- Ignorance can only be fought with knowledge and sound reasoning

- People are afraid to think because they fear an idea that would compel them to accept a position that conflicts with their long-held beliefs and, therefore, force them to question their belief system

- People are afraid to question their belief system because they think that they must have certainty, and questioning is the practical equivalent to doubt

- Those who think that God will punish them for thinking need to re-visit their understanding of God and their religion

- Those with a tribal attitude need to realise that tribalism has nothing to do with Islam, and they must realise what role tribalism plays in *resisting* Islam from people with tribalistic affiliations to other religions

- The media *does* play a role in re-enforcing sectarian divides, but the ideas that support a sectarian attitude towards religion exist among the sects. Therefore, while the media is partially to blame, the scholars and activists within the sects are playing a greater role. A visit to a sample of mosques will prove this

I believe that sectarianism is very irrational, and when people can come to accept an alternative understanding to religion and the role it plays in people’s lives, they will realise how silly sectarianism is.

Although I’m pointing to a political problem in this post, the solution has to come from society, because the policies the government are acting on have the backing of a sizable portion of society.

in kuwait, ever since I can remember there was always us and them ,it is been going around for years ,and the real attemps to fix this problem have been minor ,
to me this country is running on the laws of the jungle,
this country is running on luck more than actual plans !
in my opinion it is still very tribal
but that is just me venting ,,
I noticed that the media plays a role in exaggerating the gap between shia and sunnis in different parts of the world while reality and how poeple in those places actually live their lives is so different,
for example , certain cities in Iraq are mentioned as sunni states while in reality poeple living there are form manny different sects !

anyway one can see clearly how the issue of sectarianism is really deeply implemented in kuwait in every election time !

wassalam

I don’t think resolving sectarian conflicts is beyond our reach, or should be abandoned because not everyone has the willingness to deal with the issue in a rational way.

I believe that many, many people can change their understanding and attitude towards sectarianism by having a new approach presented to them.

My intention isn’t to change the whole of society, and I certainly don’t agree with anyone who seeks to mould the whole of society according to his or her opinions. I can only express the ideas that I believe are beneficial, and it’s up to the readers to live by them or not.

As long as we can change our own attitudes, and encourage a small circle of people around us to change their attitudes, and for them to affect a small circle around them, we can develop a social trend that affects a large portion of the population.