Trying to understand the Middle East

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is finally out of Syria. Or is it? A last stand of resistance by the insurgent fighters was confronted recently by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the town of Baghouz, Syria. The town of 10,000 sits on the border of Iraq and Syria, near the banks of the Euphrates River.

Before the push to oust the fighters, a two-week notice was given to allow civilians and others to evacuate the area. After weeks of siege, SDF launched a final attack and hundreds of people and families surrendered, ending the ISIS occupation of Syria.

ISIS perpetuated acts of violence against both soldiers and civilians, providing videos of beheadings and executions. Cultural sites were destroyed, including the burning of 8,000 books in the Mosul public library. This act is analogous to the destruction of the Library of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh by the Mendes, Babylonians and other invaders in 612 BC. The library stored writings of ancient Mesopotamia, and was established by Assyrian King Ashurbanipal, who reigned from 668-621 BC. In the case of both ISIS and the Babylonians, the destruction was to claim territory and control its people.

ISIS, al-Qaeda and the Taliban are rivals in control of Muslim people and their government. They have ideological differences. ISIS wants to have worldwide control of Muslims. The Taliban wants to be the government of Afghanistan and enforce strict Sharia law. Al-Qaeda, on the other hand, is a terrorist organization, and has established terrorist training camps to bring together terrorists from all over the world, train them in tactics and methods, and send them back to their home countries to overthrow non-Muslim governments.

In 2014, ISIS proclaimed itself as a caliphate after capturing large swaths of land in Iraq and Syria. As a worldwide caliphate, it was a concept of a one-world government claiming authority for military, religious, and political governance over Muslims. ISIS follows the doctrine of Sunni Islam.

Before that in 2011, the Syrian government was in conflict with groups that wanted to overthrow it. With demonstrations by these groups held in other Arab countries, this uprising was called the “Arab Spring”. Remember that? With so much going on, who can remember it all.

Here’s where religion comes in. The groups that supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were Shia, the branch of Islam Muslims who believe that the Prophet Mohammad was a messenger from Allah (God). Groups that opposed al-Assad were Sunni. They also believe in Mohammad. It is the largest branch of Islam and was founded after the death of Mohammad in 632. It was an empire controlled by a Caliph, a leader, who gave command to their Generals to bring the Muslim religion to captured lands.

Shias believe successors to Mohammad have to belong to the family of the prophet to become the leader of Muslims. Sunnis believe the successor can be anyone who has a base in the Muslim community and is capable of being their leader. This seems to be the friction between the two groups. Are there any religious scholars who want to weigh in?

History informs us that religious factions dominate the formation of societies. Consider what happened with Great Britain under King George III, who reigned from 1760 until his death in 1820. Before him in 1620, the Puritans left Great Britain to be able to maintain their religion and live without being challenged by others about their restrictive lifestyle. Under his reign, liberty, religious freedom, and taxation without representation were among the reasons for the Colonies to claim independence from Great Britain. The Revolutionary War ensued, and independence was secured from Great Britain, with “liberty and justice for all.”

So, here we are all these years later, still in the throes of religious wars. Ideology of deism seems to be the fulcrum of society. Who’s to say what is right? In the case of the Middle East, wars have dominated history books. Today, we see the same thing, except now it has spread throughout the world. ISIS still has pockets of insurgent activity. The Taliban wants Sharia law to govern their land. Al-Qaeda continues with its terrorist training camps. Is this really about religion, or is it about control of civilization?

Beam me up, Scotty.

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Jack Evensizer is a resident of Dalton Gardens.