocate & strategic consultant by profession. For past works, please visit www.samarthbharat.com
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