I read with interest the article “Divide-and-rule mindset” (March 22) by Ramzy Baroud. It seems that the reports that had been earlier rejected, as mere conspiracy theories were accurate. It is correct that the powers that be want to change the map of the Middle East and redraw it along sectarian and ethnic lines. The post-WWII butchery of the global powers is responsible for all the unrest in the Middle East. Despite the passage of over a century, the region was still reeling from the negative impact of the Sykes-Picot Agreement and now we are reading about the division of Syria and Iraq.
It is really disturbing to note that the region has to pay a hefty price for the military misadventure of a foreign force. The proposals to divide Syria and Iraq along sectarian and ethnic lines respectively should serve as a wake-up call to Muslims who appear to be in a deep slumber. They don’t realize that to others they are just Muslims — not Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds, Arabs or Persians. The outsiders don’t differentiate between us. They just exploit our mutual differences to their advantage.
Sadly, we don’t understand these tactics and fall prey to the mindset of divide and rule. The division of Syria and Iraq will set a very wrong precedence in the region, as pointed out by the writer. It would kickoff a trend of resolving conflicts by resorting to the division of the troubled areas.
The Muslim world should work together to prevent the division of Syria, Iraq and the creation of an autonomous Kurdish region. Kurds should be ensured of equal rights and fair treatment to pull them back into the Muslim mainstream. In addition to that a concerted campaign should be launched to create awareness about the importance of unity.
Khalid Saifullah
It is really disturbing to note that the region has to pay a hefty price for the military misadventure of a foreign force. The proposals to divide Syria and Iraq along sectarian and ethnic lines respectively should serve as a wake-up call to Muslims who appear to be in a deep slumber. They don’t realize that to others they are just Muslims — not Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds, Arabs or Persians. The outsiders don’t differentiate between us. They just exploit our mutual differences to their advantage.
Sadly, we don’t understand these tactics and fall prey to the mindset of divide and rule. The division of Syria and Iraq will set a very wrong precedence in the region, as pointed out by the writer. It would kickoff a trend of resolving conflicts by resorting to the division of the troubled areas.
The Muslim world should work together to prevent the division of Syria, Iraq and the creation of an autonomous Kurdish region. Kurds should be ensured of equal rights and fair treatment to pull them back into the Muslim mainstream. In addition to that a concerted campaign should be launched to create awareness about the importance of unity.
Khalid Saifullah
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