Beyond Sunni and Shia: How Colonialism Weaponised Our Differences

Are Sunni‑Shia divisions an eternal religious conflict – or were they historically manageable, even secondary, until colonial and imperial powers weaponised them? And if so, how can we take back our story?
In this open, respectful, and intellectually driven evening, we will neither defend one sect nor attack another. Instead, we will ask:

• What actually divides Sunni and Shia theology – and what do most Muslims share?
• How did some pre‑modern Muslim societies coexist across sectarian lines, and even with Christians and Jews, for centuries?
• How did orientalists, colonial officers, and modern imperial powers systematically exploit these differences to weaken Muslim societies?
• Is the traditional clergy capable of transcending sectarianism, or do structural incentives keep them locked in rivalry?
• In the current context of Iran, Lebanon and beyond – are we witnessing a renewed imperial strategy of sectarian fuelling?
• And finally: Young Muslims in the West – far from the battlefields of West Asia – are arguably the best‑positioned community to rebuild an atmosphere of active mutual respect. How do we move from passive tolerance to genuine, courageous coexistence?

This is not a theological debate. You do not need to be a scholar of Islam. You only need an open mind and a willingness to understand religion in its sociological and political context – because no faith lives outside history.
All Muslims (and non‑Muslims interested in these dynamics) are welcome, regardless of background, sect, or level of practice. We will speak honestly, listen generously, and leave with practical ideas for how our generation can disarm sectarianism.