Tuesday, May 08, 2007

DAR AL HARB - U.S.A.: SHIITE-SUNNI COOPERATION AGREEMENTS...COOPERATION IN WHAT?!? JIHAD ON AMERICA?!?

Islamic leaders in U.S. to sign pact to strengthen ties between sects

DETROIT: While sectarian divisions fuel violence in Iraq, Muslims in one of America's largest Arab community are expected to sign an agreement this week to ward off conflicts between the faith's two major sects.

About 20 Sunni and Shiite leaders from the Michigan cities of Detroit, Flint, Ann Arbor and Lansing plan to sign the one-page "Intra-faith Code of Conduct" during a meeting on Thursday in the Detroit suburbs.

The agreement follows one by Muslim leaders in Southern California, who recently signed a similar code. Muslims in Washington, D.C., also plan to sign a version of the agreement.
"It's a covenant of cooperation," Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Tuesday.

"It affirms that each sect is legitimately within the fold of Islam. Each side should not say disparaging things about the other."

With the sectarian tensions in Iraq, Sunnis and Shiites in the U.S. are increasingly wary of a spillover effect.

Detroit-area leaders say it is not a serious problem there, but Shiites recently blamed Sunnis for vandalism at Shiite-affiliated mosques and businesses after the execution of Saddam Hussein, a Sunni who repressed the Shiite majority in Iraq.

Walid said it's important for Detroit-area Muslims to come together, given the area's status as a Muslim center.

"Metro Detroit typifies for many the Muslim sentiment and sensitivities in America," he said.


"We believe that the signing of this code in Detroit can (have) influence internationally in Muslim world."


Pertinent Links:

1) Islamic leaders in U.S. to sign pact to strengthen ties between sects

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