Another front on the Sunni-Shiite war

By Olivier Guitta

I just wrote a piece for The Examiner on the aggressive proselytizing going on in the Arab world.
Here is an excerpt:
While the media focuses on the aggressive Iranian expansion in the whole Middle East, another insidious campaign is being orchestrated by Iran to control the region. Proselytizing is the new name of the game.

And since, through this Iranian-sponsored operation, Sunnis have been converting to Shiism in significant numbers, Sunni states are starting to react. That could well open a new front in the Sunni-Shiite war.

Of all Sunni countries, Saudi Arabia is the one feeling the most threatened by this new wave of Shiite proselytizing. “If it’s not to export the revolution like in the time of the Khomeini regime, Shiism exportation, as we see it today is still unacceptable” noted Saudi Social Affairs Minister Abdel Mohsen al Hakas.

Interestingly, Saudi King Abdullah went further in a recent interview with the Kuwaiti daily Al Seyassah when he accused Shiites of trying to convert Sunnis and added that he knew exactly who was behind this campaign, clearly pointing his finger at Tehran.

It is a vital issue for the kingdom, which does not want more potential destabilization since its own Shiite minority already represents 10 percent of the total population and is located in the oil-rich region of the country.

While it looks like ex-Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Prince Bandar is pushing for U.S. military action against Iran, other leaders inside the kingdom are trying to fight off Iran on the religious front. That’s why Rihab Massud, a close advisor to Bandar stated: “Iran will never become the leader of the Islamic world.”

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