ABSTRACT
In today’s global community, Shi’is and Sunnis are in the same struggle yet they do not share it. Each group continues to define itself against rather than with each other. The paper will examine the genesis of sectarian tensions, and illustrate concrete examples of how the two groups have co-existed and shared their experiences in the past. The paper will focus on the rise and expression of Islamic sectarianism in the West. It will be seen that social media has been exploited by various sectarian groups to promote their agendas. In recent times, Muslim leaders have realized that they need to defy the divisive policies of certain groups and to work toward religious reconciliation so as to establish harmonious relationships which Islam mandates. The paper will demonstrate how, in different ways and by pursuing certain policies, leaders from both groups have sought to bring the communities together.
