Big differences between Islamic sects

Darius Assemi’s op-ed piece of Jan. 24 came close to explaining issues America and the world face regarding Islam. The most important talking point of the essay was delivered delicately and diplomatically: “Wahhabism is not Islam.”

This is a reference to the fanatical interpretation practiced in Sunni Saudi Arabia. The subtle inference relates to the fact that all of the terrorist outrages involving Western targets over the last 20-plus years have and continue to be perpetrated by radicalized Sunnis.

Mr. Assemi omits reference to Shiite Iran holding American embassy staff hostage for 400-plus days as punishment for U.S. meddling in Iranian internal affairs. Yet despite years of assertions that the U.S. is the Great Satan, it is not young Shiite men and women who are blowing themselves up, indiscriminately gunning down innocents at concerts, resorts, restaurants, county centers, or flying planes into skyscrapers.

By contrast, Sunni Saudi Arabia outwardly embraces America as its close ally, while inwardly pursuing an extremist and radical ideology serving to fuel, fund, and inspire Sunni terrorist ambitions.

It’s time for Americans to educate themselves regarding the two major sects of Islam to make more informed decisions and policy to better protect the lifestyle they cherish.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 8:49 AM with the headline "Big differences between Islamic sects."