The Vocabulary of Syrian Sectarian Violence
Remember Syria?
A quick summary of an article in Foreign Policy Magazine and thought the sectarian framing of the Syrian conflict interesting. The following describes the many ways opposing groups refer to each other. The sectarian tone reflects a strategy of dehumanizing the opposition, binding the in-group and represents the larger regional and religious issues involved.
The Vocabulary of Sectarianism
By Aaron Y. Zelin and Phillip Smith
Found: http://mideastafrica.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2014/01/29/the_vocabulary_of_sectarianism
Here is a short list of the various descriptors and the primary users.
Nusrayri — Sunni
Refers to Abu Shuayb Muhammad Ibn Nusayr (founder of the Alawites). The term frames the Alawites as following a man and not God (therefore not divinely inspired). Before the conflict it was little used out-side global jihadist set; it is currently in common use even among groups perceived as moderates (Free Syrian Army or well known clerics like Yusuf al-Qaradawi). Qaradawi characterized ‘Nusatris’ as bigger infidels than Jews of Christians.
Rafidha — Sunni
Means ‘rejectionist’ and refers to Twelver Shiites (largest of Shiite sects and majority of Iran). It paints Shiites as ‘filth’ and enemies of Islam. Sometimes used by Shiites as a symbol of mocking defiance.
Hizb al-Lat/Hizb al-Shaytan — Sunni
Sunni Islamist derogatory term for Hezbollah: “Party of Lat” and “Party of Satan.” Al-Lat refers to pre-Islamic goddess making Hezbollah polytheists and therefore not true believers.
Majus — Sunni
Not as popular, this term refers to Shiites as ‘magianist’ or follower of Zoroastrianism. The meaning is two-fold one part cast Shiites as followers of a foreign and therefore wrong religion and the other emphasizes the Persian origins of Shiites.
Safawi — Sunni
Refers to the Safavid Dynasty that ruled Persia from 1501-1736 and is known for the ‘Shiite-ization’ of Persia. This term is sometimes expressed as Sahiyyu-Safawi or Zionist-Safawi, referring to the Jewish/Shiite conspiracy against Sunni Muslims.
Nasabi — Shiite
Favored by Shiite describing Sunni and is term for those “who hate the family of Mohammad. In other words it decribes people who “are considered non-Muslim.” It is a term that Sunnis would find very offensive.
Takfiri — Shiite
A Muslim that accuses another Muslim of being an infidel, so justified in killing him. Often used in Shiite fatwas to defend Islam (Shiite here) from attacks of non-believers. The use of takfiri is often used in conspiracy narratives that pit Shia against Israel, US, Saudi Arabia and the world.
Ummayad — Shiite
Refers to the Ummayad Empire (Sunni 8th century) used by Sunnis as a call to return to glory of the past. Shiites use the term to recall historic injustices and a foundation in the Islamic schism. Recalls Yazid, Ummayad leader and considered by Shiites as the personification of evil.
Wahhabis — Shiite
Used by Shiites for those that follow the teaching of Sunni Salafist Muhammad Ibn Abd al_Wahhab (the dominant theological influence in Saudi Arabia). According to Aaron Zellin and Phillip Smith the use of this term by Shiites brands their foes (Sunni/Salafist) as “schismatic ideological proxies of Riyadh.”
Kafir — ALL
Universally used to describe an infidel/unbeliever. If a Muslim accuses another Muslim of ‘unbelief’ or apostasy it is takfir — the punishment for apostasy is death.