You are a Shia, I am a Sunni, Lets FIGHT

As the paradox states, I am not a sunni but sectarian violence between different sects in Muslims is turning out to be a major problem in the 21st century. As the month of Moharram began, this violence has increased substantially. The sad news is that this act of terrorism will not end any time soon as the hatred has been fueled for over 1400 years and many brain-washed, un-educated or anger-riden people are still fueling this crime. Every year it hurts my heart when I hear about the bomb blasts and firings in a shia gathering during this month. Then later on we sometimes tends to hear about a shia retaliation and this is a never ending story in which many innocent lives are lost, many families are destroyed and emotions are ignited all in the name of the SAME religion. 

It might be interesting and beneficial to take a look back in the history when and where this violence started. It is not new in a religion that such sectarian violence takes place. Christianity is divided into many sects and for a period of time violence and crusades were nothing new.  The sad story of Islam is that this violence began right after the Prophet's death in Saqifa and then Jamal and Siffeen took place. The focal point turned out to be the Battle of Kerbala which Shiites commemorate every year as the Grandson of the Prophet was slaughtered in the desert of Kerbala and his family was taken hostage all in the pseudo-name of protecting Islam. Then couple of revolutions took places, governments were overthrown but this struggle of political power led to the division of Muslims in factions with each following those who they believe have been the rightful appointees and declaring war against the followers of the other factions. The result turned out to be that we are still waging this war after 1400 years.

The culprit sadly turns out to be those leaders who have not understood the mere fact the Islam means "peace" and fighting on the basis of petty differences will make not change anyone's mindset. The brainwashing strategy seems to be a very common weapon in creating this mass destruction. People tend to believe their leaders as they think such leaders will know what is right and what is wrong when instead they become the victims of the short end of the stick. The bottom line of the issue is the fact that people are ignorant and do not want to learn religion but want to accept it just the way they are told. They don't want to study or read the scriptures and thus are taken advantage by some vicious people who portray themselves as very learned and then take advantage of such innocent folks by attracting them with false hopes and the power of money. Illiteracy when fueled with anger, ego and emotions creates the perfect concoction of sectarian violence. 

The only way we can solve this issue is to teach people and let them ask questions and then let them decide what they feel is the correct path. Our leaders will probably never take a step back but now its up to us to differentiate between the good ones and the bad ones because a single rotten fish can make the entire pond dirty and only a very small amount of poison is needed to kill a person. With the majority of leaders being good, we need to find a way to educate people so that they can differentiate between who is right and who is wrong and who should be condemned and who is fueling a war for his own benefits. Lets educate instead of propagate so we can discuss and solve our problems instead of increasing them.