1. SUNNI vs. SHIITE

2. WHAT CAUSED THE SPLIT? Muhammad, Islam’s founder, died in 632 A.D. -did not name a successor Muslims couldn’t agree how to choose new Caliph -Muhammad’s bloodline only? -or, Muhammad’s closest advisors / friends too?

3. SUNNI & SHIITE Shiites -those who supported Muhammad’s blood relatives only Sunnis -those who supported any top Muslim leader

4. THE SPLIT Sunni & Shiites met on the battlefield -Sunnis won Shiites still refused to accept Sunni Caliphs -appointed own leaders (Imams)

5. AFTER THE SPLIT Sunnis controlled the Caliphate & most Muslim countries -became dominate sect -90% of world’s Muslims are Sunni Sunnis spread prejudice & oppressed Shiites -treated them as 2 nd class citizens

7. IRAQ Britain & France created Iraq (1918) -Shiite (60%), Sunni (20%) -but, put Sunnis in charge -Shiites faced discrimination Saddam Hussein took power (1979 – 2003) -increased Shiite oppression -murdered Shiites (300,000+)

8. POST-SADDAM HUSSEIN USA enforced open elections for Iraq’s new gov’t. (2005) Shiites took control of Iraq - “payback” time -have excluded Sunnis from all positions of power -some Sunnis murdered

9. SUNNI RESPONSE IN IRAQ Demand more power in gov’t. Sunni terrorism groups began bombing campaigns -bombed Shiites’ most holy mosque -in return, Shiite militias have kidnapped, tortured, & murdered Sunnis

10. IRAQ TODAY Sunni & Shiite extremist (terrorist) groups carry out attacks On Verge of Civil War -Sunni & Shia are fighting for control of Iraq’s gov’t. (power!)

11. TERRORIST GROUPS Sunni -Al – Qaeda -Fatah -Hamas Shiite -Hezbollah