--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We as outsiders can't differentiate…" description: "\"We as outsiders can't differentiate between Sunni and Shi'ah, but leave it to them and they'll get over the difficulty by some kind of hanky panky, jus..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/gertrude-bell-36791_authority_we-as-outsiders-can-t-differentiate-betw_632068.jpg" --- # We as outsiders can't differentiate between Sunni and… ![“We as outsiders can't differentiate between Sunni and Shi'ah, but leave it to them and they'll get over the difficulty by some kind of hanky panky, just as the Turks did, and for the present it's the only way of getting over it. I don't for a moment doubt that the final authority must be in the…” quote by Gertrude Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/gertrude-bell-36791_authority_we-as-outsiders-can-t-differentiate-betw_632068.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/gertrude-bell-36791_authority_we-as-outsiders-can-t-differentiate-betw_632068.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/gertrude-bell-36791_authority_we-as-outsiders-can-t-differentiate-betw_632068.jpg) > “We as outsiders can't differentiate between Sunni and Shi'ah, but leave it to them and they'll get over the difficulty by some kind of hanky panky, just as the Turks did, and for the present it's the only way of getting over it. I don't for a moment doubt that the final authority must be in the hands of the Sunnis, in spite of their numerical inferiority; otherwise you will have a mujtahid-run, theocratic state, which is the very devil.” [Gertrude Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-bell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She argues that external powers should not intervene in Sunni‑Shi'a disputes, trusting internal resolution, and warns that a theocratic rule by scholars would be disastrous. **In simple terms:** Leave sectarian issues to locals; avoid external meddling. Key Takeaway Trust local resolution, reject theocratic rule. Themes politics religion conflict resolution authority intervention secularism Mood cautious analytical skeptical Type political historical commentary When to use this quote - Diplomatic negotiations - community mediation - policy advising - academic analysis - media commentary Key Concepts Sectarianism theocracy power dynamics historical precedent Questions to Reflect On - What are the risks of non‑intervention? - How can external actors support peaceful dialogue without imposing authority? 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