Muslim Sectarian Violence Eclipsing the GWOT

The December issue of Al Ummah contains an article by Dr. Suleman Dangor which makes perceptive comments on the circumstances surrounding the 'inhumane' way al Qadhdhafi was killed. The article, entitled, "The Libyan Tragedy," rhetorically asks, "Did al Qadhdhafi's regime rob the people of Libya of all principles and sense of ethics through its ... despotism and tyranny?"

However, this conclusion begs a couple more questions, "Does Dangor's critique apply to Iraq and Afghanistan countries that have become hotbeds of sectarian violence?" Considering that thousands of Muslims have been killed by fellow Muslims, one wonders "What are the root causes?" In fact, now that most foreign troops have left, Iraq's civilian death toll is not expected to drop - it will likely "continue for years to come" because of sectarian infighting.

Also one might ponder whether this critique is relevant to Syria where the death toll has reached almost 6,000 during 2011. The question also arises, Does Dangor's critique apply to Egypt where the struggle for liberation from tyranny continues to drag on 8 months after Mubarak was deposed? This situation is all the more complicated by the fact that in this struggle the blood of Christian and Muslim protesters has been 'mixed'.

Bearing in mind, all these countries are Muslim... Dr Salim Mansur, a professor at the University of Western Ontario, makes a similar point as Dangor although he uses a lense with a wider angle. Mansur observes in his article, "The Mark of Cain," that Muslim blood-letting has plagued citizens of Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia and Pakistan. Then he adds, "Muslim on Muslim violence is intrinsic to Arab-Muslim history. The tribal lust for power and cruelty in warfare are not unique to Middle East culture. But such tribalism warped Islam as a faith tradition in the early seventh century, right at the outset of the post-prophetic years. Among its first victims were Prophet Mohammed’s family members: his cousin and son-in-law Ali, and his grandsons Hasan and Husayn.

In the politically-correct climate of our times, non-Muslims are reluctant to say anything critical of Islam, yet here is a Muslim brave enough to tell it like it is!

Undoubtedly, some Muslim readers will feel perplexed, "How can Mansur, a practising Muslim, criticize fellow-Muslims so shamelessly? Doesn't he know that those in the Ummah ought to uphold the honor of our religion, not disgrace Islam?"

On the other hand, perhaps Mansur's heart searching questions have a positive purpose? Solomon wisely said, "An open rebuke is better than hidden love... If you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser." (Proverbs 27:5; 19:25)

Feeling shame is unpleasant but Scripture intends a positive outcome is possible. We see this in the prayer of the psalmist in Psalm 83:16; "Cover their faces with shame so that men will seek your name, O LORD."

If you take the time to read the whole Psalm you will see that the people in view were near neighbors of Israel. Their hatred of Israel was evident in their plotting to destroy her. The people listed in this psalm as allied against Israel includes: the Ishmaelites, Moabites, Hagrites, Amalekites and people of Tyre. This Psalm was written more than 25 centuries ago but the current political landscape is not really different. Today's descendants of these ancient enemies of Israel (as listed in Psalm 83) still hate the Israelites.

If you wish to read a more detailed analysis, I suggest you google the online article, "When Nations Shake: A Prophetic Perspective."