Sunnis and Shia: Islam's ancient schism World Religions- Dalia Mohamed

The divide between Sunnis and Shia is the largest and oldest in the history of Islam They differ in doctrine, ritual, law, theology and religious organization. Competition between leaders. Iranian revolution of 1979 launched a radical Shia Islamist who are challenging the Sunni regimes- Gulf Countries, Saudi Arabia.

Sunni? - Shii? Who are the Sunnis? "Sunni" is "Ahl al-Sunnah", or "People of the Tradition "based on what the Prophet Muhammad said, did, agreed to or condemned Between 1.5 billion Muslims ,85% -90% Sunni. In the Middle East, Sunnis make up 90% or more of the populations of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Who are the Shia? Shia are guided by the wisdom of Muhammad's descendants through his son-in-law and cousin, Ali. Shia - 10% of all Muslims, population 154 -200 million. Shia Muslims are in the majority in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Azerbaijan and Yemen. There are also large Shia communities in Afghanistan, India, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Role of sectarianism in recent crises In Sunni countries, Shia tend to make up the poorest sections of society. Shia often see themselves as victims of discrimination and oppression Sunni extremists frequently denounce Shia as heretics who should be killed. Syria ( Hezbollah with the Syrian regime -Isis targeting Shia in Syria and Iraq) Execution of the Shi'i Imam in Saudi Arabia.

Discussion Questions: If Saudi Arabia and Iran went to war, which country Israel would be more ally? why? If you live in a Muslim Sunni community in the middle east, will your community have more common interests with a Christian community than with Shia Muslim community? Do you think any American who is converted to Islam recently will have the (preferences) and the enough knowledge to distinguish between the two doctrines Sunni or Shi'i?