Shia-Sunni Conflict: A Nation at War with Itself

Once again, Muslims identified as Shi’a were killed in Pakistan. Once again, in retaliation, Muslims identified as Sunnis were killed. Once again, Shi’a and Sunni leaders vowed in public to fight the scourge of sectarianism, and once again many of them in private spoke against each other.

The way Muslims have been killing each other in some parts of the world in the name of Allah for preserving the identity of their sect is unfortunate and unacceptable. Even though it is carried out in the name of Allah, it has nothing to do with either Allah or the teachings of Allah. Those who indulge in these kinds of acts are criminal scoundrels and murderers, regardless of the title they carry with them or the status they enjoy. Those who provoke the killing and those who carry out the killing argue that they are serving Allah and earning a place in paradise without looking at the hell they create in the life of their community and the country.. How un-Islamic and cruel is the thought that Allah can be pleased only when part of His creation is killed and when they destroy the places where people seek His Countenance. How barbaric is the idea that Allah will even be more pleased if the blood is shed in a masjid or a place of worship. Those who use any justification to provoke violence in the name of Allah must be confronted boldly without any inhibitions.

[thanks YA]