The lecture will analyze the rift between these two streams, analyze the halakhic-cultural differences between them and explain how these differences affect the politics of the countries, the daily lives of these two streams and of course our lives. The lecture is accompanied by a picture of the Shiite diaspora in relation to the Sunnis, and a video of the mourning ceremony of “Imam Hussein” that speaks for itself about the depth of the rift between these two streams to this very day.
Lecture content
History testifies to bloody conflicts between the two main streams of Islam: Shiite and Sunni. These two streams do not miss a single opportunity to slander each other in both the religious and political arenas. This hostility is increasing after the Islamic Revolution, following which Iran sees itself as the leader of the Shiite world with an aspiration for regional hegemony against Saudi Arabia, which sees itself as the leader of the Sunni world, which is threatened by Iran. This conflict also concerns us, since we live in the heart of the Muslim world and we must get to know our neighbors not only politically but also religiously.
Answers to questions such as:
– Who is a Muslim?
– The historical-political background to the split between these two streams
– Comparing the roots of faith between these two streams (principles and branches)
– The different factions in Shia and what they have in common
– Comparing the Shia diaspora in relation to the Sunnah today
– Political Shia today and its influence on our lives
– Vocabulary “…that everything will be done by His word…”