Muhammad Al-Shibani

By insisting the resistance to its forces in Iraq comes from the “Sunni Triangle” the United States is in fact seeking to consolidate sectarianism. It is trying to give the impression the Shiites are not resisting the occupation and that the majority of the Iraqi people are for the measures the US is adopting. Paul Bremer, the US administer in Iraq, has just repeated that claim, saying resistance to the occupation comes from the Sunni side only. This contradicts the daily American accusations that Iran is allowing fighters to infiltrate its borders and cross into Iraq to carry out attacks against the occupation forces.

Supposing there were infiltrators coming from across the border from Syria and Jordan and elsewhere, these would be Sunni. The overwhelming majority of those coming from Iran would be Shiites.

That the Shiites are not involved in resisting the occupation although the same sect has proven to be a fierce opponent of the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon and indeed managed to drive the Israeli forces out of the area is something that needs to be proved. It is not enough to claim that the price paid to the Shiites to win them over was granting it the majority of seats in the Iraqi Governing Council in addition to other promises on the future government of the country. The resistance reflects an overwhelming feeling among many and cannot be contained by political deals. By claiming that the Sunni Triangle is the source of resistance to the occupation, the Americans are trying to drive a wedge between the Sunnis and Shiites.

During the fasting month of Ramadan, charities urge the wealthy to donate. People respond enthusiastically to these calls and give generously. Only a few foreign companies have answered the calls and responded to the needs of a society that represents a major market for their products and a big source of profits.

I noticed this when I read that Lipton tea has donated SR500,000 to the Handicapped Children Society and launched an advertising campaign in favor of children with special needs to shed light on their plight and encourage more donations. What is more important than this is the good example such moves set for other foreign companies.

— Muhammad Al-Shibani is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah.