Shiites and Sunnis: A Reason for Hope

The lead article in today’s New York Times is titled, “Shiites in Iraq Show Restraint as Sunnis Attack.” The article describes the response by Shiites in response to the recent bombing of their mosques and compares it to the response in 2006 when there was extensive sectarian violence and a real danger of a civil war.

The response today seems to be largely one of restraint. The Shiites are being counseled by their political and religious leaders not to retaliate, and even the Sunni leaders are promoting non-violence. It seems that the Shiites are finally realizing that the real goal of the terrorists is to spark conflict, and that is the only way the terrorists will win.

In my opinion, this development is remarkable. The conflict between the Sunnis and the Shiites goes back more than 1,000 years, and if they are able to recognize the futility of violence and retaliation, well, then, isn’t the same possible for any conflict? Even the Israelis and Palestinians can hope to live together in harmony if the Sunnis and Shiites can bury the hatchet.

The non-violent response of the Shiites also encourages the moderate branch of Islam. The Shiite religion focuses on the value of enduring suffering in the hope of a better tomorrow, and what better lesson to encourage on the Arab street?