Is a peaceful future possible for Sunnis and Shiites?

Sociological Middle East expert is available for comment.

In Iraq, dozens are dead as a result of sectarian warfare during this week’s holy festival of Ashura.  Iraqi authorities have promised to crack down on Sunni and Shiite insurgents.  But is a peaceful solution possible?  In a recent article published by the American Sociological Association, (http://www2.asanet.org/footnotes/indexthree.html) Mansoor Moaddel, Professor of Sociology at Eastern Michigan University, informally summarizes his political attitudinal research in Iraq and offers an explanation for the violence between Sunnis and Shiites.  He also describes the challenges they face in solidifying a democratic government. 

With funding from the National Science Foundation and other sources, Moaddel has conducted extensive attitudinal survey research in the Middle East even prior to the tragic events of September 11, 2001.  He specifically can address crucial societal and cultural issues not addressed in President Bush’s Iraqi Study Group’s December 2006 report.
 
To request an interview or comment, contact Sujata Sinha at 202-247-9871 or via email at ssinha@asanet.org.