Iran-Pakistan fallout over Bahrain

[clmeta]

Both Saudi Arabia and Iran have interfered in Bahrain. Iran covertly and KSA overtly. I don't think Pakistan wants bad relations with Iran but on this occasion it could not upset its Arab allies. Not sure what stand India has taken. Its better to stay neutral and let people decide among themselves. IF there is too much of chaos US will step in at some stage and we might have another Iraq.

 

[Developereo]

Is there any evidence that Iran is supporting the protesters materially? We know that the dictator's friends from Saudi Arabia sent soldiers to crush the protesters.

What kind of government needs to import foreigners to protect itself from its own people?

This is not about Shia or Sunni. It's about the people's right to a representative democracy. In Bahrain and in Syria.

 

[Aslan]

Is there any evidence that Iran is supporting the protesters materially? We know that the dictator's friends from Saudi Arabia sent soldiers to crush the protesters.

What kind of government needs to import foreigners to protect itself from its own people?

This is not about Shia or Sunni. It's about the people's right to a representative democracy. In Bahrain and in Syria.

There is a pact amongst the regional GCC governments that allows them to send soldiers to other GCC countries if requested by the GOV.

Heck there is even cooperation at a basic level of Police working in other GCC countries. Every third or further month there is a traffic week where we have cops from other GCC countries patrolling the streets of Kuwait and even issuing citations over traffic violations.

 

[Aslan]

Three charged with spying
Posted on » Wednesday, April 13, 2011

MANAMA: A Bahraini and two Iranians are standing trial for allegedly spying for Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

They are accused of selling military, industrial and economic information to Iran between 2002 and April of last year.

Prosecutors discovered an unspecified amount of money during their investigations, the Bahrain News Agency said yesterday.

It stated they were next due in court on April 20, but did not provide any further details.

GCC countries have accused Tehran of interfering in their internal affairs, with Bahrain accusing Iran of being involved in anti-government protests that started in February.

Gulf Daily News » Local News » Three charged with spying

Even I wouldnt take the news as a final authority as it is being published in a Bahraini Paper, but yet Kuwait had kicked out 2 Iranian diplomats a week or so ago under the suspicion of spying.

 

[Developereo]

Can anybody explain why their is a tussle between Shia and Sunni,do they have any difference in their belief's,and on what basis Shia differ from Suni,thanks in advance.

Fundamentally, it's about the succession dispute after the Prophet (pbuh) passed away. Sunnis consider Umar, Usman and Abu Bakar to be the rightful successors. Shia's don't recognize any of them and go with the Prophet's son-in-law, Ali, instead. Sunnis also recognize Ali, but only as a subsequent successor after the other three.

You will never see a Shia named Umar, Usman or Abu Bakar. Also, Ali (and his martyred son Hussain) are central in Shia culture, although they are revered by Sunnis also.

Most ordinary Shias and Sunnis are not militant about the differences. It's used more by Iran and the oil-rich Arabs as a political weapon.

 

[Gold1010]

I think its very much about Shia-Sunni the protest is mostly about shia right not a freedom for all protest , plus pakistanis and other sunni foreigners are being attacked

 

[Developereo]

I think its very much about Shia-Sunni the protest is known as a shia rights protest not a democracy for all protest , plus pakistanis and other sunno foreigners are being attacked

There is an element of Shia unrest, as in 70% of the country is Shia but the Sunni dictators favor a pro-Sunni immigration policy, but the protesters, which include both Shia and Sunni Bahrainis, insist their cause is about democracy, with immigration being an important issue.

I agree there is an ugly element of racism and anti-immigrant feeling in the protests. Apparently, this resentment has been brewing for decades while the dictators ignored the issues.

It would have been better if the protesters had included the naturalized immigrants also and made it a straight pro-democracy campaign. Perhaps the immigrants don't want to rock the boat.

 

[dabong1]

I dont recall khomeini being voted into power......a bit like the arab sheikhs.

 

[RazorMC]

It would have been better if the protesters had included the naturalized immigrants also and made it a straight pro-democracy campaign. Perhaps the immigrants don't want to rock the boat.

Part of the reason for the increase in anti-government sentiment was the naturalization itself. Many people did not approve of a foreign workforce and the government was issuing the Bahraini nationality to so many people.
I don't think there was any reason for the protesters to include the new nationals just like the newly naturalized Bahrainis did not have any beef with the government.

 

[Machoman]

Pakistan is doing nothing wrong, Just like in your own country when people have problem with each other they call the police. At that time they don't really care who is Shia and who is sunni. So please don't blame Pakistan for this as Pakistan working in this matter as Police.

 

[muse]

the point of it being a struggle for democracy which is backed by Iran talks volumes about what kind of a movement it is at the first place

Iran supporting the struggle for Democracy??? On what planet?? Iran appreciates the problems the demands for democracy causes the khalifa family but make no mistake, Iran do not want to see "democracy" in the Bahrain, the Gulf or the larger Islamic world because if such a thing did happen it would be giant problem for Iranian Mullahs, a problem they would have to accept defeat at the hands of.

 

[Irfan Baloch]

Fundamentally, it's about the succession dispute after the Prophet (pbuh) passed away. Sunnis consider Umar, Usman and Abu Bakar to be the rightful successors. Shia's don't recognize any of them and go with the Prophet's son-in-law, Ali, instead. Sunnis also recognize Ali, but only as a subsequent successor after the other three.

You will never see a Shia named Umar, Usman or Abu Bakar. Also, Ali (and his martyred son Hussain) are central in Shia culture, although they are revered by Sunnis also.

Most ordinary Shias and Sunnis are not militant about the differences. It's used more by Iran and the oil-rich Arabs as a political weapon.

you could have avoided that question, because it can to derail us to the sectarian flame war. Regarding naming, I can say the same thing about some shia names that some Sunnis might not have but lets leave it there but to be fair you are more or less correct, although I know shias with Usman Ali name.


I more or less will agree with your post. I myself have family members from both sect so I have no prejudices and respect them both and am proud and really lucky to see both sides.

To pretty much end this debate here and prevent any possible flaming I would sum up the differences as under.

For a Pakistani. A Sunni is one who came up with the concept of 2 nation theory, another Sunni dreamt of a separate country and then convinced a Shia to lead the struggle and get us Pakistan. That Shia never ever let the sect come between him and rest of the Pakistanis and even willed that his prayers be offered by a Sunni Alim.

Yes I am talking about our founders Shah Waliullah, Alama Iqbal and Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Pakistan Army is the best example of this bond where these brothers fight and defend the country side by side.

Shia & sunni share the beliefs that are required for becoming a Muslim like Oneness of Allah & belief in Muhammad PBUH prophet hood, Holy Quran and Judgement day etc

Shia & Sunni do have differences though and those differences are with these socalled Muslims who have hijacked the religion, in the history they have been called Khawarij or Takfiris ( current versions, Taliban,TTP, Al Qaeda, LeJ) for whom every Shia & Sunni is a non- Muslim and deserves painful death if he doesn’t conform to their Islamic interpretation.

 

[dabong1]

I was always under the impression that the sunni-shia "thing" was to do politics and had nothing to do with "faith".
The same way people accept democracy(islam) but vote for different parties like republicans and democrats(shia sunni).

 

[Majnun]

Both Saudi Arabia and Iran have interfered in Bahrain. Iran covertly and KSA overtly. I don't think Pakistan wants bad relations with Iran but on this occasion it could not upset its Arab allies. Not sure what stand India has taken. Its better to stay neutral and let people decide among themselves. IF there is too much of chaos US will step in at some stage and we might have another Iraq.

When has Saudi Arabia interfered in Bahrain? These nations had a defence pact, so Saudi Arabia is acting in accordance with that pact by sending troops into Bahrain.

 

[Majnun]

Is there any evidence that Iran is supporting the protesters materially? We know that the dictator's friends from Saudi Arabia sent soldiers to crush the protesters.

What kind of government needs to import foreigners to protect itself from its own people?

This is not about Shia or Sunni. It's about the people's right to a representative democracy. In Bahrain and in Syria.

Its part of a defence pact between the Gulf nations. Saudi Arabia is not 'invading' Bahrain, they are merely acting in accordance with a pact between their government and Bahrain's. The people's right to a representative democracy is neither here nor there as far as the topic of Saudi Arabian troops goes. That is not their issue, their issue is that they have been called to honour a pact made with the Bahraini government, and by sending troops to Bahrain, all they are doing is honouring that pact.