Download Sunni vs Shia – Kacie

STANDARD # SS7G8
STANDARD: EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR THE DIVISION BETWEEN SUNNI AND
SHIA MUSLIMS.
After Prophet Muhammad’s death in 7th century-confusion about who leader of
Islam should be
Shias thought Ali, Muhammad’s son should take control
Sunnis thought caliph(leader chosen by community) should take over
3 leaders chosen, Ali was not one
Rivalry between two groups
Sunnis killed Ali’s son
Sunni population became huge
Shias are repressed by the masses of Sunnis
Saddam Hussein killed many Shias leaders in ’79 in fear of angry Shias
Iran War(1980) started to keep Shias influences out of Iran
Arabic word for party of Ali(Shiat)
2nd largest branch of Islam (10-15%)
Most are 12 Imam
(populations in Iran Iraq Lebanon Saudi
Arabia Bahrain India Pakistan)
Zaydis (pop. In Yemen)
Ismalis (pop. In India Yemen Syria)
Arabic word for tradition
90% Muslim pop.
Spread from Indonesia, to Africa, to
central Asia
Shias are divided about their position on U.S involvement in Iraq
Many religious groups want power in the new government
Radicals call for holy way to make “occupying forces” leave
Sunnis also want their input on new government
Sunnis and Shias won’t cooperate so it is hard to make government
Mosques are being bombed by opposing religions
Kurds are also targeted in North Iraq because they got rid of Saddam
SUNNIS AND SHIAS JUST CAN’T AGREE ON THE WAR IN IRAQ:
Idea
Sunni
Right
Wrong
Liberated Iraq
Humiliated Iraq
24%
63
21
66
Acceptable
Unacceptable
Coalition Should
Leave Now
36%
57
29
Shias
U.S Led Invasions
51%
35
43
37
Attacks on Coalition Forces
12%
85
12
35%
35
15
Preferred Political System
40%
23
26
Democracy
Strong Life Leader
Islamic State
Kurds
87%
9
82
11
2%
96
2
70%
6
8
Bibliography
Langer, Gary. “Same Country Different Views.” Vivisimo. 2005. 4/25/05.
<http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/worldnewstonight/iraq_poll_040317.htm
l? wntad=true.>
“How Did Islam’s Sunni – Shiite Rift Happen?” vivisimo.2005.4/2/05,4/26/05. <
http://www.kansas.com/mld/eagle/news/nation/11291086.htm?template=conten
tmodules.>
Anonymous. “Don’t Know Much about Islam?”elibrary.8/1/03. 4/26/05.<
http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/libweb/elib/document?set=search>
“Sunni Vs. Shiite.” 4/26/05. < www.hellblazer.com/mt/mhb.cgi/375 >