Opinion

A Call for Shia-Sunni Dialogue
By Abdul Malik Mujahid
Chicago, IL

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 present 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 dialogue to defeat the terrorists who have been responsible for these killings.

Seven reasons why a dialogue 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 Qur’an 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" (Qur’an 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.

Dialogue allows parties to understand each other better by allowing participants to acquire direct knowledge about beliefs instead of relying on propaganda and stereotypical images. (Qur’an 49:6-12)

Dialogue 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. (Qur’an 5:32)

Revenge is not justice. Killing in revenge is unjust, inhuman, and un-Islamic. Retribution through the state, which the Qur’an 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 Qur’an 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." [Qur’an 5:8]

Some considerations for dialogue ue

The Shia community, like Sunnis, is diverse. There are many differences between one Shia group and another. This is why it is important that dialogue between Sunnis and Shias becomes a movement and a process throughout society instead of everyone waiting for one high powered dialogue to yield some results at the leadership level. Here are some preliminary thoughts on how a dialogue between Shias and Sunnis can be beneficial for each side.

Goals of dialogue ue

Although I consider dialogue 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 dialogue .

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 dialogue

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 dialogue ue

Dialogue 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 dialogue s helped keep conflicts at a minimum. Considering the current level of mistrust, it will be beneficial if civil society takes initiatives for dialogue at all levels of society.

Private Dialogue : Host roundtable discussions initially at the top leadership level that should later expand to include others working on different committees.

Public Dialogue : 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 dialogue ue

Publicity of the dialogue will generate hope and confidence in it and will empower those in dialogue vis-a-vis the extremists.

Media should facilitate self-criticism and introspection by the religious leadership

Those leaders who participate in dialogue 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 dialogue. Sunnis, being members of the majority community, have the higher level of responsibility towards initiating and participating in dialogue

Sponsors of Dialogue

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 dialogue s. American Muslims can start a dialogue in North America where there is no conflict in the Shia-Sunni community and then inspire and sponsor dialogue s where it is needed the most.

Beyond Dialogue

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 Qur’an, 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 dialogue can bear fruit of peace and harmony between both the communities.

If you are an imam/khateeb, please sign and fax or email the attached resolution which was adopted by the Dialogue held on Dec. 25, 2006, in Chicago.

If you are not an imam, get your masjid and imam to sign and then fax or email the attached resolution.

Photo attribution: Patrickringgenberg - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Isfahan_Royal_Mosque_cupola.JPG

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