Saturday, January 4, 2020
Entrenched Sectarianism Limits Optimism, Impacts Views Of...
Entrenched Sectarianism Limits Optimism, Impacts Views of Democracy Hope for a more inclusive government, however, is tenuous given the deep distrust built over a decade of sectarian tensions and violence. Many participants believe the new government is no more inclusive than the previous one and is driven primarily by sectarian preferences. This hits at a core paradox that casts a shadow over Iraqââ¬â¢s future and its ability to progress: while almost all participants are highly critical of sectarianism in Iraq, manyââ¬âeven in the same statementââ¬âdemonstrate sectarian attitudes. Though they are all eager to end the sectarian divisions, many participants still use sectarian language that further enhances this division. For example, a Baghdad Shia man says, ââ¬Å"Iraq is one of the most important Arab countries; it is unbelievable that we have a Kurdish president.â⬠Many participants view sectarianism as the underlying barrier to improving lives, strengthening the economy, resolving the security situation, and fighting ISIS. Sectarian tensions affect atti-tudes toward Iraqi leaders and democracy in general. For example, many Sunni and Kurd par-ticipants worry that Abadi will only represent Shia interests and think that someone coming from Malikiââ¬â¢s party, Daââ¬â¢wa, will focus more attention on those within his sect and ignore the needs of others. An Erbil Kurdish woman says, ââ¬Å"Al-Abadi is from the same political party as al-Maliki and they have the same ideas and politics. They are doing the
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