Dr. Hamid Mavani discusses roots of conflict
At the conclusion of Islam Awareness Week, Dr. Hamid Mavani gave an insightful discourse over the “The Prospect of a Sunni-Shiite Rapprochement.”
Mavani spoke last night in UMC 235 to explain the situation between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Mavani is a professor of religion at Claremont Graduate University and holds a doctorate in Islamic studies. He is also an established author and a specialist in interfaith dialogue and community work.
The conflict between Sunni and Shiite Muslims concerns the interpretation of the Koran.
Sunnis interpret that Muhammad did not give a formula for who his next successor would be. Sunnis believe the successor should be nominated and elected by the people.
Shiites believe Mohammad did indeed name a successor and he shall be Ali, Mavani said.
Although Shiites and Sunnis are two different sects, they still believe the Koran is a source of equity, fairness, dignity and honor. Mavani said the sects need to agree on a middle path to sort out their disagreements.
Sara Azimi, sophomore international affairs major, said she wonders what that middle way should be.
“Who decides that middle? To Americans, I’m too conservative. To someone coming from the Middle-East, I can be too liberal.”
Mavani also said the tension between Sunnis and Shiites grows because of outside influences. Outside influences, such as the Taliban, put religious labels on their agendas to cause sectarian violence.
Most suicide bombers in Iraq aren’t even from Iraq, Mavani said. Suicide bombers come in from different states and all have animosity toward the U.S., cultivate extremism and have no sense of remorse.
Azimi said she agrees with Mavani. She lived in an Iranian province bordering Pakistan. The majority of people in the province were Sunnis and a different ethnic group than Shiites. Sunnis generally married within their sect, but there was never any tension between the two.
Since the beginning of the war, the Taliban have moved in to her province and, in the name of religion, started bombing Shiites because their religious doctrine justifies it.
The Koran includes many things dealing with animal rights, the ecosystem, human life and war. The document needs to be interpreted to give reason to stop fighting, Mavani said.
“I hope that we all benefited from these speeches,” said Abdallah El-Yacoubi, a sophomore business major at the conclusion of the event.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Gary Black at gary.black@thecampuspress.com
