Islamic bloc tackles sectarianism

The newly appointed head of the world's largest bloc of Islamic countries, Iyad Madani says he is seeking greater co-existence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims at a time when multiple conflicts have inflamed sectarian hatreds as his organization grapples with the challenge of presenting a unified Muslim voice.
In the Arab world, sectarian tensions between the two main branches of Islam have increased the past decade. In Syria, jihadist fighters from around the world are fighting alongside the country's Sunni majority against President Bashar Assad's Alawite, Shiite-backed minority. Meanwhile, Sunni-Shiite bloodletting in Iraq shows no sign of abating with hardliners on either side.

In both conflicts, rival regional heavyweights, Sunni-led Saudi Arabia and Shiite-led Iran support opposing sides.
The secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Iyad Madani, said "a new (regional) paradigm" is needed, one that "leads to a situation of co-existence, mutual understanding and common interests."
"Sectarian violence is among the most important challenges the Muslim world faces," said Madani, who is the first Saudi national to head the organization.
Madani said the organization works with religious scholars, governments and international organizations to counter sectarian ideologies and work against extremist organizations.
The idea for the creation of the international Islamic organization, which seeks to represent the worldwide Muslim community, came after a 1969 arson attack that severely destroyed part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.