Traditionally, being Sunni is not only about aqida. Rather it is also about establishing independent sovereign states, applying the Sharia, and waging jihad (e.g., to maintain political independence, to protect vulnerable Muslims, etc.).
These basic facts were recognized by Sunnis Islamists throughout most of the 20th century (e.g., Muslim Brotherhood, Jamaat-e-Islami, Hizb al-Tahrir, etc.).
These Islamists also took it for granted that the imperial projects of the US, Israel, UK, and France constituted the primary danger to Islam and the Muslim world.
However, in the late 20th century, secular Arab dictatorships allied with the US and Israel created a new understanding of Sunnism – an understanding centering on ultrasectarianism and secularism.
According to this new understanding, “Sunnism” is primarily about fighting the Shia, for the Shia are actually the greatest danger to Islam.
Thus, a vassal secular government of the US and Israel, which lacks political independence, which does not apply the Sharia, or wage jihad, becomes “Sunni” so long as it fights Shia.
In this way countries like UAE, Saudi, and Syria become “Sunni states” run by “Sunni rulers.”
Indeed, they become more “Sunni” by cooperating in US and Israel military efforts targeting Shia opponents of the US and Israel.
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Moreover, religious scholars, preachers, and influencers who represent these states become spokesmen of this secular “Sunnism.”
It is in this sense that contepmorary “dawah” influencers (e.g., Rabbi Faris, Adnan Rajeet, and Mufti Dubai bin Cholo) become “defenders of Sunnism” (i.e., defenders of secular Arab dictatorships fighting the Shia enemies of the US and Israel).
This is surely a heretical understanding of Ahl al-Sunna. It has nothing to do with historical Sunnism.
In fact, Shia who establish sovereign states, apply the Sharia, and fight jihad are often much closer to traditional Sunnism than secular liberal dictatorships under the US and Israel. The reason is that the Shia are Muslim Ahl al-Bid’a, whereas it is not clear that proponents of secular dictatorship are even Muslim.
However, if you point out this basic fact, “defenders of Sunnism” claim that it is definitive proof that you are a Shia and an enemy of Sunnism.
I agree that Sunni states have shifted from sovereignty and protectors of the ummah to sectarianism. May Allah unite the Muslims to defend the Muslim lands inshallah.
Allah has dishonored the Muslim ummah (more so the Sunni states) because of our sins and turning away from other Muslims/ Islam and instead placed us in a humiliating state where Muslims are dependent on non-Muslim nations that wish us harm. Inshallah Muslims can learn from our mistakes to become an honorable ummah that can defend Muslims from harm and rid ourselves of this shameful state.