The shia are concentrated in iran, southern iraq and southern lebanon. The history of the sunni and shia split traces the origins of the split and the historic effects of the main divide within islam. Arabs descend from the ottoman empire, which existed from the 15th through the 20th century. One current member of saudi arabias council of senior religious. Instead, sunni arabs have traditionally formed iraqs elite. Thus, we do not know how, and to what extent, interreligious dialogue and peacemaking occur across the shiasunni divide. In this gripping narrative history, lesley hazleton tells the tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between the sunni and shia branches of islam, a rift that dominates the news now more than ever.
But there are significant shiite communities in saudi arabia and syria, afghanistan, pakistan and india as well. Although the two major islamic factions share many common core beliefs and practices, there are some significant religious and political differences dating back to the disagreement over the succession. Separate one page or a whole set for easy conversion into independent pdf files. Yet, many people have hazy notions of what the divide is.
The sunnishia split is complicated by the nationalistic schism among middle east countries. In iraq and syria, shia powers fight off largely sunni opposition. Any discussion featuring the middle east and any analysis of politics in the region inevitably touches on the sectarian state of islam and the long standing conflict between sunni and shia believers. A history of the shiitesunni split the division of islam into sunni and shiite branches goes far back in muslim history to the aftermath of the death of the prophet muhammad. May 07, 2017 over the last decade at least, the socalled sunni shia divide has been a defining characteristic of the middle east for pundits and other nonexpert observers of the region. Sunni and shia differences have their origin in a dispute about who should lead after the death of the prophet muhammad. Prophet muhammad died in the evening of june 8, 632 a. This demographic dominance has not, however, been translated into economic and political power. The origins of shia anglicized shiite and sunni islam begins with the question of who should lead the muslim community. The sunni shia split occurred when the islamic prophet muhammad died in the year of 632. Jun 30, 2014 the origins of shia anglicized shiite and sunni islam begins with the question of who should lead the muslim community. The split between the sunnis and shia can be traced back to the death of the prophet muhammad, and the dilemma of the successor of muhammad as the leader of the muslim nation. Why did shia and sunni split after the prophet mohammeds.
This part takes readers through the years of ottoman and safavid imperial rivalry to the sunni shia convergence during european colonial years chapter two is entitled. Shia islam holds that ali ibn abi talib was the appointed successor to the islamic prophet muhammad as head. To see the essays introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion, read on. They believed that the successors to muhammad must be chosen by the muslim community. Sunnishia split the mideasts new great divide the star.
For shias, the month also is a time to mourn the events that sparked the centuriesold schism between shia and sunni muslims. After the death of prophet muhammad sallalahu alaihi wassalam, muslims came under the rule of a caliphate system and stayed united under the initial four caliphs for a period of about 30 years. An example of an early shiasunni fitna shootout occurred in kurram, one of the tribal agencies of the northwest pakistan, where the pushtun population was split between sunnis and shia. The shiasunni split takes its deadly toll even today. The sunnishia split occurred when the islamic prophet muhammad died in the year of 632. The sunni shia split and conflict early events from islamic. The division between islams shiite minority and the sunni majority is deepening across the middle east. The hajj pilgrimage in mecca, when both shia and sunni muslims come together to pray. Shiasunni divide is well on its way to displacing the broader conflict between muslims and the west as the. In addition, refugee flows from iraq to syria during recent years have increased the share of the twelver shia but there are no statistics available on these numbers. This conflict has led some observers to see the entire. The difference between sunni and shia religious orders of islam are non to the mammoth proportions as most western literature assume. Tensions between sunnis and shias, exploited by regional. Sunni and shia islam whats the origin of the split.
This reading looks at the history of the split, as well as the characteristics of sunni and shiite denominations. A page turner that reads like an incredible cross between a suspense thriller. Shia islam holds that ali ibn abi talib was the appointed successor to the islamic prophet muhammad as head of the community. The report also relates sunni and shiite religious beliefs to discussions of terrorism and sectarian violence that may be of interest during the 111th. In iraq, not a day goes by when rival shiasunni groups take the lives of hundreds of innocent people.
A history of the shiitesunni split mike shuster i the division of islam into sunni and shiite branches goes far back in muslim history to the aftermath of the death of the prophet muhammad. Its repercussions have rippled through history, with periods of peace and periods of war. Sunnishia distribution map write one generalization about the information the map is providing. Tensions between sunnis and shias, exploited by regional rivals. The conflict between sunnis and shiites is often portrayed as strictly about religion. Mar 18, 2020 the sunnishia split is complicated by the nationalistic schism among middle east countries. Thats a passage in the persian gulf through which 20% of the worlds oil passes. Split in sunnis who backed up the umayyad and the shia who backed up with ali.
This caused a dispute over the succession to muhammed which led to the battle of siffin. The schism that led muslims to split into two main denominations, sunni and shia, dates from the 7th century it is almost as old as the religion itself. Muslims in five countries with substantial numbers of both shias and sunnis afghanistan. Therefore, it is crucial that social studies educators teach not only the core beliefs, rituals, and history of islam but the differences between sunni and shiite muslims. Although the origins of the sunnishia split were violent, over the centuries shia and sunnis lived peacefully together for long periods of time. Is the sunnishia split in islam comparable in any way to. Even as muhammad lay dying, the battle over who would take control of the new islamic nation had begun, beginning a succession crisis marked by power grabs, assassination, political. Time period 656 to 661 ce conflict type religious underlying causes resentments began to build over how the booty from the conquests should be divided among the tribal groups that made up the islamic community which came from sudden successes of muslim armies and the sudden rise of the arab empire. The split occurred soon after the death of the prophet muhammad, nearly 1,400 years ago.
In light of the current fighting in iraq, which is along sectarian lines, npr is republishing the series. Sunni muslims agree with the position taken by many of the prophets companions, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. But its also an economic battle between iran and saudi arabia over who will control the strait of hormuz. Healing of the shiasunni split politicscurrent events. The history of the sunni and shia split quotes by jesse. History ali is the central figure at the origin of the shia sunni split which occurred in the decades immediately following the death of the prophet in 632. Look at each document and complete the analysis questions below. Shiasunni divide is well on its way to displacing the broader conflict between muslims and the west as the primary challenge facing the islamic societ. Why the myth of sunnishia conflict defines middle east. The history of the sunni and shia split quotes showing 14 of 4 cemetery of albaqi in medina, they utterly destroyed the tombs of the imams hasan, ali ibn husayn, muhammed ibn ali, and jafar, as well as the tomb of fatima, the daughter of muhammad.
A history of the shiite sunni split the division of islam into sunni and shiite branches goes far back in muslim history to the aftermath of the death of the prophet muhammad. Sunni and shia muslims are struggling for power while religious intolerance rises violently in egypt. The sunni shia split and conflict early events from islamic history. The history of the sunni and shia split quotes by jesse harasta. Included in this product is a lesson plan that allows you to differ. Click split pdf, wait for the process to finish and download. The epic story of the shiasunni split in islam imam ali shrine in najaf. Islams 1,400yearold divide explained 14 pilgrimage to the saudi arabian city of mecca is one of many rituals that are shared by both sunni and shia muslims. Sep 06, 20 sunnishia split the mideasts new great divide. The sunnishia divide into the 21st century in addition to karbala, the npr podcast throughline identified three key milestones that would sharpen sunni shia divisions by the end of the 20th century. As a result, a strong argument can be made that the. Sunnishia tensions are more about politics, power and privilege than theology.
The islamic split between the sunni and shia have had profound effects on the politics of islam and the middle east. Although the origins of the sunni shia split were violent, over the centuries shia and sunnis lived peacefully together for long periods of time. The division between shia and sunni dates back to the death of the prophet muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership of the muslim nation. What caused islam to split into sunni and shia branches. But that appears to be giving way to a new period of spreading conflict in the middle east between shiites and sunnis. Shias claim that before muhammads death in 632, he appointed ali, his blood relative, to lead the community. Bbc news middle east long path to iraqs sectarian split. Iran, on the other hand, descends from the 16th century persian empire. The epic story of the shiasunni split sonoma state university.
The way that muslims are positioned throughout the world 70% sunni, and 20% shia has heavily. To the muslim times editorial team this book is a case against sectarianism and islamism and a case for human rights and modern ways of governance and women rights. Prepared by emily hawley, research associate after the death of the prophet mohammad in 632 ce, the muslim community diverged over how to select the next leader of the islamic community they had formed on. His followers disagreed over issues of succession and authority. Whatever the truth was behind these organizations, these accusations were fully used to divide the grow ing shiite opposition. Sunnishia split essay example topics and well written. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the history of the sunnis and shias like never before, in no time at all. Sep 24, 2017 the sunni shia split and conflict early events from islamic history. Sunnishia split learn with flashcards, games, and more for free.
Husayn with a small party was killed at karbala in 680. Feb 12, 2007 the shia are concentrated in iran, southern iraq and southern lebanon. On facial similarity the sunni shiite split in islam is comparable to the protestantcatholic split in christianity to the extent that there was one religion and after a theological disagreement, there were two religions. In september 1996 more than 200 people were killed when a gun battle between teenage shia and sunni escalated into a communal war that lasted five days. The term shia or shiite derives from a shortening of shiat ali or partisans of ali. This knowledge is vital if americans are to make prudent decisions regarding support for specific foreign policy positions and decisions regarding islam and muslim countries. Based on overwhelming historical facts, the split of the muslim community into shia and sunni occurred immediately. This video is part of the council on foreign relations infoguide presentation, the sunnishia divide. Back in 2007, npr reported on the shiitesunni split that was contributing to conflicts in many parts of the muslim world, including iraq.
The sunni divide foreign policy research institute. This week sunni and shia muslims ushered in the islamic new year and the beginning of the holy month of muharram. After the prophets death in 632 ce, different views emerged about who should succeed him as. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Even assuming there are hidden hands behind this anarchy, the carnage is historic in its magnitude and can only result in the death of a nation. The sample essay on sunni and shiite split deals with a framework of researchbased facts, approaches and arguments concerning this theme.
Choose to extract every page into a pdf or select pages to extract. The book is divided into two parts, the first covering the history of the sunni shii split from the death of the prophet mohammad in 632 up to the modern era. For the latter, select the pages you wish to extract. Over the last decade at least, the socalled sunnishia divide has been a defining characteristic of the middle east for pundits and other nonexpert observers of. The split between the two main branches of islam is nearly 1,400 years old, and started with a fight over who should lead the faithful after the prophet muhammads death in 632. The sunni arabs were considered to reap this is because the split is between two organized islam groups who differ in several elements of their ethnoreligious elements1. Feb 12, 2007 the division between islams shiite minority and the sunni majority is deepening across the middle east. Lingering shiite resentment and sunni fears associated with this shift have helped transform local and individual political or economic disputes into broader sectarian confrontations in.
Why did shia and sunni split after the prophet mohammeds death and who is to be blamed for the split. Research indicates that most american citizens know little about islam and, specifically, the major differences between sunni muslims and shiite muslims and why this matters to the united states. The split between the two major branches of islam sunni and shia had its genesis in the homicide of muhammad. All sunni muslims believe they are required to pray five times a day, but shias can condense those into three. Sectarian conflict is becoming entrenched in a growing number of muslim countries and is threatening to fracture iraq and syria. The succession to muhammad is the central issue that split the muslim community into several divisions in the first century of islamic history, the most prominent among these sects being the shia and sunni branches of islam. Our website is a unique platform where students can share their papers in a matter of giving an example of the work to be done. In some countries, sectarian conflicts are more likely to occur between different. Sunnis are the majority sect in the muslim world, but shias today form as much as 60% of iraqs population, whereas sunnis make up 37%, split between ethnic arabs and kurds. The differences between sunni and shia islam are political in origin, and remain so to this day. On facial similarity the sunnishiite split in islam is comparable to the protestantcatholic split in christianity to the extent that there was one religion and after a theological disagreement, there were two religions.
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