The New Sectarianism: The Arab Uprisings and the Rebirth of the Shi'a-Sunni Divide

265 Pages·2016·11.381 MB·English

by  Geneive Abdo

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th e new se cta rianism
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t h e n e w
s e c t a r i a n i s m
the arab uprisings and the rebirth of
the shi’a–s unni divide
gen eive  abd o
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Library of Congress Cataloging-i n- Publication Data
Names: Abdo, Geneive, 1960-, author.
Title: The new sectarianism : the Arab uprisings and the rebirth
of the Shi’a-Sunni divide / Geneive Abdo.
Description: New York : Oxford University Press, 2016. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016023454 | ISBN 9780190233143 (hardback) |
ISBN 9780190233167 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Sunnites—Relations—Shı̄‘ah. | Shı̄‘ah—Relations—Sunnites. |
Arab Spring, 2010- | BISAC: RELIGION / Islam / General. | RELIGION / Islam / Sunni.
Classification: LCC BP194.16 .A24 2016 | DDC 297.8/042—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016023454
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Printed by Sheridan Books, Inc., United States of America
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For my mother, Rosemary Rizk Abdo
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contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction: Of History and Memory 1
Chapter 1 Mullahs and the Militias 17
Chapter 2 The Sunni Salafists 45
Chapter 3 The Salafi Politicos 64
Chapter 4 Lebanon: Sectarianism and
the Modern State 91
Chapter 5 Bahrain and the Shi’a Question 116
Chapter 6 Sectarian Conflict on the Regional Stage 144
Appendix A. Salafist Tweets and Major Events in
the Middle East 151
Appendix B. The Sectarian Messaging 167
Notes 207
Selected Bibliography 225
Index 239
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acknowledgments
Many people in the United States and the Middle East contributed to
this book. Throughout the research and writing, my life- long friend
Jonathan Lyons, author and scholar, generously offered his feedback
and knowledge. In my 25 years of writing books and other publica-
tions, his talent still goes unmatched.
Researchers stretching from Bahrain to Lebanon, and Iraq offered
their enormous insights and skills, and are examples of the young gen-
eration in the Arab world that is the best (and maybe only) hope for
the region in the near future. In the Middle East, Zeina Najjar, Lulwa
Rizkallah, Nadine Ali, and Suzan Haidamous provided very useful
contacts and knowledge. Lamia Estatie in Lebanon and now in the
United Kingdom spent months researching related papers and doing
social media research for this book. In Washington, DC, Yasir Zaidan
was extremely kind and generous with his time and often worked on
a moment’s notice. His knowledge and very positive work ethic helped
me through many deadlines.
Also in Washington, DC, Ellen Laipson, former president of the
Stimson Center and now distinguished fellow, offered support for my
work and ideas during the early years when most scholars and regional
experts did not agree that sectarianism would play a significant role in
Arab societies. Ellen gave me confidence and courage in a town that
rarely thinks outside the box. Stephen Grand at the Atlantic Council
has also been a great support. At the Brookings Institution, where
some of the material contained in these pages was the subject of two
monographs, I am grateful for the support of Tamara Cofman Wittes,