Deviant Movements Seek to Sow Division Between Sunni, Shia Muslims
“Sectarianism and creating division between Shia and Sunni are the primary strategies of misguided sects and deviant movements,” said Hojat-ol-Islam Amhad Motahari, Friday prayer leader of Tabriz, on Sunday while inaugurating an event focused on deviant movements in the northwestern Iranian city.
The foundation of sects and movements like Baha'ism has always been to “create division between Shia and Sunni Muslims,” he said, adding, “Today, in their new function, they have turned into tools in the hands of Zionist and global imperialist movements.”
Preventing the formation of such movements should take precedence over confronting them, and this should be pursued with “utmost seriousness,” said the cleric.
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In analyzing the causes of the rise in the number and activities of these sects, it is noted that, in the past, scholars used to prevent the introduction of deviant movements into religious matters, he said, adding, “However, today, due to the reduced number of such scholars and the decline in the activities of seminaries and religious schools, we are witnessing an increase in heresies and the emergence of new sects.”
The most prominent feature of these deviant movements is the concept of "master and disciple," which ultimately leads to sectarianism, he noted. “We must confront these movements, all of which have ties to the intelligence services of imperialist and Western powers.”
“There are no new teachings in religion; the message was completed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” he said, adding that while there may be new interpretations of religion, the emergence of new sects or movements under the guise of religion is nothing but heresy and confusion, and there are other objectives behind these developments.
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