Re: Cohesiveness within Sunni Islam
Naturally, when say 10 independent thinkers come under a roof to work on a subject, a unified picture should emerge specially if all are working within the same framework. There will be people who will emerge as the 'seniors'. Quran too clearly sets Ilm and Taqwa as the benchmarks for greater respect and superiority.
Stripped of his status? :) whoever wrote that, does not have a slightest of the idea of what the term 'mujtahid' means in Shia Islam. Actually, Mohammad Shariatmedari, because of his position as a mujtahid, was saved execution by the government. He was not and can not be cancelled as a marja, unless people who follow him choose to not see him as marja anymore.