Conflicts are eternal. Time is not a factor in that.
That's what I've been saying to your holidaying friend for many years now.
The battle of the 7th century was only the first salvo.
The war is not yet done.
The Persians split up. Double teamed.
One preserved the faith.
The other coopted the faith. And split it.
These two streams are headed on a converging course in the era of the internet and world travel.
Old lies are getting exposed.
And things are building to a head.
This is a people thing. Not a nation or a political thing.
Look at the Kurds. No nation. Still they fight.
Cheers, Doc