Sistani sees the Iraqi experience in coexistence as an inspiring one for Shiites of the world and as an example for the region’s countries to follow. He is trying to make it a civil experience that guarantees Islamic consensus while protecting ethnic, cultural and sectarian diversity. This is the type of message that he wants Shiites around the world to spread and follow.
In a meeting with a delegation from the Gulf in July 2014, Sistani criticized the results of the Arab Spring. He was not against the people’s freedom of expression and quest for their legitimate rights, but he did object to the contribution of social movements in sparking strife and to bloody practices that do not fulfill the supreme, democratic objective that he favors. This objective supports harmony, understanding and integration among the different Islamic schools and sects.
Sistani’s culture of peace is not necessarily truce oriented. The Shiite authority, throughout its history, has rejected social injustice and supported the people’s desire to obtain their rights. It has continued to do so in Iraq, even after 2003, when Shiite leaders gained power.
The political slogan "Shiites are ruling Iraq" was enough to shift the religious authority’s policy through its speeches, messages and stances, from boycotting politicians to openly supporting the people. The identity of the Shiite ruler, and the regime’s assertions that it was defending Shiites were not enough to convince the religious authority to ignore its values backing all the people’s rights first and foremost. Iraq’s future, according to Sistani, is based on protecting intellectual, cultural and religious diversity in the country within the framework of good governance that does not favor one sect over the other, even if Shiites rule.
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