Iran-US Interaction Directly Linked to Security of Muslims
The difference between the Shiite and Sunni sects is a reality that has existed in the majority of Muslim countries since a long time ago. A study of the books and articles written by Shiite and Sunni scholars shows that many of the scholars and clerics on both sides have written their ideas in this regard in the span of hundreds of years. Following the Islamic Revolution, Iran created opportunities for unity between the Shiites and Sunnis and called the movement of the Iranian people “Islamic and not Shiite”. Imam Khomeini, as the religious leader of the Shiites, issued significant fatwas in this regard, the most important of which was the permission to follow the prayers led by Sunnis in the Friday prayers and group prayers, especially in Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabawi. The designation of the week of unity by the Islamic Republic of Iran on the anniversary of the Prophet’s birth has been an effort to reduce historical differences between Muslims and to assemble them under the flag of unity and ‘there is no God but Allah’. During the past three decades, Iran has attempted to strengthen the anti-West and anti-East views among Muslims and also transform the issue of Palestine from an Arab issue into the concern of all Muslims, whether Arab or non-Arab. But the intelligence services of the West, by using the historical grounds of differences between the Sunni and Shiite Muslims, have attempted to take advantage of these differences in order to be safe from the attacks of the Salafi groups and al-Qaeda against Israel and the US. The massacre of more than 100 Shiites in Pakistan during recent months and attacks against Shiite mosques in Iraq, which have left more than a thousand dead and thousands injured, and also the killing of praying Muslims in Muslim countries are indicative of the seriousness of the challenge and the success of the dominating powers in spreading difference among Muslims.
Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the credibility of clerics grew not only among the Shiites, but also among the Sunnis and the position of the Islamic scholars was strengthened in the field of politics as well. For example, in Iran’s Baluchistan and Kurdistan provinces, the structure of their local administration, which was feudal and based on big families and tribes during many years before the revolution, was changed and the Islamic Republic strengthened the Sunni scholars against the heads of local tribes. I believe that, in this regard, there was no scenario of foresight in these regions. Meanwhile, many of the radical movements, like al-Qaeda, have taken advantage of this opportunity to strengthen themselves among Sunni Muslims. At the beginning of its formation, the al-Qaeda movement was considered a Sunni movement which fought against the occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union and which intended to save this country from the domination of the non-believers. During the occupation of Afghanistan, Iran also viewed the Afghani Mujahideen with a revolutionary view and supported them in many cases. But unfortunately the Sunni scholars were not able to prevent these jihadi groups from resorting to radicalism and they have practically been directed by US plans and Pakistan’s intelligence service and recently in cooperation with Saddam’s Baath party in Iraq. During recent years, al-Qaeda and some Salafi movements that cooperate with them have unfortunately attacked defenseless Shiites in some Islamic countries like Iraq and Pakistan instead of fighting against US domination in the Middle East and attempting to liberate Palestine from the hands of the Zionists. In Syria, they have formed the al-Nusra front and enflamed ethnic clashes. It has now become clear that the tribal texture in many regions has had more power in preventing the radicalism of groups like al-Qaeda and ethnic violence in some regions like Baluchistan and the Tigris-Euphrates region can be better prevented through the heads of the tribes. One of today’s problems for the Shiites and Sunnis is the lack of unity and convergence among these two important Muslim sects. At the present time, the lack of unity and convergence between the Shiites and the Sunnis has created numerous problems for Muslims in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Lebanon and these problems are very provocative and dangerous. Obviously, as long as there is no convergence between the Shiite power in Iran and the Sunni power in countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt and as long as the financial aid of countries like Qatar to the armed radicals is not prevented, the killings and violence between these two groups of Muslims will continue.
Under the present conditions, the US seeks to use opportunities in the Middle East region to achieve its interests. Whenever there has been cooperation between Iran and the US over common interests – like the downfall of Saddam and the removal of the Taliban – in the region, the security of Muslims has been increased, hence, the killing of innocent people has been reduced. But when the dialogues have been distanced from each other and contradictions have increased in this field, the region has witnessed more violence and killings between the Muslims, particularly in the Shiite-inhabited regions. Unfortunately, negative propaganda, attacks, and killings against the Shiites and sacred places have always been started by some Wahhabi and Salafi Sunni radicals and this is a historical fact. The destruction of the tombs of the sacred Imams and recently that of the 11th Imam in Samarra and the killing of pilgrims in Iraq have caused the Shiites to react when they have been disappointed by the support of their governments in reacting to these violent measures taken by al-Qaeda and the Salafis. But even this has not solved the problem. Therefore, it can be said that it is necessary that the dialogue between the Sunnis and the Shiites distance itself from violence and advance towards convergence. It is recommended in the Holy Quran to reach agreement with the followers of other religions over common positions.
Therefore, I believe that the role of the governments in controlling the crisis and challenges between the Shiites and the Sunnis in the region is very important. Meanwhile, with the help of other Muslim countries, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran must design a comprehensive scenario to solve these issues so that the policy which existed in the early days of the revolution for convergence among the Shiites and Sunnis can advance in practice and in dialogues. Nevertheless, in order to reduce the challenge of confrontation between the Shiites and the Sunnis in the world of Islam, it is necessary that the Muslims return to the dialogue of Imam Khomeini in the beginning of the Islamic Revolution about unity among Muslims and follow the path of the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet and the Ahl al-Bayt in brotherhood and friendship.