Sunni-Shii Relations in the Middle East

Project Information

SSRIME

Grant agreement ID: 888063

DOI

10.3030/888063

Project terminated on 31 August 2023

EC signature date 3 April 2020

Start date 1 February 2021

End date 31 January 2024

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 251 002,56

EU contribution

€ 251 002,56

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITA CA' FOSCARI VENEZIA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SSRIME (Sunni-Shii Relations in the Middle East)

Reporting period: 2023-02-01 to 2024-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Project number 888063, Sunni-Shii Relations in the Middle East (SSRIME) investigates the entangled history of Sunni-Shii relations and sectarian politics in the Middle East and the wider Islamic world. SSRIME seeks to explain the root causes of instability in the Middle East and forced migration, and thus fits key policy objectives of the European Union. It is thus not only of academic interest but has clear policy relevance. One of the potential impacts generated by SSRIME will be the drawing of conclusions as to the importance of the mistakes made in the lead up to the 2003 Iraq War, and the war’s impact on sectarian relations in Iraq and the region.
The primary research question is under what circumstances does Sunni-Shii conflict occur, and when are Sunni-Shii relations less politically relevant? Initially, the primary case study was Iraq under the Baath Party (1968-2003). However, given the restraints imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns, and a deteriorating political and security situation in Iraq and parts of the Middle East, the project was expanded to include more comparative and historical case studies. As such SSRIME has taken on a more holistic approach to Sunni-Shii Relations in the Middle East and beyond, answering the primary research question in a more historical and broader framework.
The project therefore not only studies the relationship between the Iraqi state and Iraqi Shia, but also draws upon historical and regional comparative examples to answer the research question. Its lessons are therefore also be applicable to other countries in the region. SSRIME included an outgoing phase at Stanford University, in particular for work with the Baath Party of Iraq archives held at Stanford University, and a return phase at Ca’ Foscari University.
Its primary conclusion is that Sunni-Shii conflict occurs under specific conditions, primarily as a result of political and geopolitical tensions. Doctrinal tensions developed for over a millennium, but political and violent conflict only broke out under specific circumstances, especially when new rising powers espoused a specific sectarian identity. At other times, Sunni-Shii unity, in various forms of pan-Islam, nationalism, or other social and political projects, persisted.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During an initial period of remote work due to Covid-19, and in cooperation with the two project supervisors, the PI expanded the scope of the project to include historical material and examples. This allowed addressing of the research questions also while access to Iraq and the archives in Stanford remained impossible or difficult. After the end of the lockdowns, especially also in California, the PI became a Visiting Fellow at the Abbasi Program for Islamic Studies at Stanford University in 2022. While at Stanford, Dr Matthiesen primarily worked with the Baath Party of Iraq archives at the Hoover Institution. Dr Matthiesen also worked with other collections in the Hoover archives and used other Library resources, such as the Green Library, as well as with the Nixon library archives in LA.
In addition, Dr Matthiesen engaged with and networked with colleagues across the University, especially with his Stanford supervisor Prof. Lisa Blaydes. The PI also attended regular talks and participated in seminars in Islamic Studies, History and Political Science, and Data Science. The PI also interacted with Stanford students and faculty members as well as visiting researchers at the Abbasi Program and at the Hoover archives. While at Stanford, Dr Matthiesen was prominently featured on the Abbasi Program’s website. Dr Matthiesen also repeatedly interacted with the project’s ethics mentor.
The PI has also benefitted from significant transfers of knowledge, especially in terms of IT and presentation and research skills, networking, dissemination, and communication skills.
In the final period of the project, the PI primarily worked towards publication and dissemination of results. This was primarily achieved through the completion of a monograph on Sunni-Shii Relations with Oxford University Press: The Caliph and the Imam: The Making of Sunnism and Shiism. Furthermore, the PI worked on numerous other outputs and dissemination of the findings.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The PI attended several major academic conferences and presented the findings widely. The impacts of these dissemination efforts will continue even after the end of the project. The project as a whole has contributed to better understandings between different branches of Islam, as well as between the Middle East and Europe. On a personal level, the cooperation between two major Universities in Europe and the United States, and the management of an independent research project, have paved the way for a tenured position at a major research intensive University.

9780198806554.jpg