The fruits of sectarianism, Sunni vs. Shia

[theist]

Interesting to note that the rift between Sunni and Shia is over how the succession of prophets from Muhammad after his death was to be carried out. Some favored a committee of elders to choose the next leader(Sunni) while others favored a blood line succession (Shia). (sound familiar?) Now they are at the point of blowing each other up in street, already in Iraq and starting up in Lebanon.

-------------------

 

 

 

Press fears new Lebanon civil war

Newspapers in the Middle East view the situation in Lebanon with alarm, expressing fears the country could be heading for a new civil war.

Some commentators accuse the West of propping up the government of Fouad Siniora, which they view as corrupt.

An Omani paper calls for the introduction of a neutral Arab force to keep the peace, while an Israeli daily speaks of "grave concern" for Israel's security following the recent war with Hezbollah.

<!--Sch1--> IRAN'S JOMHURI-YE ESLAMI <!--Ech1-->

The passive reaction of America, England and France and regional rulers to the huge gathering of the people in Lebanon supporting Hezbollah and asking for a change of government proves that the current government in Lebanon is a puppet and the continuation of its activities contradicts Lebanon's sovereignty.

<!--Sch1--> SYRIA'S TISHRIN <!--Ech1-->

Foreign interference, which is unprecedented, is possibly the main factor which has added to the fears national forces [in Lebanon] have about the government's performance. Interference has become a phenomenon through the activities of [foreign] ambassadors, particularly the US ambassador.

<!--Sch1--> SYRIA'S AL-THAWRAH <!--Ech1-->

The last word in the Lebanese political conflict rests with the people, who have decided to bring down the government of corruption, embassies and a monopoly on power. The people's decision will not be rescinded.

<!--Sch1--> JORDAN'S AL-RA'Y <!--Ech1-->

Interference in the Lebanese crisis by Riyad, Cairo, London, Washington and Paris as well as Damascus and Tehran means that the final decision is no longer in the hands of the Lebanese people.

<!--Sch1--> JORDAN'S AL-DUSTUR <!--Ech1-->

Lebanon: Confrontation between the national project and the American project.

<!--Sch1--> LEBANON'S AL-SAFIR <!--Ech1-->

[Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad] Siniora has no alternative at this stage to taking a risk and resorting to the culture of the street. Siniora deserves support, not only because he has been wronged, but also because he is the quintessence of stability and its last guarantee.

<!--Sch1--> EGYPT'S AL-AHRAM <!--Ech1-->

The main problem is that there is a political and constitutional vacuum in Lebanon that has resulted in a power struggle between forces that see themselves as being marginalised in favour of a group seeking to exploit the situation to enlarge its role.

<!--Sch1--> EGYPT'S AL-JUMHURIYAH <!--Ech1-->

The escalation of the Lebanese crisis will open the door wide to foreign intervention, particularly from Israel, which ended the recent war wounded and seeking revenge to restore its lost military and political prestige. We call on all Lebanese parties to resume national dialogue and respond to all sides' legitimate demands to head off foreign interference which is aimed at sparking off another civil war.

<!--Sch1--> SAUDI ARABIA'S AL-RIYADH <!--Ech1-->

If the situation escalates, the spectre of civil war will move closer. The Lebanese people must use their consciences and recall what the recent civil war did to their country.

<!--Sch1--> OMAN'S AL-WATAN <!--Ech1-->

Lebanon needs neutral Arab forces to take steps to avert the threat of civil war.

<!--Sch1--> UNITED ARAB EMIRATES' AL-BAYAN <!--Ech1-->

There is a growing Arab conviction that the Lebanese crisis is nearing the point of no return.

<!--Sch1--> BAHRAIN'S AL-WASAT <!--Ech1-->

What is happening extends beyond Lebanon's borders. This country has two choices: either re-establish a state within a new demographic framework or be left exposed as an arena for all international and regional conflicts.

<!--Sch1--> ISRAEL'S HA'ARETZ <!--Ech1-->

It is no coincidence that there is grave concern in Jerusalem regarding recent developments in Beirut . Not only is the pressure by pro-Hezbollah and pro-Syrian demonstrators liable to cause the government of Fouad Siniora to collapse, but it may also spark a new civil war in Lebanon. If Siniora's government falls, the Sunni leader will be forced to make concessions to Syria and its allies, and possibly undermine the sole major achievement of Israel in the second Lebanon war - namely, the arrangements made along the border. It is hard to imagine European troops in southern Lebanon staying if Hassan Nasrallah signals that Hezbollah intends to target them.

[Sridas]

Leave Al and their mates to their sectarian fruit salad.

It's better to get on with the life of Bhakti.

Why bother to join their disturbance

It's like a family dispute. You enter into it to mediate and they'll turn their fire on you.

[theist]

Yeah it's a mess. But there is a good example of where sectarianism and party spirit can lead behind the making of the mess that we all should be cognizant of.

[Kulapavana]

 

Interesting to note that the rift between Sunni and Shia is over how the succession of prophets from Muhammad after his death was to be carried out. Some favored a committee of elders to choose the next leader(Sunni) while others favored a blood line succession (Shia).

 

one more time religion is used by the power hungry people to obtain material benefits. Iraqi conflict is all about filling the power vacuum left by US forces removing Saddam. Now the spinmasters are making it into a religious war. typical response to a very predictable problem.

[theist]

 

one more time religion is used by the power hungry people to obtain material benefits. Iraqi conflict is all about filling the power vacuum left by US forces removing Saddam. Now the spinmasters are making it into a religious war. typical response to a very predictable problem.

 

I think you make a HUGE mistake in this case. The militant Islamists are firm believers in Shiria law and see the country states as mere tools to implement the Sharia law of Islam throughout society. Ever hear of the Taliban? Yes they want power but they want it to push on their Islam.

 

Hezbollah is funded and controlled by Iran. They are Shia. They want to dominant Iraq and Lebanon. Hezzbolah are already training Iraq Shia militants and now Hezzbolah is attempting to rule in Lebannon. Yes individual desires for power always play a part in all this jockeying for position but that happens in the religious field and not just the capitalist v. communists fields.

 

You may want to investigate the Iranian presidents( Madimijab or whatever the hell his name is) beliefs concerning the coming of their awaited prophet messiah who is to appear after the great war with Israel. Similar to how some way out Christians are believing Jesus is to come again at the great war in Israel Armageddon.

 

Big mistake to set aside the religious convictions of these people as mere "attempts to get power." Their motivations run deeper and more specific then that.

[Kulapavana]

 

Big mistake to set aside the religious convictions of these people as mere "attempts to get power." Their motivations run deeper and more specific then that.

 

the same can be said about the forces that caused this war in US and Israel. Yet I still see it all as typical material struggle for power. I have seen Catholic Church in Poland struggle to regain material power they had prior to WW2. Eventually they succeeded and are now the dominant political force there. Religion had very little to do with that. A mere tool in the hands of ambitious people forming ambitious organizations.

 

The US based evangelical churches blindly support Israel because they believe the second coming is just around the corner. Do you know the origin of that idea? It is not the Gospel of John but idea developed by Talmudic scholars for the benefit of Israel.

 

Big time demons whip up peoples religious sentiments for political reasons - the idea is very old and works every time. Religion, race, nationality, patritism - are all tools of the Kali-yuga puppet masters. Read the vedic descriptions of this age of Kali. here is one of them: demons masquarade as religious leaders deluding ignorant masses.

 

look closer to home. what was the real motivation of leaders who at one time made a mess in our movement? mere enjoyment of power and wealth, isnt it? so now the other side wants a piece of that pie too, and they are making waves. in the middle are the simple and naive devotees just trying to live and make spiritual progress - yet they are being constantly manipulated by clever ideas and high sounding words. see the similarities?

[theist]

It is taken for granted that religon is still in the material sphere. That is not in contention. Sectarianism is materialism with desire for power and dominance. "We are right and God is with us, you are wrong and God wants us to oppose you".