The economic effects of inter-sectarian harmony
The divide between Shia and Sunni sects within Islam has gained significant economic and political importance in recent times, not only within the Middle East but on a global scale too. Given the Shia community is marginalised and has suffered from terrorism for more than a decade, this project seeks to understand how relations can improve with the majority sect - the Sunnis.
In Pakistan, the focal point of our study, this divide has manifested in acts of terrorism which has claimed thousands of lives over the past few decades. The objective is to understand the underlying differences between these two sectarian groups, examining how they interact. We aim to explore whether increased interaction within religious spheres and the endorsement of harmony by authority figures can play a role in alleviating prejudice and easing economic tensions.
