Consider the controversy between Shiite and Sunni competitive traditions…
how does the lineage of a tradition determine its authenticity for Muslims ? …
What determines authenticity and morality of the prevailing social hierarchy?
Anthropology drives for us the connections through geography, substance and lineage, the traditional markers of hierarchal order legitimate the ordering of men (and purdah) in contrast of the local folkloristic idealisms and doctrine of the prophet”
imam is the person who leads prayer in mosques…
the divide of Shiite and Sunni is the social fabric of the region is not so much about religion but of power I believe. As university expert anthropologist Dr. Rothman asserts, every religious movement is one of politico purpose. US supported Shiite (H) in Iraq against Hussein in 1991 and now since 2003’s war the Sunni ripples of complex angst grows. 90% of Iraqi exiles have not returned and 60% are Sunni (U) Arabs.
1957 Shiite leader Sadr born in Qom Iran.
1975 Sadr created the AMAL Islamic “Hope” resistance militia to oppose Palestinian aggression into Lebanon
1978 Aug31 Sadr becomes missing forever; disappearing from a mtg w/ Lybia. He is now considered a martyr.
1979 Iran’s Islamic Revolution
1982 Lebanese Shiite community favored Israeli invasion of Lebanon in stance against PLO arrogance.
Attitudes changed as they realized the Israelis are not leaving and became cannon fodder for Palestinians.
AMAL’s own operations appeared to aid the Israeli Defence Force IDF though not intended and leaders in Iran saw this as assistance and were angered and Hussein Masawii began the Islamic AMAL.
1980s Nabi Berri leader of AMAL tried to get Israeli invasion to leave Lebanon and much of his compromise toward Israel were considered sacrilegious to most Arabs and this Shiite sensibility lean of interests “West” spurred on creation of Hezbollah.
2006 : Al Qaeda bombed Shiite’s Golden Dome
Shiite surged a wave of Iraq revenge attacks against Sunni through 2008
2007
70% exodus of professional class like doctors, scientists , professors, artisans/poets, the brain power of Iraq fled to Jordan, Damascus, Amman, Beirut and other social halos around major arab cities leaving bagdad and when borders locked up, only place to flee to was Syria.
2009 America officially recognized the refugee crisis.
The refugees on hold not to return since even after 2009 redefines Iraq as a nation.
Jordan is primarily Sunni and loves Hussein even after death but is not trodden by Shiite refugees.
IN Damascus you witness Sunni insurgents and Shiite millitias enlists as a means to migrate back home…
the souther edge of Damascus has grown to be known as little bagdad…
The Shrine of Saida Zeinab in Damascus has become a religious pilgrimage for Shiites.
used to be Iraq Shiites dominated but now Iraqi Shiites rival population there.
Iraqi exiles break Syrian government over 1 billion a year now in border fundings.
the norms of traditional culture are unraveling…
lets explore the genie myth
In traditional Shiite tradition leaders steered away from politico until since ayatollah khomeini’s 13 year exile from Iran; very sharp contrast to how Hezbollah or zuama families or AMAL (Sadr’s “hope” militia) lead the Lebanese community.
Shiite religious leader Musa Al-Sadr proclaimed the heretical offshoot Alawite sect a legitimite part of the Shiite muslim religion thereby emboldening the Syria President Hafaz Al-Afsad faith with strengthening politico power w/ Shiites.
Shiite’s most important cities are Qom in Iran and Najaf in Iraq
ref. http://www.religionnews.com/2015/02/18/splainer-islams-sunnishiite-divide/
Sheiite denominations of Islam describe their beliefs