Iran’s Sunnis, Saudi’s Shias; a Fair Comparison

[explorer9]

Iran’s Sunnis, Saudi’s Shias; a Fair Comparison

Note: Some national media sources have been publishing articles to compare the situation of both Sunni community of Iran and Shiite community of Saudi Arabia. These elements claim that Sunni community in Iran has more civil rights and liberties than Shiites in Saudi. Dear readers, the following article is a brief comparison of the two communities, the situation is being presented, you can analyze the matter from a different side. We only provide some credible information; final judgment is up to you.
Republic & Kingdom:
“Republic” and “Kingdom” are two well-known types of governing around the world. In republican states, masses elect their rulers, policy makers and chiefs of states; in other words, people, regardless to difference of language, skin color, religion and race independently cost their votes and give approval to leaders, eventually those who get vote of majority have right to hold the government.

"Islamic Republic":
When the title “republic” appears with affix of “Islamic”, it means that the rules of that state are based on Islam. The Islamic laws and jurisprudence urge on taking care of the civil and religious rights of minorities, it prohibits from injustice actions.

On the other hand, “kingdom” system of governing means rule of royal family on a country, they hold key posts and make mostly the interior and foreign policies.

The Islamic Republic of Iran came into existence after a long nation-wide protest and struggle which succeeded to defeat the ex-kingdom regime of Iran, the world saw the victory of a public revolution in February 1979 in Iran. The Iranian nation, Shiites and Sunnis, backed the anti-Shah movement due to its motto “Islamic Republic”.

In short words, key posts are distributed in kingdom system by SELECTION and in democratic and republican regimes by ELECTIONS.

After knowing these details, it looks very amazing to compare “Islamic Republic” of Iran with the “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”. It astonishes more to analyze the situation of Iran’s Sunnis in the light of Saudi’s Shiites.

Jobs distribution in Iran & Saudi:
It must be kept in mind that in the KSA, only high offices and important appointments are under the control of royal family, king Abdul Aziz; while for lower posts nationality is the only required point not sect like Shia and Sunni. As Saudi Shiites have been working in various departments side by side of their Sunni country-fellows. They can get jobs in armed forces and security services without any obstacles; even till recent time, the chief of police in Medina Munawwarah was a Shiite citizen. The Saudi ambassador in the Iranian capital, Tehran and Saudi Consul in Mashhad, the second largest Iranian city, were Saudi Shiites.

Besides, there are five Shia members in “Selective Chamber” or Consultative Council of Saudi Arabia among 150 members.

Unlike Saudi Arabia, Sunni citizens are questioned about their sect and school of thought in each step when they apply for a job. Important offices are ‘Prohibited Tree’ for Sunnis in Iran, rather the rulers have been neglecting Sunni citizens at distribution of low and small posts. While they claim the ruling system is based on ‘democracy’ and ‘republic’.

The Sunni community of Iran is the second largest majority of Iran. The community played an important and active role to bring revolution against the Shah’s regime along with the rest of public. After victory, Sunnis remained favoring the new regime, warm welcome of officials in Sunni-majority areas is an evidence of this continuous support. Despite all of this, since the victory of the Revolution none of Sunnis has been appointed as a minister, vice minister, ambassador or member of any Iranian embassy, vice president or governor of any province even with 90% Sunni population. In armed offices Sunnis are present only as common soldiers and constable not more.

Take the example of Sunni-majority province, Sistan Baluchistan where Sunnis take 5% of key offices out of one hundred high offices. There is no a single Sunni member in the Provincial Security Council. From 170 members of Provincial Internal Council just 13 are Sunnis. As well as, there is no any Sunni member in the Upper Council (Shura Negahban) and other Supreme departments.

“Are you a Shiite or Sunni?” this question is in front of oppressed citizens in most of the official departments even in some hospitals this question is asked from patients.

Problems in religious affairs:
It was the case in distribution of posts; Sunni citizens have been suffering from discriminative official treatment in their religious affairs as well. Ban on the constitutional civil and religious rights, interference in the religious and educational matters of Sunnis, prohibition of building a mosque for more than one million Sunni citizens in Tehran, forbiddance of Sunnis to offer Eid and Jum’ah prayers in mega cities as well as offering five-time prayers in congregation in some other cities are the matters which have made the Sunni community anxious.

On the other hand, Shiite citizens of Saudi Arabia have a grand mosque in Riadh where they establish Friday prayers. In all areas and cities where they live, they have separate worship places. Even Shias have a “Husainiah” (Imam Bargah) in Medina Munawwarah which was inaugurated by ex-president of Iran, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Apart of this, unlike Saudi Shiites, most of the Iranian Sunnis live in border areas and they are so weak and vulnerable economically. Where Saudi Shias are strong in this regard and own big trade companies, they do not face discriminative acts in this field.

If somebody takes out the glass of partiality and prejudice from his eyes, he will judge that Shias of the KINGDOM of Saudi Arabia are in quite better condition than Sunnis of the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC of Iran.

It is better for pro-regime elements to compare the conditions of Iran’s Sunnis to Shia minorities of a democratic/republic state if they are eager to do so. It seems more logical to look at the situations of Shia minorities of Iran’s neighbors, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Shias in Pakistan and Afghanistan:
An eye-reach shows that Shias enjoy an absolute freedom in these two countries; as vice president, some governors and ministers are Shiite in Afghanistan. The president of Pakistan belongs to Shia community, there are some other important public figures belong to Shia community in Pakistan even in Army and intelligence services. Religiously, Shias enjoy full freedom, as there are many Shiite worship places in Kabul and Islamabad and wherever they live from small to big cities.

Finally, the Iranian rulers and their defenders should try to be ideal for other states in dealing with religious and ethnic minorities instead of comparing minorities. They should prove that “Islamic Republic of Iran” believes in justice and equality among different sects and races.

source: SunniOnline.us
The Official Website of the Sunni Community in Iran - Iran

i am expecting fair and unbiased discussion and would appreciate the inputs of respected Iranian members

i am expecting fair and unbiased discussion and would appreciate the inputs of respected Iranian members. thanx a lot

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Sunni/Shiia split is being exploited for political purposes....all Muslims worship same God, read the same Holy Book

these countries should set aside their rivalries and stop trying to covertly inflict harm upon eachother's interests

 

[explorer9]

Sunni/Shiia split is being exploited for political purposes....all Muslims worship same God, read the same Holy Book

these countries should set aside their rivalries and stop trying to covertly inflict harm upon eachother's interests

that is the ideal situation and i respect your sentiments but i would like the fair discussion on this subject to take place on this forum.

 

[King Solomon]

If true and not propaganda, then Iran needs to improve in its treatment of Sunnis. I cannot speak for Iranians as I am not one but hoping for a good discussion with them here.

 

[explorer9]

If true and not propaganda, then Iran needs to improve in its treatment of Sunnis. I cannot speak for Iranians as I am not one but hoping for a good discussion with them here.

ya you are right a good and frank discussion is very much needed on this subject & need your support to keep this thread alive and a constructive one.

 

[Mosamania]

If true and not propaganda, then Iran needs to improve in its treatment of Sunnis. I cannot speak for Iranians as I am not one but hoping for a good discussion with them here.

Yep this is pretty much the truth. At anytime I could have brought the issue of oppressed Sunnis in Iran but I never did that. This isn't the same for Iranians.

In my college one of my friends is Shia but don't give it much thought mostly just tease him about it every once and a while jokingly but that's it. In Iran they are not even allowed to have Sunni mosques. In Saudi Arabia Shia mosques are built with government money even.

But here people tend to look with Iranian glasses and idealize Iran as their lord and saviour.

 

[IbnAlwaled]

The fact is that Shias in S.Arabia are given more freedoms than Sunnis. They are allowed to protest and speak freely about whatever they want, Sunnis on the other hand if they even contemplate protesting they will be prisoned for ever. The reason for that is the government wants to create an atmosphere of instability in the country and make people think the Shias are the cause of it and we need to hold on the states quo in order to maintain security. This tactic is eventually going to blow back on the government. Not to mention the government crack down on Saudi Sunni imams while Shai imams are untouchables. So, its Sunnis who are persecuted everywhere, Iran, Iraq, Syria Saudi Arabia and every where else.

 

[Mosamania]

The fact is that Shias in S.Arabia are given more freedoms than Sunnis. They are allowed to protest and speak freely about whatever they want, Sunnis on the other hand if they even contemplate protesting they will be prisoned for ever. The reason for that is the government wants to create an atmosphere of instability in the country and make people think the Shias are the cause of it and we need to hold on the states quo in order to maintain security. This tactic is eventually going to blow back on the government. Not to mention the government crack down on Saudi Sunni imams while Shai imams are untouchables. So, its Sunnis who are persecuted everywhere, Iran, Iraq, Syria Saudi Arabia and every where else.

I pretty much support the imprisoning of those imams. They are extremists with extremists thoughts and backward thinking. Those "Imams" should never see the light of day in my opinion.

 

[lem34]

Sunni/Shiia split is being exploited for political purposes....all Muslims worship same God, read the same Holy Book

these countries should set aside their rivalries and stop trying to covertly inflict harm upon eachother's interests

I would ask all Muslims to pay heed to what Abu said here. Note the OP was put here by an Indian. We must get past this and look at each other as Muslims and forbid this partisanship that is encouraged by enemies of all Muslim. There is much that binds us together and differences are relatively small

 

[Mosamania]

I would ask all Muslims to pay heed to what Abu said here. Note the OP was put here by an Indian. We must get past this and look at each other as Muslims and forbid this partisanship that is encouraged by enemies of all Muslim. There is much that binds us together and differences are relatively small

Sure when an article is exposing Iran suddenly it should not be discussed and the thread is about hate. But if it is lies about KSA it will get 20 pages. Hypocrisy at its best.

 

[lem34]

Sure when an article is exposing Iran suddenly it should not be discussed and the thread is about hate. But if it is lies about KSA it will get 20 pages. Hypocrisy at its best.

Ok Mossa do whatever rocks your boat

 

[King Solomon]

I would ask all Muslims to pay heed to what Abu said here. Note the OP was put here by an Indian. We must get past this and look at each other as Muslims and forbid this partisanship that is encouraged by enemies of all Muslim. There is much that binds us together and differences are relatively small

I've always heard that it is shias who are discriminated in saudi arabia and Iran vouches for muslim equality (what i didn't understand is the friendly relations with KSA during Shia Shah's time) . But this article does present a different viewpoint. Let the iranian members and others come and have discussion about the issue and verify with evidences if what is said in the article about sunni discrimination is true or not. In the end, we would all learn more if a fruitful discussion takes place. (i hope no shia sunni fight will take place here though).

 

[Android]

Whats the basic difference between sunni and shia???

 

[IbnAlwaled]

I pretty much support the imprisoning of those imams. They are extremists with extremists thoughts and backward thinking. Those "Imams" should never see the light of day in my opinion.

I am not talking about ones who support terrorism. In any case, some Shia leaders ask to end the monarchy and threaten to side wit enemies. Has a Sunni Shaike ever said that? Never. In fact Sunnis imams are the ones who are giving legitimacy to the monarchy, a major reason why no protest erupted is because of them, and how does the government repay them? prison.

I would ask all Muslims to pay heed to what Abu said here. Note the OP was put here by an Indian. We must get past this and look at each other as Muslims and forbid this partisanship that is encouraged by enemies of all Muslim. There is much that binds us together and differences are relatively small

You clearly have no knowledge of the subject.

 

[Takaavar]

“Are you a Shiite or Sunni?” this question is in front of oppressed citizens in most of the official departments even in some hospitals this question is asked from patients.

Have we any Sunni Iranian here? I can only say I shocked when I read this BS part

Take the example of Sunni-majority province, Sistan Baluchistan where Sunnis take 5% of key offices out of one hundred high offices. There is no a single Sunni member in the Provincial Security Council. From 170 members of Provincial Internal Council just 13 are Sunnis. As well as, there is no any Sunni member in the Upper Council (Shura Negahban) and other Supreme departments.

Because people of that province, most of them even don't go to school and go to their own Islamist schools of the province instead (Rigi and his US-backed Jundallah who killed many Shia civillians are a good example).

Btw.. I myself live in Golestan Province and lots of people here are Sunni (Turkmens and Kazakhs) and there's no Shia-Sunni problem here.. , no one care about each other's sect (generaly Iranians are peaceful) I remember in school half of my friends and teachers were Turkmens
But Sistano Baluchistan is a bit different, beacause there are some extremists between them (Jundallah) who are being supported from the Big Satan: Jundallah - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shias in Pakistan and Afghanistan:
An eye-reach shows that Shias enjoy an absolute freedom in these two countries; as vice president, some governors and ministers are Shiite in Afghanistan. ...

Have this guy heard anything about Parachinar's Shias??

source: SunniOnline.us