The Evolution of Sectarian Conflicts in Pakistan and the Ever-Changing Face of Islamic Violence

Anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in Iran

“…49 This symbolic act is meant to reflect the extent of Iran's solidarity with the Palestinians and with Muslims in general, thereby attenuating the Shiite -Sunni divide, which has historically been the source of intergroup conflict in the region. 50 Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani,…”

Understanding Pakistan’s Relationship with Iran

“…There is some historical evidence suggesting that the links between Saudi Arabia and Ahl-e-Hadith groups in Pakistan, such as the Jamaat Ulema-e-Ahl-e-Hadith, reach back to the Afghan-Soviet War. 30 In a 2013 study, Murphy documented Saudi sponsorship of anti-Shiite groups in Pakistan in the 1980s. 31 In the present study, participants spoke of this open secret -Saudi Arabia's continued funding of anti-Shiite groups in Pakistan.…”

“…Since 1979, Iran has overtly extended its support for Shiite groups in Pakistan with the desire of gaining cultural and political influence. 51 Iran's attempts to extend its cultural influence in the neighborhood predates the creation of Pakistan. Despite the Shiite connection between the shah and Pakistan's top leadership at its foundation, including Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Iran had not used the sectarian card.…”

“…According to Grare, the Iranian-Saudi rivalry has been a key factor in incidents of sectarian violence in Pakistan. 61 Since the early 1990s, Saudi Arabia and Iran have provided clandestine funding to Pakistan-based Sunni and Shiite extremist groups. 62 According to data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal, Pakistan suffered 2,523 deaths due to sectarian violence during 1989-2001 and 8,253 during 2001-2017.…”

Contemporary Challenges for Education in Conflict Affected Countries

“…However, there is little consensus about the evidence on links between madrassas and recruitment to international terrorism. According to Grare (2007) the growth of madrassas in Pakistan was partly due to the state's failure to provide basic educational facilities since madrassas do not charge fees, but 'they became the main breeding grounds for sectarianism.' The International Crisis Group (ICG) claims that, 'Jihadi extremism is still propagated at radical madrassas in Pakistan', but there is fierce debate about the number of children who actually attend madrassas and the extent to which any of these religious schools are linked to terrorist activities' (Hasan, 2005).…”