Editorial: A Sacred Step Forward

There are increasing calls from political leaders, clerics and citizens for a recognition that there is no difference between Sunnis and Shias, they are brothers, and they share the same fate. This is a historical reality. But tensions and sectarian violence at times contradict this truth. If the sense of brotherhood and common destiny could be put into practice, the result would be peaceful coexistence and cooperation in getting out of the crisis. The recent oath to end violence and the presence of armed men that was taken by people in the Baghdad neighbourhoods of al-Fazl, Sheikh Omar, Bab al-Muazam and al-Sinak, with representatives of the interior ministry and the al-Sadr movement in attendance, was a sacred step that should be replicated in all parts of the country that are suffering from tensions. We share the same religion and the same country, and the random killings do not distinguish between Sunnis and Shias. This initiative, carried out under the auspices of the interior ministry, is a very positive one.