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By Aceng Syamsul Hadie, S.Sos., MM.
The current attitude of Muslims in the Iran–Israeli war should be based on the principles of justice, humanity, and ukhuwah Islamiyah—not by school fanaticism or sectarian sentiments that cause group-to-group conflict and division of Muslims simply because of differences, madhab, and Islamism. and the belief that one's own group is superior and truer than the other.
Here are some important points that can be a foothold:
The majority of scholars, from Ibn Taymiyyah to Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, emphasized that in conflict, Muslims were obliged to side with the wronged, despite different schools. Iran, although Shia, was clearly defending Palestine and opposed to Israeli occupation. It's not about agreeing to all their virtues, it's about defending the oppressed.
Sunni–Shia narratives are often used by external forces to divide Muslims. School differences have been used as an asymmetric tool of war by global hegemony. In fact, in Islamic history, Sunni and Shia have coexisted and learned from each other, as exemplified by older figures such as the relationship between Zaid ibn Ali (Shia Zaidiyah), Abu Hanifah (Sunni) and Imam Ja'far al-Shadiq (Shia) respect each other and fill in several disciplines.
Buya Yahya reminded that this is not the time to debate the faith, but it is the time to unite against colonialism and injustice. Even Saudi clerics such as Sheikh Assim al-Hakeem stated that under these conditions, Muslims should take sides with their fellow oppressed Muslims, despite differing views.
Many international and regional media magnified Sunni–Shia tensions in geopolitical interests. Muslims need to be smart about sorting information and not getting caught up in divisive narratives.
Muslims should be fair, wise, and courageous in putting truth ahead of fanaticism.
Support for Palestinians and rejection of Israeli aggression must go beyond the limits of the school. It is time to unite to build an inclusive and conscientious Islamic solidarity, the presence of Iran's movement towards Zionist Israel is a courageous step that must be supported by all Muslims of the world, as Iran is the only Islamic country to dare war against the hegemony of Israel and America.
*Author,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the DPP ASWIN (International Association of Journalists).
