Download Political Cartoons Assignment

Name_______________________
Date________________________
Station #6
Sunni and Shia Political
Cartoons
1. Read the information below.
What is the difference between Sunnis and Shias?
The Sunnis and the Shias compose the two main branches of Islam, similar to
the way Christianity has two main branches (Catholicism and Protestantism).
Shias believe that Islam should be led by descendants of Muhammad, while
Sunnis believe that the leader of Islam should be appointed by election.
Sunnis make up 84 to 90 percent of the world's Muslims. The word Sunni refers
to the words and actions of Muhammad. The Sunnis try to follow Muhammad's
example of how to live as a Muslim. They believe that those elected after
Muhammad’s death had the right to rule.
After Muhammad's death, some Muslims began to believe that his daughter
Fatima and — more importantly — Fatima's husband, Ali, were the best sources
of the Quran and Islam. Ali was Muhammad’s cousin and therefore, a blood
relative. Therefore, Shia believe that Fatima and Ali should have succeeded
Muhammad. The term Shia refers to the party of Ali, and Shias believe that only
blood relatives had the right to rule after Muhammad.
Sunnis and Shias have strong disagreements. Some Shias rituals are highly
offensive to Sunnis, and Shias often fear that Sunnis will eventually require them
to follow Sunni law. The violence in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's overthrow is a
prime example of this tension. Even though Sunni Islam makes up an
overwhelming majority of the world's Muslims, in Iraq, the Shias are the
majority, but Saddam Hussein was a Sunni and when he was in power, the
Sunnis ruled. Now with a democracy in place in Iraq, the Shias have much more
political clout than Sunnis, and fear is making the Sunnis retaliate.
2. Analyze the political cartoons provided.

Select four political cartoons about the conflict between
Sunni and Shia, Syria, or Iraq. Each cartoon must have an
organizer explaining the message, people, symbols, etc.
OR

Create two of your own Sunni/Shia cartoons. Provide a
written analysis explaining the meaning of the cartoon.
3. Use this rubric as a guide.
A+ to A-
B+ to B-
C+ to C-
D
F
Political Cartoons
Demonstrates superior effort and neatness.
Organizer is accurate and demonstrates deep
understanding; 4 cartoons are analyzed or two
are drawn.
Demonstrates above average effort and
neatness. Organizer is mostly accurate and
demonstrates adequate understanding; 4
cartoons are analyzed or two are drawn.
Demonstrates average effort and neatness.
Organizer is somewhat accurate and
demonstrates some understanding; 3 cartoons
are analyzed or 1 is drawn.
Missing parts of the assignment. Sloppy
work. Little to no understanding of cartoon.
Did not follow all directions and complete
assignment.
Incomplete.