Quran Provides the Path to Prevent Sectarianism
This is according to Canadian Journalist Eric Walberg who is one of Canada's best-known journalists specializing in the Middle East, Central Asia and Russia.. In an interview with IQNA, he answered questions about regional and global developments and the stances of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Q: The idea of Islamic civilization-making for the Islamic Awakening movements in the region in order to confront Western liberalistic models is among Ayatollah Khamenei’s intellectual innovations. What do you think about the idea?
A: While the uprisings took inspiration from western ideas of freedom and the use of new communications technologies, they have a different underlying dynamic from the 'color revolutions' of Eastern Europe. This is shown in the 5 elections in Egypt after the January 2011 uprising, in which Islamists prevailed, only to be overthrown by the US-backed military.
Q: How do you evaluate resistance against US and European domination and confronting the Zionist regime in the statements and views of Ayatollah Khamenei?
A: Indications are that US-Euro-Israeli plans are not so easily achieved anymore. The plans to invade Syria look like they will be frustrated. The formation of an anti-Israeli front continues. The complicity of Saudi Arabia in the US plans for the Middle East continues to discredit it.
Q: In Ayatollah Khamenei’s view, leadership and structure-making for the regional uprisings is an effective way for forming a resistance and a protection against threats. What are your thoughts on that? What do think are the main reasons behind the failure of some the revolutions in the region?
A: Undoing a century of imperialist occupation and brainwashing is not done overnight. The inability of Egypt's islamists to work more openly and closely with Iran to protect the revolutionary gains is an important reason for their failure. Hopefully Egyptians will not be duped by the efforts to provoke sectarianism. Hopefully, they will be better able to differentiate friend and enemy in the future. Again, the role of Saudi Arabia in undermining the Islamists in Egypt is now clear to all.
Q: In the Supreme Leader’s opinion, spread of divisions among revolutionaries and foreign infiltration are among the main causes that do serious harm to regional revolutions. How can they be avoided, especially considering what we are witnessing in Egypt?
A: The Muslim Brotherhood is not sectarian. The churches which were burned were burned by thugs probably in league with the military to discredit the Islamists. Non- sectarianism must be at the top of the agenda, though provocations by the old guard try to encourage sectarianism, especially by people like the Christian billionaire Sawiris and by secularists.
Q: The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution considers understanding among Islamic schools of thought as the key to salvation. What strategies could be adopted now to douse the flames of sectarian conflicts spread in the region by Takfiris?
A: The Quran provides the path to prevent sectarianism. Patience in the face of provocation is vital. The economic bankruptcy of the neocolonial regimes means that the work of Islamists based on Sharia is more important than ever.
