What is Sectarian Politics?

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In Middle East politics, religious sects have played a key role in shaping the internal and foreign policies of regional actors, during the Arab Spring in particular. It is generally accepted that the Middle Eastern countries, primarily Iran and Saudi Arabia, have developed sectarian reflexes toward the developments in the region and engage in so-called sectarian policies.

The perceptions held by various sects of Muslim peoples of the region, particularly Sunnis, Shiites, and Salafis toward each other, have significantly deteriorated in recent times. That seems to confirm the general acceptance noted above, that sectarian factors have played a role in shaping the regions’ politics. As an example of a radically changing perception, Hezbollah of Lebanon has recently transformed into a much hated actor in the eyes of Sunnis, whereas prior to the Arab Revolutions it was generally regarded as an organization heroically resisting Israeli aggression. Thus, Hezbollah and Iran are being accused of pursuing “sectarian politics.”Given this situation, defining sectarian politics gains importance. For a sound definition, answering the following three questions will be a guide:

1. If regional states or non-state actors follow a policy to protect communities sharing the same, or similar, sectarian sensitivities, can this possibly be evaluated as an indicator of sectarian politics?

2. If these actors take advantage of the same, or similar sectarian sensitivities of other peoples in other countries to serve their own interests, does that amount to following sectarian politics?

3. If these regional actors try to spread their own sectarian identities among Muslims of other countries (Shi’ization, Salafization, or Sunnization), can this be considered sectarian politics?

All of the attitudes and actions represented in the questions above can be indicators of sectarian politics, although to different degrees. The attitude described in the first question, that is to say, states or non-state actors in the Middle East following a policy to protect communities in other countries sharing the same, or similar, sectarian attitudes, may be acting upon principles of sectarian politics, although it is not always so.

Although it is understandable that states sharing the same sectarian sensitivities as minority communities in other countries may seek to act as their guardians if the latter are under oppression in their respective countries, such actions may lead to conflicts, because they may be used as an excuse to interfere unlawfully in the internal affairs of those countries.

Why some countries follow such sectarian politics boils down to two answers – one theological, the other political.

For this reason, whether or not one may evaluate the steps taken to protect the rights of minority sectarian groups living in other countries as falling within the scope of sectarian politics is completely subjective. Some attempts to that end may instead be evaluated genuine efforts to defend the rights of minorities; some others may be considered sectarian interventions, depending on the individuals and the case.

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