Scottish Muslims and Sectarianism

Sectarianism has definitely manifested itself in the history of Islam, with the very first schism emerging shortly after the death of Muhammad. Differences have continued to exist, and in countries such as Pakistan anti-Ahmadi and anti-Shia violence still occurs. Sectarianism can also be observed in places like Iraq where violence between the Shia majority and Sunni minority is a reality.

In Scotland, the Muslim community reflects the pattern across the UK, with the Sunnis being the overwhelming majority. There are also sizable Shia and Ahmadiyyah communities living in Scotland. The question that arises is to what extent these differences reveal themselves as a lived experience for Muslims, particularly amongst young people (i.e., the generation of Muslims born and brought up in Scotland).

It is important to understand what Scottish Muslims perceive sectarianism to be. The scoping exercise conducted prior to writing this section provides some ideas for consideration. It is particularly pertinent to consider the views of the younger Muslims in Scotland who may not have an understanding of world politics, or indeed, who may not be aware of differences that exist in their parents or grandparents' home countries.

All participants were asked what they understood the term 'sectarianism' to mean. All participants from the first generation migrant background understood sectarianism in the context of Islam:

In our communities there are differences, they exist no doubt. These differences are called sectarianism. [Male, 68]

I don't like this term, it means that we are divided in Islam. You know the Sunni and Shia issue it's been in our community for a long time. [Female, 63]

Most of the other participants related the term sectarianism to bigotry between Catholics and Protestants; especially the violence related to football, i.e. Rangers and Celtic. The football-centric view was particularly dominant amongst participants in Glasgow, whilst others related it to sectarianism in general as well to sectarianism in Ireland.

I think it is the stuff that goes on between Catholics and Protestants… [Male, 13]

I would imagine that sectarianism is meaning the divide between Catholics and Protestants right. I mean it's a big problem for the Scottish people. [Female, 37]

Probably the whole Rangers and Celtic thing… they hate each other. You can pure see the rubbish that happens at games, it's become like a religion for them [referring to white Scottish people]… [Male, 16]

I'm not exactly sure, but I think it means when the Catholic and Protestant people fight… like in Ireland. [Female, 28]

I understand it to be the division in the Scottish community, between Catholic and Protestants. [Male, 26]

When someone mentions this term, I automatically relate it to football and Celtic vs. Rangers. [Male, 23]

However, some of the participants did not know what sectarianism meant, and needed an explanation:

Sorry but I really don't know what that is… [Male, 14]

Well I actually don't know what that means to be honest. [Female, 19]

I would say it's something to do with religion but I honestly don't know. [Female, 21]

Others, drawing from their knowledge of Catholic and Protestant issues, made the connection to the divisions within Muslim communities

…tensions within the Muslim community like the Protestant and Catholics, we have Shias and Sunnis. [Male, 23]

I'm not entirely sure, but I'll have a stab in the dark… maybe it's the Shia and Sunni thing? Or it probably is to do with the different schools of thought… especially the recent events in London and the different interpretations of the Qur'an, like people who condone the bombings and people who don't. [Female, 20]

Muslims who were born in and around Glasgow, or who have lived in Scotland for a long time, understand sectarianism. Some within the Scottish Muslim communities do not understand sectarianism in the context of inter-religious bigotry within Islam. While this may be true, just like sectarianism within the Christian faith, lack of acknowledgement of sectarianism could be caused by lack of information and/or denial. However, those participants (particularly first generation Muslims) who have had experience of sectarianism in their home countries were able to recognise and discuss sectarianism within Islam.

Some participants acknowledged that there are differences within Muslim communities, but felt these differences did not necessarily lead to any animosity or divergence.

The Shia-Sunni thing, aye I know we are different, but it doesn't really bother me to be honest. [Male, 16]

Definitely there are differences, it's like that in all religions… [Female, 17]

Yes, Sunni and Shias, the Qadianis, of course there are differences. [Female, 42]

However, when asked if sectarianism is a lived experience in Scotland, the majority of the participants responded in the negative that in their opinion sectarianism did not affect their day-to-day life in Scotland.

It's hard to say if it exists amongst Muslims…the bulk are lip service Muslims. Some are extreme and others balanced. I think probably it's not really a big problem in Scotland. [Male, 23]

I do have friends that are Shia, but it has never been like, oh your Sunni and I'm Shia, we're just Muslims. We don't let it bother us, if you're Muslim, then you're Muslim and that's it. [Male, 16]

I think it does, because we have the Sunni and the Shia, it shouldn't be that way. [Male, 15]

No, you don't see it a lot, it's really only the whole Catholic and Protestant thing, like rangers and Celtic and massive teams, and well the Sunni and Shia divide is not really a big deal. [Female, 18]

The way the media reports the Sunni and Shia conflicts abroad has had an effect on the way the differences are portrayed, because I don't think it is really a big issue for Muslims in Scotland. [Female 38]

There is a degree of differences amongst Muslims, but there is not that much inter-religious intolerance. [Female, 26]

I wouldn't say that it's a big issue for us, I pray in any masjid, it's not like how it affects the goras [white people] here. [Male, 17]

I don't know any Shia Muslims, it's something I see everyday, but Catholics and Protestants are on a big scale. [Female, 19]

However, some participants commented on the realities of sectarianism within Islam, for example, where differences in the Sunni community were a reality in masjids, and how the differences between masjids begin to affect Muslim communities. This was echoed predominantly by participants from Glasgow and Edinburgh. It was felt that this was related more to the rivalry between masjids and, potentially, the Imams.

It's sad to say, but I think that masjids are very sectarian, you know which Imam you follow, and pray behind and all that – it's terrible but I know people won't go to certain masjids because they are 'wahabbi', and vice-versa… [Male, 45]

It's all a bit of an old man's game, I don't believe that sectarianism exists here the way in which it exists in Pakistan, things are different here… masjids mainly have this problem, but I don't believe it's that serious. [Male, 65]

It definitely exists in masjids, but it doesn't affect my day-to-day-life. [Female, 32]

There are some minor differences in the interpretation of some aspects of Islam, but these are minor issues… [Female, 38]

Labelling someone as a 'wahabbi' is seen as a bad thing, it's like discrediting someone. I know that in my local masjid they removed an Imam because he was too 'wahabbi'… [Male, 23]

You know about masjid's that think a certain way, they [referring to her family] just go to the one with who they agree. [Female, 43]

Participants from Dundee and Aberdeen did not feel that sectarianism was a major problem due to the limited number of masjids in their area.

I don't feel it's a massive problem in Aberdeen, we only have one main masjid… we are lucky to have a multi-cultural community, everyone accommodates each other best they can. There are some Shia, but they use the same facilities as us… I would say it's a bigger problem in like Glasgow or Manchester. [Female, 20]

There's not that many masjid politics in Dundee apart from differences in prayer timings… there is never any physical manifestations of differences. [Female, 27]

Masjid politics is not bad I don't think, but I did hear once that an Imam was speaking against the Shia community, but that's a secondary source so I am not entirely sure. There are only like three or four Shia families here, they are not that huge. [Male, 23]

Younger participants, however, indicated that while they acknowledged sectarianism was a problem in masjids, they believed it was an issue that did not entirely affect them; they felt the type of sectarianism that was more likely to affect them related to the football team they supported.

In school when we go for jumma [Friday prayers], we go to the closest masjid, we don't think about differences, all I have to do is pray, I'll pray in any masjid. [Male, 16]

I've been shouted at and stuff because I support Celtic, do you know what I mean? Masjid politics is like for old uncle jee's [term used in Urdu for respect], doesn't really affect me. [Male, 15]

Some participants highlighted that they were aware of broader differences, which go beyond masjids.

…differences in nationalities, racism within the Muslim community- even generational differences can be an issue… status, differences in schools of thought. There's loads of things that exist. [Female, 27]

I think differences are also because of the difference between the older and younger generation. Our generation are different, differences don't matter as much. [Male, 23]

It was highlighted that nationalistic differences and class divisions have more of an impact in the community than sectarianism. The national tensions amongst Indians and Pakistanis, or Arabs and so on, have more of a role in creating divisions and tensions.

At the same a certain attitude or negative disposition toward Shias and Ahmadiyyah community also emerged from the discussions.

There's no infighting… I don't really talk to them [referring to Ahmadiyyah community] and I don't agree with their philosophy. Even if I do speak to them I would use reason and logic… I don't hate them, I just choose to ignore them. [Male, 23]

I don't have an issue with Shias, I know we have differences but I don't have issues with that. [Female, 18]

Apart from the Sunni and Shia divide I don't think there are that many differences, it all pretty OK. [Female, 14]

I wouldn't like it if they [referring to the Shia community] imposed their views on me, and anyway they are too few in numbers to really matter…it's worse in places like Iraq. [Male, 26]

We can't accept Qadanis because they go against Islam… but we have to break down barriers with better education and communication. [Female, 27]

Of course there are tensions and differences in opinion, but as long a we are civil to each other it's not a problem. [Female, 21]

Some of the participants, however, felt that sectarian differences might have an impact on aspects of socialisation. For example, it was believed that they affect the choice in marriage partner:

I do think it is important when it comes to marriage, it doesn't work when you marry someone who has a different aqeedah [creed]. [Female, 42]

I've seen it with my own eyes, someone I know, her marriage broke down because her husband was Shia and she was Sunni… [Female, 48]

Yes it does… rishtay [wedding proposals] and weddings and stuff… I got a rishta and we rejected because the person was basically Shia, and we are Sunni. [Female, 21]

Responses show that people are more inclined toward socialising with like-minded people. It would appear that the majority of the participants would not allow sect differences to affect friendship patterns.

I wouldn't not make friends with someone because she was Shia for example… [Female, 28]

Differences don't stop me from meeting with people, but sometimes some things make it difficult, like some practices – you know some people do khatams and urs [gatherings where Qur'anic readings take place] and stuff I don't believe in all that so I wouldn't go if someone invited me. [Female, 35]

I have Shia friends, we have debates about stuff – there are differences of course, but we are mates at the end of the day. [Male, 23]

In Dundee I haven't seen many problems, probably because we are such a small minority and the sects like Shias even smaller. Apart from intellectual debates we have good relationships with the Shia community – some of my closest friends are Shia. [Female, 27]

While the majority of participants felt that sectarianism tended to be confined to rivalry and politics between masjids, the existence of sectarianism within Islam cannot be overlooked. However, many indicated that Islamophobia is a lived experience for them. This was seen as a more pertinent issue than sectarianism, which was described as a 'very minor', or 'insignificant' issue. This perhaps reflects the precedence external issues take in communities. One participant mentioned that sectarianism is an issue that only those within the Muslim community were in a position to tackle, as the issues were inter-twined with politics in the communities. Acknowledging this also indicates that perhaps the community is not doing enough to address internal dialogues around sectarianism. On the other hand, Islamophobia is experienced daily and is having an impact on the Muslim community as a whole and it is easier to gather Muslim community support to challenge Islamophobia than it is to address sectarianism.

It's a bigger [referring to Islamophobia] issue in the UK in general… 9/11 and 7/7 has had a big impact and is directly affecting the community. [Male, 23]

Living in this country Muslims face more problems of Islamophobia rather than sectarianism. The political events are creating problems and the indigenous community is affecting the Muslims, whereas sectarianism is within our community, it's not as damaging. [Female, 27]

I know sectarianism may be a problem in some places, I can't say one is more important. One is inside; one is outward to the community. I think both are significant. [Female, 20]

Definitely I would say Islamophobia is more of an issue for us, you only have to walk down the high street and see what reaction we get. [Male, 16]

Muslims have become more aware of the way people react to them, you try you're best to be open and polite, at times it's upsetting. Being a Muslim means you're put to one side, it's not easy getting out of that corner. [Female, 21]

It's not really a lived experience except when it comes to marriage. If the core and fundamental beliefs are the same then there will be no friction…Islamophobia is more of an issue. Minority issues are more pertinent and need to be given attention – these have to be addressed firstly. [Male, 26]

It was felt that this issue needed to be recognised and support provided in dealing with and overcoming Islamophobia.

Emerging themes to note:

1. The majority of Scottish Muslims from the focus groups do not believe that sectarianism, as it is understood in the Catholic and Protestant context, is a lived experience for them in the context of Islam. However, some recognised the realities of sectarianism within Islam.
2. Islamophobia is a lived experience for many participants in the focus groups, which is felt almost on a daily basis in the form of physical and mental abuse, as well as feelings of marginalisation.
3. The majority of participants viewed sectarianism as a reality associated with masjids, though most felt this did not bother them.
4. Sectarianism can have an impact on social issues such as choosing a marriage partner, or attending certain religious events, but not necessarily on friendship patterns.
5. Sectarianism is not understood as 'bigotry'. Rather, class divisions and historical and theological differences seem to be identified as reasons for divisions.
6. There was some acknowledgement that sectarian and anti-sectarian issues are perhaps not being given enough attention within the Muslim community, particularly as Islamophobia has taken precedence.