1. Shi’ism

2. The Christian Reformation sectarianism (Catholic and Protestant)
In Islam sects were established before its reformative movement
In both cases sects have been a part of conflict based more on political as opposed to religious interests

3. Sectarian Wars of Religion, Christianity 1522 - 1700

4. Peace of Westphalia

7. Shīʻatu ʻAlī, followers of Ali
10-13% of Muslims
11-14% in the Middle East-North Africa region
Around 70% of Shias live in Iran, Pakistan, India and Iraq.
Major Sects: Imami (Twelvers) Ismailis (Seveners) Zaydis (Fivers)
Twelvers, Ismailis and Zaidis
Disagreements among Shiites arose mostly concerning the line of succession of the imamate and the nature of the Hidden Imam

11. Sunni Belief Muhammad died without appointing a successor
Companions gathered and elected Abu Bakr as the first Caliph
Father of Muhammad's wife Aisha
Caliph should be democratically chosen
After the Rashidun (first four Caliphs) hereditary dynastic is rule practiced

12. Shi’ite Belief on Succession
God chose Ali to be Muhammad's successor
Ali was Muhammad's cousin and closest living male relative, married to Muhammad's daughter Fatimah
The Farewell Pilgrimage
Hadith of the pond of Khum
Shia believe Mohammed appointed Ali caliph
Ali did not profess to be the Caliph at that time, he is later elected as the 4th Caliph

13. Caliphate

14. Early Islamic Civil Wars
Abu Bakr elected Caliph 632
“Wars of Apostasy”
Caliph Umar 634. Assassinated 644
Caliph Uthman ibn Affan killed 656
Ali ibn Talib becomes Caliph. Assassinated 661
“Fitna of the Killing of Uthman" established the Umayyad dynasty

15. Shi’ite Sects Twelevers: Iran, Lebanon, Iraq
Ismailis, second largest Shiite sect, broke off in the 8th century
Afghanistan, India, Pakistan. Communities in East and South Africa.
Zaydis (Fivers) mostly found in Yemen. Reject the concepts of the imams’ infallibility and of a “hidden imam.”

16. Alawites, mostly in Syria and Lebanon.
Alawites interpret the pillars (duties) of Islam as symbolic rather than applied
Alevis, Turkey
The Druze community was an eleventh-century offshoot of Ismaili Shiite Islam and is concentrated in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Palestine

17. Hidden Imam
Muhammad ibn Hasan al Mahdi believed by Twelvers Shia Muslims to be the Mahdi
savior of humankind who will emerge with Isa (Jesus) bringing peace and justice to the world.
Al Mahdi born 869
Minor Occultation, Imam hidden on earth for 70 years
Sunni and other minority Shias believe that the Mahdi has not yet been born
disappeared from earth in about 939 CE.
"greater occultation" spiritually present

18. Political Shi’ism Continual reinterpretation of doctrine (ijtihad)
Clergy active in political life
Less dominatied by political actors than Sunni Ulema
Khomeini's velayat-e faqih, political guardianship of the community of believers by scholars
“The clergy, by virtue of their superior knowledge of the laws of God, are the best qualified to rule the society of believers who are preparing themselves on earth to live eternally in heaven”
velayat-e faqih provides the doctrinal basis for theocratic government,

19. Black and Red Shi’ism Ali Shariati
Red Shi'ism is concerned with social justice and salvation for the masses and absent of idolatrous rituals and established clergy.
Black Shi'ism dominated by the monarchy and clergy

21. Sectarianizing the Islamic World
1979 Islamic Revolution shifts the paradigm away from the Arab Cold War, to the Middle East Cold War
Religious identity defines divisions
Alliances based on common enemies and common interests
Religion as a political tool

22. Cold War Blocs Revolutionary Bloc Lead by Iran (Russian Support)
Status Quo Bloc
Led by Saudi Arabia
(US Support)

23. Proxy Conflict Zones