Muhammadu Buhari, a Sunni Muslim and a former military dictator, has surprisingly won the 2015 Presidential elections in Nigeria after three consecutive defeats. Buhari has campaigned on a platform of ‘change’, promising economic stability, to curb corruption and to utilise political strength in tackling the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

The Buhari government, however, has faced international criticism, due to the clash between the army and the minority Shia community in Zaria. Reports of events prior to the clash are unclear, the army asserts that the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Genenral Tukur Buratai, was blockaded near Zaria and the convoy was attacked by a petrol bomb. The Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) deny any attack occurred and demand the release of their leader Ibraheem Zakzaky.

The government forces raided Zakzaky’s home and the whereabouts of his wife and sons are unknown. The IMN have stated that they have been killed in the raid, however, the Nigerian authorities have declared that his wife is in custody. Iran has condemned the attacks and called for the release of the Shiite leader. The movement has also been confronted by Boko Haram.

The problem remains complex: it would be too simplistic to apportion the blame to Shia and Sunni tensions as these continue to be manipulated by political ambitions. This is true for Zakzaky, who is deeply influenced by Iranian clerics, who believe themselves to be the saviours and provide leadership and guidance for Shia Muslims across the world.

Iran is the only Islamic regime to be run by a Shia-led administration. Thus, Iranian clerics continue to support any prominent actor that will aid in increasingly Shiite influence around the globe. Zakzaky’s IMN received financial contributions from Iran. The Islamic movement has had several clashes with government forces, leading to the capture and imprisonment of 120 Shiite followers. However, Zakzaky denies any financial backing from Iranian sources.

Zakzaky has asserted his support for an Islamic revolution much in the style of Iran, while his followers are believed to receive paramilitary training. Iran received a useful ally in Nigeria, albeit not as important as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Iranian vision of entrancing Shia Islam into global mainstream politics remains important. Analysts agree that IMN adds further tensions along ethnic lines. Previous administrations have also attacked the IMN. For instance, in July 2014, stressing they were defending themselves after soldiers were abducted in a ‘peaceful processions’ supporting Palestine. The police suggest that four people were killed but the IMN claims 25 were killed – including two of Zakzaky’s sons.

The clashes are not limited to a Sunni President in power. This questions the source of the Sunni-Shia tensions. In Syria, Lebanon and Yemen are battlefields for the proxy wars of Iran and Saudi Arabia, each attempting to entrench their political dominance within the Middle East. Thus, the tensions in Nigeria to a smaller extent could be a Shia resurgence within Africa, in the political vision of Iran.

The political ramifications of Zakzaky’s power should not be overstated as the main security threat remains Boko Haram. When examining Nigerian affairs, however, in terms of Sunni-Shia violence, more detail must be given to foreign power politics than religious difference alone.

Samiha Sharif holds a Masters of Science in International Politics from SOAS. She Currently volunteering at Tell MAMA. And writes in a personal capacity.

The post What’s behind the Sunni-Shia tensions in Nigeria? appeared first on Religious Reader.

In an odd and provocative tweet, Richard Dawkins shared this image without context:

pic.twitter.com/XlynBMwk9e

— Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) July 13, 2015

A lack of context left some followers confused. Some tweeted, ‘ISIS brides?’ and ‘@RichardDawkins Oh you ‘islamophobe’ Richard! Sharing the plight of Muslim women like this. How dare you! #sarcasm’

@RichardDawkins A powerful and haunting image, but could we have some context?

— Tom Towler (@tjatowler) July 13, 2015

@RichardDawkins Contextualize, please

— Janne Strang (@jannestrang) July 13, 2015

Others provide context:

@RichardDawkins These women are not enslaved; they’re participating in a passion play. See caption in attached image. pic.twitter.com/Gyiwvx53Cv

— George Maschke (@georgemaschke) July 13, 2015

@RichardDawkins This is Shiite Muslim community commemorating Ashura in Lebanon. It’s not about women slavery in Islam.

— Adel (@Alcon_Naphcon) July 13, 2015

The truth behind the tweeted image dates back to 2011. Ali Hashisho took the photos during the Ashura procession in the village of Saksakieh, southern Lebanon. It is important to view Hashisho’s other photos of the event.

What is Ashura?

The day of Ashura holds special significance for Shia Muslims. It falls on the 10th of Muharram (the first month of the Islamic calender).

It commemorates the martyrdom of Hussein in 680AD in Karbala (modern-day Iraq). Hussein (Husayn ibn Ali) was Muhammad’s grandson and the third Shia imam.

Men and women wear black during processions – some chant and slap their chests. A minority emulate Hussein’s suffering through acts of self-flaggellation.

But this bloodletting is not without controversy: some Shia clerics encourage blood donations. In 2009, over a thousand Shia in Afghanistan donated blood. Others did a similar study in Iran.

Hussein’s murder is defining event in historic Shiism. In historic terms, the Shia were a political faction (known as the ‘party of Ali’). They believe Muhammad’s religious and spiritual authority passed onto his son-in-law and cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib (and his children).

The schism between Sunni and Shia deepened after Ali did not succeed as caliph following Muhammad’s death. Ali’s murder in 661AD cemented the divide.

Pilgrimage to Hussein’s tomb in Karbala is second in importance only to performing hajj.

But it is unfair to blame Dawkins alone. The image resurfaced in 2014 in a Christian Post article relating to ISIS’s horrific sex slavery trade.

The caption for the image reads, ‘These Christian women were chained and forced to wear veils by ISIS militants in Iraq’. The source of the image? Twitter.

Without context it damages the serious issues of sexual abuse and violence that impact women in the region. Appealing to echo chambers and confirmation biases undermines healthy debate.

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