We don't have accurate statistics because in much of the Middle East it is not convenient to have them, for ruling regimes in particular. Zaidi are sometimes called "Fiver Shia" instead of Twelver Shia because they recognize the first four of the Twelve Imams but accept Zayd ibn Ali as their "Fifth Imm" rather than his brother Muhammad al-Baqir. The main difference between Sunnis and Shias lies in their interpretation of the rightful succession of leadership after the death of the prophet Muhammad. [152], Following the 2005 elections, much of the leadership of Iran has been described as more "staunchly committed to core Shia values" and lacking Ayatollah Khomeini's commitment to ShiaSunni unity. Alawites are often considered a form of Shia Islam, that differs somewhat from the larger Twelver Shia sect.[158]. 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Until recently ShiaSunni relations have been cordial, and a majority of people of both sects participated in the creation the state of Pakistan in the 1940s. Some Shia religious leaders also wear a black robe. [93], Some Western analysts assert that the US is practicing divide and rule strategy through the escalation of Sunni-Shia conflict. fajr on its own Dhuhr with Asr and Maghrib with Isha'), thus praying five times a day but with a very small break in between the prayer, instead of five prayers with some gap between them as required by Sunni schools of law. Tens of thousands of Iranians and Arabs of Iranian origin were expelled in 1979 and 1980 and a further 75,000 in 1989.[117]. [citation needed] Nevertheless, Shia have been forbidden all but the most modest displays on their principal festivals, which are often occasions of sectarian strife in the Persian Gulf region, with its mixed SunniShia populations.[163]. How much of the conflict was sparked by Sunni versus Shia divisions and how much by Islamism versus secular-Arab-nationalism, is in question, but according to scholar Vali Nasr the failure of the Ayatollah Khomeini and the Islamic Republic of Iran to support the Muslim Brotherhood against the Baathists "earned [Khomeini] the Brotherhood's lasting contempt." Jasmine admitted that not having a wedding meant letting go of a big part of their lives. The beautiful couple planned a lush honeymoon and they also bought a house! Following the wake Shia mobs in Iraq attacked the Jordanian embassy on 20 March 2005. On the other hand, members of the Saudis' own Shia minority have complained of being treated as potential fifth columnists for Iran. When police broke them up three days of rampage ensuedburned cars, attacked banks, looted shopscentered around Qatif. [139], information indicates Sunnis, along with other religious minorities, are denied by law or practice access to such government positions as cabinet minister, ambassador, provincial governor, mayor and the like, Sunni schools and mosques have been destroyed, and Sunni leaders have been imprisoned, executed and assassinated. Jasmine & Dawoud 531K subscribers Hi everyone! [207] Amongst the culprits blamed for the killing are Al-Qaeda working "with local sectarian groups" to kill what they perceive as Shia apostates, and "foreign powers trying to sow discord. [235], Malaysia claims to be a tolerant Islamic state, however since 2010 it has banned the preaching of Shia Islam, with a "particular ferocity"[236] and warns against Shiism with its, "evil and blasphemous beliefs". According to scholar Vali Nasr, as the Muslim world was decolonialised and Arab nationalism lost its appeal, fundamentalism blossomed and reasserted the differences and conflicts between the two movements, particularly in the strict teachings of Sunni scholar Ibn Taymiyyah. The "shadowy Sunni militant group Jundallah" has reportedly been receiving weaponry from the United States for these attacks according to the semi-official Fars News Agency. Shias were also persecuted during the Ba'ath Party rule, especially under Saddam Hussein. At least seven Shi'a religious leaders-Abd al-Latif Muhammad Ali, Habib al-Hamid, Abd al-Latif al-Samin, Abdallah Ramadan, Sa'id al-Bahaar, Muhammad Abd al-Khidair, and Habib Hamdah Sayid Hashim al-Sadah-reportedly remained in prison for violating these restrictions. Malise Ruthven writes that the post invasion de-Ba'athification by the US occupiers deprived Iraq of "the officer class and administrative cadres that had ruled under Saddam Hussein, leaving the field to sectarian-based militias". [124] Sunni insurgent organizations include Ansar al-Islam. The president explained the situation by saying Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would not agree to the proposal. They displayed mutual warmth with hugs and smiles for cameras and The divide. [185][186] All this resulted despite the strong filial bonds, ties of commerce, and traditional friendship between the two neighboring countries. Washington, DC: National Geographic 2008, "Hijab, The Muslim Womens Dress, Islamic or Cultural? Among those blaming the US invasion of Iraq are Fawaz Gerges, who writes in his book ISIS: A History, By destroying state institutions and establishing a sectarian-based political system, the 2003 US-led invasion polarized the country along Sunni-Shia lines and set the stage for a fierce, prolonged struggle driven by identity politics. After the Mongols and the fall of the Abbasids, the Sunni Ulama suffered greatly. Sunni-Shia Harmony. Both Shia and Sunni dissidents in Yemen have similar complaints about the governmentcooperation with the American government and an alleged failure to following Sharia law[194]but it's the Shia who have allegedly been singled out for government crackdown. Until the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, the Shia never governed a modern Arab state. Shias do not accept many Sunni hadiths unless they are also recorded in Shia sources or the methodology can be proven of how they were recorded. She is also an influencer on Instagram with a following of 269k. Introduction. [83] Millions of Saudi adhere to the school of Salafism which is a branch of Sunni Islam. The concept of Shi'ism further crystallized around events at the Battle of Karbala, where Husayn ibn Ali, the son of Ali and grandson of the prophet, was killed alongside many of his supporters. The differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims are mainly expressed through different religious practices. The casualty toll of the war's first three years has exceeded that of Iraq's decade-long conflict, and the fight has "amplified sectarian tensions to unprecedented levels". [253], After the collapse of the Iraqi army and capture of the city of Mosul by ISIS in June 2014, the "most senior"[254] Shia spiritual leader based in Iraq, the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who had been known as "pacifist" in his attitudes, issued a fatwa calling for jihad against ISIS and its Sunni allies, which was seen by the Shia militias as a "de facto legalization of the militias advance". Jasmine went to Dawouds family restaurant with Dawouds sister and she caught Dawouds eye. This research paper has tried to focus on origin and development of Sunni-Shia division in Islam and also on its political, socio-economic implications and contemporary relations. Others insisted the Prophet had designated his cousin and son-in-law Ali as his legitimate heir. The domination of the Sunni creed during the first nine Islamic centuries characterizes the religious history of Iran during this period. With the passage of time, Iranians' readiness to practise Shi'ism grew day by day. [225], Islam is the dominant religion in Indonesia, which also has a larger Muslim population than any other country in the world, with approximately 202.9million identified as Muslim (88.2% of the total population) as of 2009. According to Morteza Motahhari:[59]. In fact, since the time of the leadership of Shaykh Mufid and Shaykh Tusi, Iraq had a central academic position for Shi'ism. On the other side Shia from Hezbollah in Lebanon and from Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kata'ib Hezbollah militias from Iraq have backed the Syrian government. Mass demonstrations have been held in favor of full-fledged democracy in March and June 2005, against an alleged insult to Ayatollah Khamenei in July 2005.[205]. [163], The Saudi conflict of Shia and Sunni extends beyond the borders of the kingdom because of international Saudi "Petro-Islam" influence. However, with the advent of the Zengids and Ayyubids, the population of Shias dwindled greatly due to conversion and migrations. However, nothing can be done about this as Iraq's Shiite government were democratically elected. "[223], In Nigeriathe most populous country in Africauntil recently almost all Muslims were Sunni. Another example is hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, who is considered by Shias as an enemy of Ali. Info@jasminefares.com SHOP FARES .Watch the latest video from Jasmine & Dawoud (@jasmineanddawoud). [75], Sunni razzias which came to be known as Taarajs virtually devastated the community. After the Iranian Revolution and the fall of Pahlavi dynasty, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini endeavored to bridge the gap between Shiites and Sunnis by declaring it permissible for Twelvers to pray behind Sunni imams and by forbidding criticizing the Caliphs who preceded Alian issue that had caused much animosity between the two groups. Had Shi`ism not been deeply rooted in the Iranian spirit, the Safawids (9071145/15011732) would not have succeeded in converting Iranians to the Shi'i creed Ahl al-Bayt sheerly by capturing political power. Around 10% of Afghanistan, less than 5% of the Muslims in Nigeria, and around 5% of population of Tajikistan are Shia.