Sectarianization and Sectarian Politics in the MENA Region

Arafat offers an in-depth analysis of religious sectarianism in the MENA region, particularly among Sunni-Shia Muslims. Put succinctly, this chapter examines various theories and approaches for understanding sectarianism in the MENA region. It focuses on the root causes of sectarianism in the MENA region. “Sectarianization and Sectarian Politics in the MENA Region” concludes that religious sectarianism has impacted MENA countries to varied degrees, with Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, and Bahrain among the most sectarian states. Sectarianism in Syria, unlike Saudi Arabia, is impacted by external powers such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. It reveals how Al-Asad’s sectarianization survival strategy, together with external factors, are the primary reasons for the country’s sectarianization. It also concludes that there has been a considerable increase in violence between the Sunni and Shia groups, from 0.03% in 1989 to 44% in 2017.