In a controversial statement, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, claimed that events from 1,400 years ago have no relevance to today’s reality, accusing some parties of exploiting those incidents to “justify the occupation of lands and countries.”
Political analysts and observers criticized these remarks, viewing them as an attempt to obscure the historical roots of ongoing conflicts, which continue to deeply shape the present and future.
Observers argue that Julani’s comments align with regional agendas supporting him, aiming to erase the fact that today’s crises stem from a pivotal historical moment when the Ahlulbayt, peace be upon them, were excluded from their divine role in leading and guiding the Muslim Ummah, setting the stage for centuries of division and conflict.
However, calls to recall this tragic history are not meant to fuel sectarian strife, which has plagued nations for centuries. Shia religious scholars, including prominent moderate voices, consistently advocate for peaceful coexistence among diverse faiths and sects, as seen in many countries today.
Julani’s disregard for this peaceful dimension reveals his repeated attempts to distance himself from his violent past as a former affiliate of al-Qaeda, a group responsible for bombings and heinous crimes that ignited sectarian tensions, particularly in Iraq.
Analysts describe Julani’s remarks as a desperate effort to conceal the truth and whitewash a bloody record filled with hatred, manipulating history to promote narratives that serve specific agendas. Understanding history, they assert, is not a mere intellectual exercise but essential to addressing the roots of current crises.
