Does the Muslim Community Get Along with Anyone Around the World?

Does the Muslim Community Get Along with Anyone Around the World?

By Bobby Darvish - darvishintelligence.blogspot.com 

Growing up in Iran as part of a Muslim family, I once considered Islam a natural part of my identity. Later, as an Imam and Islamic leader in the U.S., I promoted Islam in a diverse American society. However, as I studied Islam further and observed its doctrines and practices, I noticed a troubling theme: Islam, both historically and presently, has exhibited a relentless hostility not only toward non-Muslims but even among its own sects. This hostility raises a legitimate question: Can the Muslim community coexist peacefully with anyone around the world?

Historic Context of Conflict

Throughout history, Muslim communities have often engaged in conflict with both external and internal groups. From the time of Muhammad, whose wars with various tribes and neighbors established the model for violent expansion, Islam has rarely coexisted peacefully with others for extended periods. The Muslim conquests in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe weren’t just about spreading faith—they were marked by the forceful subjugation of local populations and the suppression of indigenous beliefs and practices.

The concept of Dar al-Islam (the house of Islam) versus Dar al-Harb (the house of war) has provided a stark theological basis for perpetual conflict with non-Muslim entities. This division teaches that the world is split into regions of Islamic control and regions of ongoing conflict. This isn’t merely ancient ideology—Muslim groups still invoke it to justify modern-day conflicts. Even in the absence of direct violence, the inherent division creates a barrier to true peace and coexistence with others.

Sectarian Conflict: Muslim-on-Muslim Hostility

One might assume that at least within the Muslim community itself, there would be a greater sense of unity. However, the schism between Sunni and Shia Muslims is one of the most violent internal divisions in any world religion. Beginning shortly after Muhammad’s death, Sunni and Shia Muslims have often viewed each other not only as rivals but as heretics. Countries like Iraq, Syria, and Yemen bear the scars of these hostilities, where sectarian violence has torn apart societies. Even in majority-Muslim countries, sectarianism leads to ongoing civil strife, political instability, and humanitarian crises.

Beyond Sunni and Shia divides, Sufis, Ahmadis, and other sects also face persecution. In Pakistan, Ahmadi Muslims are legally forbidden from identifying as Muslims; in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East, Sufi shrines are destroyed by Salafi extremists. The Muslim community’s failure to foster internal harmony further highlights the struggle Islam faces in building peaceful relations, even among its own followers.

Persecution of Religious Minorities

In countries where Muslims hold the majority, religious minorities are frequently treated as second-class citizens. I have seen how Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, and other religious groups suffer under Islamic rule. For instance, in Iran, Baha'is are systematically discriminated against, with their places of worship destroyed and their rights restricted. In Pakistan, blasphemy laws are regularly used to imprison Christians on false charges, leading to mob violence and extrajudicial killings. This persecution is often backed by the state, which uses religion as a means of maintaining control.

When I reflect on these patterns, I can’t help but think of the teachings of Jesus Christ, who called for love, forgiveness, and turning the other cheek—values that allow individuals to live harmoniously despite differences. In contrast, Islam’s treatment of religious minorities is hostile, entrenched in Quranic verses and Hadiths that prescribe punishment for “disbelievers.”

Struggles with Integration in the West

Some may argue that these issues are unique to the Muslim-majority world. However, evidence shows that Muslim communities in Western countries struggle with integration and often face tensions with their non-Muslim neighbors. In Europe, countries like France, Germany, and Sweden have grappled with rising violence linked to radical Islamist ideology, as well as cultural clashes involving Sharia law and Western legal systems.

The notion of Ummah, or the global Muslim community, often supersedes national identity for many Muslims. This loyalty sometimes manifests in insularity, with certain Muslim neighborhoods functioning more like enclaves than integrated communities. The rise of “no-go zones” in some European cities—areas where police and emergency services face hostility and violence—illustrates the challenges of Muslim integration in Western societies. These are not just cases of immigration or cultural adjustment; they are symptoms of a belief system that often fails to assimilate due to its theological imperative to remain separate and superior to non-Muslims.

Why Does Islam Clash with Everyone?

The fundamental issue lies in the very teachings of Islam, which I once defended and now denounce after converting to Christianity. The Quran’s directives to distinguish between believers and unbelievers, to reject alliances with non-Muslims, and to wage jihad against those who resist Islamic dominance shape the community’s worldview. This is not an opinion; it is embedded in Islamic scripture and history.

For example, Quran 5:51 instructs Muslims not to take Jews and Christians as allies, while Quran 9:29 commands Muslims to fight those who do not believe in Allah. These verses are not merely theoretical but are frequently cited by extremists to justify terrorism, by governments to enforce discrimination, and by ordinary Muslims who feel justified in viewing non-Muslims as outsiders.

Conclusion: The Peace Found in Christianity

As a former Muslim who now identifies as a conservative Christian within the LDS Church, I can say that Christianity offers an alternative that Islam fundamentally lacks: a gospel of true peace and unity. The teachings of Jesus Christ transcend earthly divisions, urging us to love our neighbors regardless of their faith, nationality, or background. This inclusive love is absent in Islamic doctrine, which divides the world into believers and “enemies” of Islam.

Reflecting on my experiences, I see now how Islam’s inherent hostility toward both non-Muslims and internal sects continues to breed conflict. Islam’s worldview doesn’t allow Muslims to get along even with each other, much less with anyone else. It is only by embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ that true peace and unity can be found—a peace that doesn’t depend on subjugating others but rather on loving them.

For more discussions on these topics, visit my blog: darvishintelligence.blogspot.com.

References

1. Ibn Warraq. Why I Am Not a Muslim. Prometheus Books, 1995.
2. Lewis, Bernard. The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror. Random House, 2003.
3. Pipes, Daniel. "Islam's Borders: Understanding Its Tenets of Jihad and Ummah." Middle East Quarterly, vol. 8, no. 1, 2001, www.meforum.org/1008/islams-borders.
4. Spencer, Robert. The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades). Regnery Publishing, 2005.