Good Question:::::: “The question is ‘how are we going to accept these people if they apply Islamic law?’”
You and Jeff and Jonah, are right...it is a complicated matter. How would you tell one from the other if they were standing on the street, with western style clothes on?
And here in the western world, we've made a habit of not paying attention to cultural or religious differences, at least by the appearances of them. And yet, the folks who insist on veils, or full covered wear, certainly are trying to distinguish themselves, and seem not to be trying to fit in.
Basically, I think most here in the Western world, don't care what people wear....as long as we can identify each other on drivers licenses, birth certificates or other pieces of ID when required. We have to pay attention to their rules when in their country....that needs to be the same here. IMO.
Found some interesting sites on that question.... We have been so PC in this country (for heaven's sake, don't have a 10 commandments anyplace in sight....or a Christmas scene, etc....BUT we are supposed to have places, and time, for 5 times a day to face Mecca and pray? And a month off for Ramaden? ETC)
Fundamental Differences
by Christine Benedetti
While conflict between the United States and Iraq is relatively new, tensions between the Shiite and Sunni Muslims in Iraq have been simmering for centuries. And now, as Saddam Hussein’s control over the country appears finished, relations between the two groups face new challenges in their efforts to rebuild the government.
In Iraq, 80 percent of the country is populated by Muslims, with 60 percent of these being Shiites, according to the World Almanac and Book of Facts. However, with Sunni Muslim Saddam Hussein as head of state, the Shiite population has been largely ignored, and at times repressed, for over a decade. With U.S. occupation of Iraq, things are looking different for the Shiites.
“This is truly an amazing day,” said Jasam Hamad, a Shiite Muslim in Basra on April 11, according to a New York Times article. “For 35 years we had to pray in our homes or in secret, but not anymore.”
In the early 1990s, after the Iraq-Iran War, Hussein began to shift from basing political motives purely on politics and began to emphasize an Islamic aspect. As a result, a series of oppressive measures were placed on the Shiites including shutting down mosques and monitoring their prayers, according to a New York Times article.
Hadi Armouche, president of the Muslim Students Association at the University of Washington, questions Hussein’s motives during this era. “Saddam didn’t practice what Sunni Muslims believe,” said Armouche, a Sunni himself. “He was oppressing everyone, and although he tried to change his image he was still just a tyrant.”
The division between Shiite and Sunni Muslims occurred more than 1,000 years ago during the formations of an Islamic nation. According to encylopedia.com, Sunnis worship the first four caliphs (spiritual heads of state) as Muhammad’s successors, but the Shiites only recognize the fourth, Ali, because he is an alleged descendent of Muhammad. Shiites and Sunnis do maintain many of the same Muslim practices such as fasting, praying five times a day, and making a “haj” to the holy land, Mecca. “This basic political split is what divides them,” said Armouche. “But, it’s only political, and in all other ways Sunni and Shiite are very similar.”
Ahmed Souaiaia, a lecturer on Islam and Islamic Law at the University of Washington, said there is no real tension between Sunni and Shiites and the real problem lies within government and political ideologies. “Saddam as a Sunni did not create a special tension against Shiite,” said Souaiaia. “He victimized people who disagreed with policies rather than because of ethnicity.”
With Saddam’s regime and the Baath Party out of power, concerns about the restructuring of the Iraqi state are being raised. One element many agree upon is the inclusion of Sunni, Shiite and the Kurds of Northern Iraq in the rebuilding process.
According to Souaiaia, during a prayer session today in Iraq both Shiites and Sunni joined together in stressing unity between groups when establishing a new Iraqi government.
“It depends on how much the U.S. will include the Shiites, and so far they haven’t,” said Deborah Wheeler, an adjunct assistant professor in Middle East Studies and Near Eastern Languages and Civilization at the University of Washington. “But, an Iraq that doesn’t include them will be very unstable.”
Worldwide there are roughly one billion Muslims, according the World Almanac and Book of Facts. Of these, 90 percent are Sunni, thereby creating an unusual situation in Iraq with its Shiite Muslim majority.
Brooke Santos is a senior at the University of Washington who converted to Islam two years ago, and is a member of the Muslim Students Association. Santos said that she believes separation between Shiite and Sunni is less obvious in the United States, but aside from location, it is important for unity to be the priority anywhere. “I think working together to reinforce those divisions is a bad idea,” said Santos. “Drawing distinctions discourages people to get along.”
Armouche, Santos, and Souaiaia all said they would like to see Shiites and Sunnis be part of the new government, and to leave them out would be a mistake.
Apparently, thousands of Iraqi citizens feel the same way as they demonstrated against the U.S. military presence on Friday, but simultaneously called for solidarity between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, according to an Associated Press article.
“The biggest problem for Iraq is now based on freedom of expression,” said Armouche. “The question is ‘how are we going to accept these people if they apply Islamic law?’”
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More----->>>>>
en.wikipedia.org
hnn.us
islamonline.com
What Is the Difference Between Sunni and Shiite Muslims--and Why Does It Matter?
courses.washington.edu |
