As I have read about the growing conflict in Iraq between
ISIS (The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) and the Iraqi government, I find
myself wondering if there is someone or some group within the Islamic world
that can help these two Muslim factions avoid massive casualties and untold
suffering on either side. ISIS is primarily led by Sunni Muslims, whereas the
president Nouri al-Maliki and the ruling faction in Iraq are primarily made up
of Shia Muslims. Meanwhile various governments in the Mideast have lined up on
one side or the other: Saudi Arabia, al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and ISIS are Sunni
while the government of Syria, Iran, and Hezbollah (Lebanon) are Shia. While I
don’t fully understand the difference between the two groups or the reason for
the conflict, there has obviously been a long standing animosity between
extreme elements in both groups which has led to the current conflict. As much
as we in the West worry about Islamic extremism, the ones who have suffered and
died the most are Muslims themselves.
While there are political conservatives like John McCain and Dick Cheney calling for Pres. Obama to insert U.S. troops into
the conflict, others like myself have wondered, couldn’t we serve in some
mediating role. However, when one looks at the whole situation, it is clear
that the United States and most of Europe have lost credibility and therefore
the ability and to serve any constructive role in the region. Recently, John
Stewart beautifully and succinctly outlined the West’s problem in the region in a
segment he called “Middle Eastern Politics: a Love Story.” While some U.S.
officials have warmed to the idea of Iran coming to the aid of the Iraqi
government, our dependence on oil form Saudi Arabia keeps us from getting too
close to Iranians. Meanwhile we are also dependent on Iraqi oil, so how do we respond without alienating our allies/potential allies or are oil-rich business partners?(As an aside this does help make the case for alternative energy sources and lessening our dependence on oil).
Recently in church I found myself praying that someone with
credibility with or within the Muslim world might arise and address the problem
of this divide. The NY Times reported that a Shiite cleric has called for his fellow Shiites to join the military battle against the Sunni based ISIS. That wasn’t the kind of action I was hoping for. From what I can see from here
there is no clear good side or bad side; both have suffered oppression,
alienation, violence and endless suffering. To turn on each other as they often
do, only heightens all of those things.
Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu, returned to India in 1914 to find his
country suffering under British rule while also deeply divided between Hindus
and Muslims. Through the force of his vision and message, he was able to lead
these disparate factions in an effort that eventually led to Indian
independence. Even so, he was killed by a Hindu extremists, and the former
British colony eventually divided into three countries (India, Pakistan and
Bangladesh) divided in part by religious belief. However, in his time Gandhi
was able to help them see beyond their differences to a common cause.
Likewise, while still in prison Nelson Mandela began
brokering a deal with the apartheid government that not only led to his
release, but also enabled him to call for the Truth and Reconciliation
commission, whose role was to invite perpetrators of violence and atrocities to
acknowledge their actions in exchange for pardon. The TRC and Mandela went a
long way from preventing South African from spiraling into racial violence. While there are still great disparity between whites and blacks in South Africa, Mandela did leave a framework for bringing justice peacefully.
From my interaction with Muslims in this country I have
found them to be peace-loving people who long for the same kinds of things, that
I as a Christian long for my community and world. We all want equity, freedom from
oppression and the liberty to pursue of life of meaning and purpose. I refuse to be deceived by the media stereotype of Muslims as extremists. I will no more judge
the Islamic faith by those who use it as a lever for power, than I would want
my Christian faith to be evaluated on the basis of rabid, gun-toting Christian
white supremacists. At the heart of the
Christian faith is a commitment to justice, reconciliation and peace, and I
have found the same sentiments among my Muslim brothers and sisters. While our belief
systems differ, our concern for human need and the just ends we seek does not.
The continuing conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Israel-Palestine,
Yemen, Iran and elsewhere are deeply troubling and frankly quite scary. Violent
conflict never has and never will bring a modicum of peace to the region. So I
find myself praying for a Muslim Gandhi, or a Mandela or some group with the
will and credibility within the Islamic world, to arise to help bring sanity to
an insane conflict and deeply divided part of the world.
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