Religion has blood on its hands once again. This time in Karachi, Pakistan. At least 43 Ismailis were killed and 13 wounded when attackers boarded a bus and executed the occupants at close range. Jundullah, a splinter group of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Al Qaeda affiliated group which has recently pledged support to the Islmamic State (IS) is notorious for targeting Shia minorities. A blood stained pamphlet entitled ‘Advent of the Islamic State’ was left on the scene by the attackers.
The Ismailis, a peaceful. progressive and largely apolitical community, are a branch of Shia Muslims. Shia Muslims, who make up 20% of Pakistan’s predominantly Muslim population, have been embroiled in sectarian violence with the Sunni Muslim majority since the inception of the competing sects. Attacks on the Shia minority have been increasing in recent years with over 1000 Shias killed in Pakistan by hardline Sunni groups in the last two years.
Notwithstanding the notoriety that Islam is increasingly attracting on the global religious stage, it is sad to see that even within the ranks of Islam, competing pockets of faith continue to breed violence. In the words of the late Christopher Hitchens, religion truly does poison everything.
Teenage Daydream 