Mazar Residents’ Initiative Unify Shiite and Sunni Muslims in the Region

Residents of Mazar-e-Sharif city, Balkh province, have usually taken the lead in leadership, whether poetry, politics, music or religion.

In an initiative attempt to unify all the sectors of Islam, thousands of Muslims from both Shiite and Sonny sectors got together and offered their Friday prayer following one Imam.

“It is really is the true representation of Islam. You see people praying their hands tied side by side their Shiite brothers, who pray with their hands open,” Ghulam Hussain, a residence of Mazar said.

“We have a lot in common than in conflict. Islam invites every one for unity, and that is what we are doing today,” Said, Abdul Jamil, a resident of Mazar city.

This unity in Mazar-e-Sharif city takes place in such a critical time that according to Western media thousands of Muslims in other parts of the world are killing each other for different sectors of Islam.

“Islam is the faith of unity and peace. There are no sectarian preferences in Islam. Whoever kills a Muslim under any name or circumstances will not be forgiven in the Day of Judgment by Allah (God),” Said Mawlawi Qair.

Mazar residents also got credit for another unique initiative of providing space and allowing women to offer their prayers collectively in mosques.

Every Friday hundreds of women go to Shrine of Hazart-e Ali—the fourth Caliph of Islam and offer their Friday prayer alongside Muslim men.

This initiative soon spread out and reached to another province of Afghanistan. Residents of Herat province also replicated this positive action and allowed women to offer collective prayers in mosques.