We have to understand generally that Iranians are Shia and Arabs are Sunni. And as was discussed in earlier post, most of the Indians have their origins in Central Asian region which also comprises of Iran.
As per history books, Indian subcontinent was invaded by these 'Aryans' who imposed a set of 'caste system' in the Indian society. The caste system was rigid and people could not change from one caste to another as they were bound there from birth. Most of the original Iranians or Aryans then went on to become the 'Brahmins' or the 'Kshatriyas' who were the top class and people who did not share the racial features of these 'invaders' became 'Vysyas' or Shudras'. These Brahmins were the ones who devised and imposed their set of religion on the masses and same structure is also visible even today.
Now if we look at the Middle East what was the situation. Before the First World War, there was the Ottoman Empire and it ruled over vast stretches of land in Middle East and North Africa.
Iran was a country with its own long history and culture and very less Ottoman influence. Then there was discovery of oil in the region and the policy of 'divide and rule' suited the imperialists led by Britain and France and later US. Britain used 'foot soldiers from Indian subcontinent' to a great extent in fighting the wars in the Middle East.
After Second World War, emerged a few countries of 'Arab origin' and then there was Iran with its own 5000 year old history. Also, a new country of Israel came into being with its own 5000 year old history. Now, what I personally feel that Israel and Iran have a connection. Like a secret connection.
Let us not ignore the facts that Iranians/Persians and Arabs are totally against each other. Saddam Hussein of Iraq exploited these Arab sentiments and waged an 8 year old war with its neighbor in which millions perished. Israel and Arabs are also against each other. Arabs have been brutally defeated by a tiny state like Israel and it is the ultimate humiliation for them. Arabs can do little to harm Israel. Now Iran also defeated Iraq which was an Arab state during Saddam Hussein. Though it defeated Iraq at a great price for itself.
Thus Israel and Iran both have a mistrust and antagonism towards Arabs in general. And hence, what is visible in public is 'actually an eyewash'. Israel and Iran are closer than you think. Why? Now we can analyse the situation as to why this is the case.
Shia is someone who is 'born into his life'. Thus one cannot become a Shia; one has to be born a Shia. But Sunnis are those people who can be 'assimilated as Sunnis'. Thus if any person becomes a Sunni by conversion, then he is entitled to all the rewards of Sunnis. Now let us face it, the state of Israel or the Jews are not looking to convert all the people (non-Jews) into Jews. They only want safety and security of the State of Israel and its citizens. They do not want like say 100 million people to convert into Judaism. They want safety for whatever people that are already there as Jews by birth or descent or immigration.
Similarly is the case with Iran. Iran does not want let us say 100 million more Shias in its fold. But Sunni state like Saudi Arabia or predominantly Sunni states like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia etc would want additional 100 million people to come into its fold. That is a general observation of mine.
Thus difference between Shia and Sunni is one of the fundamental difference and the most important difference in this world. We can analyse it for several days together and still more points would come up. I will write in next post a additional points I will recollect.
As per history books, Indian subcontinent was invaded by these 'Aryans' who imposed a set of 'caste system' in the Indian society. The caste system was rigid and people could not change from one caste to another as they were bound there from birth. Most of the original Iranians or Aryans then went on to become the 'Brahmins' or the 'Kshatriyas' who were the top class and people who did not share the racial features of these 'invaders' became 'Vysyas' or Shudras'. These Brahmins were the ones who devised and imposed their set of religion on the masses and same structure is also visible even today.
Now if we look at the Middle East what was the situation. Before the First World War, there was the Ottoman Empire and it ruled over vast stretches of land in Middle East and North Africa.
Iran was a country with its own long history and culture and very less Ottoman influence. Then there was discovery of oil in the region and the policy of 'divide and rule' suited the imperialists led by Britain and France and later US. Britain used 'foot soldiers from Indian subcontinent' to a great extent in fighting the wars in the Middle East.
After Second World War, emerged a few countries of 'Arab origin' and then there was Iran with its own 5000 year old history. Also, a new country of Israel came into being with its own 5000 year old history. Now, what I personally feel that Israel and Iran have a connection. Like a secret connection.
Let us not ignore the facts that Iranians/Persians and Arabs are totally against each other. Saddam Hussein of Iraq exploited these Arab sentiments and waged an 8 year old war with its neighbor in which millions perished. Israel and Arabs are also against each other. Arabs have been brutally defeated by a tiny state like Israel and it is the ultimate humiliation for them. Arabs can do little to harm Israel. Now Iran also defeated Iraq which was an Arab state during Saddam Hussein. Though it defeated Iraq at a great price for itself.
Thus Israel and Iran both have a mistrust and antagonism towards Arabs in general. And hence, what is visible in public is 'actually an eyewash'. Israel and Iran are closer than you think. Why? Now we can analyse the situation as to why this is the case.
Shia is someone who is 'born into his life'. Thus one cannot become a Shia; one has to be born a Shia. But Sunnis are those people who can be 'assimilated as Sunnis'. Thus if any person becomes a Sunni by conversion, then he is entitled to all the rewards of Sunnis. Now let us face it, the state of Israel or the Jews are not looking to convert all the people (non-Jews) into Jews. They only want safety and security of the State of Israel and its citizens. They do not want like say 100 million people to convert into Judaism. They want safety for whatever people that are already there as Jews by birth or descent or immigration.
Similarly is the case with Iran. Iran does not want let us say 100 million more Shias in its fold. But Sunni state like Saudi Arabia or predominantly Sunni states like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia etc would want additional 100 million people to come into its fold. That is a general observation of mine.
Thus difference between Shia and Sunni is one of the fundamental difference and the most important difference in this world. We can analyse it for several days together and still more points would come up. I will write in next post a additional points I will recollect.
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