ID: 76142 Paper Type: Pages:

ID: 76142 Paper Type: Pages: 3 Topic: Traditional Islam Citation Style: Bibliography: 0 Due: 2007-04-21 06:00:00 Worth: $33.00

Info: I would like a original essay comparing the two resource materials I send you. the first one is : A news article on Sunnis and Shi'ites. THe 2nd is a brief story on the Islamic relgion. THe question I'm presenting in the essay is the following: If islam is such a traditional religion with morlas and values why is ther so muck killing going on? Why is there no peace and beautiful life? I need you to origianl conclusions and why I present them? Patricia There are faxes for this order. Traditional Islam

The Islamic Koran considers life to be a gift from the creator, yet in today's modern world Sunnis and Shiites are not acting as if this is so. From a religion of one founder, Muhammad, has come a critical division that has been heightened by years of political and economic difference. While this difference may seem minor to an outsider, to those who have come under the political influence of the separation between the two sects, this difference is now often the difference between life and death. As witnessed recently in the Iraq, in which Sunnis and Shiites have witnessed increasingly hostility, there is a growing and serious problem of violence and political squabbling. Even though the Islamic faith is very peaceful and traditional with values that are shared by both sects, there is no peace between the two groups, particularly in Iraq and that is growing. The causes for this difference are political, as the two groups have come to view themselves as much more different than they really are and this difference has been reinforced by years of political conflict that has taken a turn for the worse in recent years within Iraq and through the Arabic fear of Iran. It is without a doubt that even to Muslims, the Islamic faith is one of peace and justice under Allah. All people are equal before God is one tenant of the Islamic faith that particularly resonated with the Arabs Muhammad helped to convert in spreading the Islamic faith. Because of this, it is especially surprising and troubling that there is such a level of violence between the two sects of the Islamic faith- the Sunnis and Shiites. In reality, these two groups have much in common besides the same God, but similar languages, customs, ideas, among others. Most interesting to note is that their shared religion preaches tolerance and equality, yet these values are not shared or acted upon within the Arab-Muslim world today. There exists a level of violence, political distrust, and a greater potential for more problems between Sunnis and Shiites. The origins between the problems are a split between the sects after Muhammad's succession, but the realities are that the conflict is tied heavily to political differences. Political power has created a sense of discrepancy and highlighted the difference between the two sects. In areas which are heavily Shiite, they have faced political repression, particular in Iraq. Saddam Hussein fostered hostility towards the Shiites. However even before this more modern time there were differences between the Shiite Persians and Sunni Arabs which incited hostility. The political situation only furthered to heighten the tensions as in many cases the Shiites ruled over the Sunnis and vice verse. British colonialism in the area did nothing to quell the situation, and in particular Iraq has its share of trouble between the two groups. For example during the Iran-Iraq War, many Shiites died against other Shiites from Iran, but Saddam Hussein still treated the Shiite minority poorly. They were a politically oppressed group. Also, in other countries with a Shiite minority, there is a growing concern that Iran controls the loyalties of the groups. This helps to explain the recent outburst in Iraqi violence in which Shiites and Sunnis admit to the hatred and would refuse to even help the other if they are drowning in a river. Many view the Shiite government of Iraq as one of Iranian influence. This means that the recent explosion between of sect related conflict in Iraq can be attributed largely to political reasons. As the political institution of democracy in Iraq has only served to highlight differences between the two groups and encourage violence, violence has ensued. This has carried over to other countries as well who also face a growing threat of violence. As in most cases one group is the minority and another the majority, and maybe each is in power disproportional to its percentage of the population, Sunni and Shiite differences which maybe minor are translated into political problems. And without a doubt, political problems in countries with a recent history of colonization, poor economies, and violence will lead to more violence as a result of politics. This is shown in Iraq as given the opportunity to exercise a political voice has lead to increased violence in an area which had seen conflict, but not the threat of an all out Civil War that it now faces. This equating religious difference to political differences is a troubling proposition given that it does not fit in with the Islamic set of beliefs and because of the tumulus situation already existing in the Middle East. Thus, as with the case in many areas of the world many times throughout history, politics often re-enforce religious cleavages. This is what is happening in Iraq and with the growing opposition to Shiite Iran. Even as these countries are much more unanimous in religions than other countries that do not face religious problems even with more religious divisions, these Arab nations are facing increased risk of religious conflict. This is because political divisions often coincide with religious cleavages, meaning that differences in religion are similar to differences in politics. Politics in these countries with a poor democratic record are either dominated by one or the other, and therefore one group is always being the oppressed. This phenomenon is not unique to the Middle East and the Islamic faith, but does take on greater significance in the area given other considerations taking place. For instance, Iraq faced a major change in government, ideology, and even the invasion of an outside force. The political vacuum opened up was seen as an opportunity by both Sunnis and Shiites and thus the religious differences turn into political ones in Iraq. Furthermore, these countries have troubling political regimes and limited sources of income based upon their natural resources, so any political problems are heightened and there is much more at stake with have a vested interest in politics. There are also historical conflicts and a general sentiment of dislike, but because there is a more recent revival in violence that coincides with politics, political differences can be attributed as the reason for the conflict.