Essay about Shiite Sunni Conflict - 1853 Words

Iraq and Iran have been subjected to a civil war since the seventh century (Murphy 1). This existing problem began because of political and theological divergence, but with the help of outside forces such as Britain, Russia, and North America, it developed into a more complex crisis. Many non-Muslims believe the cause of the Shi’ite and Sunni violence originated from their religious differences. However the differences in tradition, education, law, and religious practices are a small factor in this escalating problem. The core of their faith is practically identical. Both factions believe that Muhammad, their prophet, was the messenger of Allah. They also believe that all Muslims must abide by Muhammad’s teachings as outlined in their†¦show more content†¦Ali shared the same blood as Muhammad. In their opinion, this made Ali holy. Shi’ites saw caliphs more as spiritual and temporal leaders rather than rulers. Each side had its rational notions, but since more people followed Bakr, he was appointed the next caliph. Shi’ite remained under his guidance, but felt it was an abomination. Two more leaders, Umar and Utham, followed, each appointed by Sunnis. The Shi’ite then began to act on their beliefs and some of Ali’s dedicated followers murdered Utham, bringing his reign to an abrupt end. In 656 A.D. Ali became the successor ( Sunni Shi’a 2). Many Muslims knew the cause of Utham’s death and were angry at Ali, for he had not brought Utham’s killers to justice, one of whom was Mu’awiya, who had been the governor of Damascus and cousin of Utham. When Ali was assassinated in 661 A.D., Mu’awiya felt great pleasure in his death and found his revenge in stealing Ali’s old position; there was, yet again, another Sunni leader. Mu’awiya lead the Sunni Muslims through a prosperous time, the Umayyad dynasty. This period of growth played a huge role in the power, control, and population of the Sunni Muslims while the Shi’ttes remained uninvolved. In the year 661 A.D. many converted to the Sunni ways, for they were very successful. During the Umayyad dynasty, the Shi’ite continued to follow Ali’s son, Hussain, also known as Hussayn or Hussein,Show MoreRelatedIslamic Empires Have Been Fighting For Decades995 Words   |  4 PagesPersian rival, Isma’il I, leader of th e Shi’ite Safavid state.†Ã¢â‚¬ (Sunni versus Shi’ite) â€Å"† Isma’il had entered Ottoman territory and had demanded that Ottoman subjects accept Shi’ism.†Ã¢â‚¬ (Sunni versus Shi’ite) In response to this Selim I threatens him with this letter. One thing lead to the other and eventually Isma’il I and Selim I had a war. â€Å"†Selim I won the battle of Chaldiran in 1514 and protected his territory from Shi’ite encroachment. â€Å"† (Sunni versus Shi’ite) Selim I quoted from the Quran sayingRead MoreMuslims believe the prophets of God are His messengers to human kind, they include; Adam, Noah,700 Words   |  3 Pagesthe male prayer leader in a mosque or the worshiper who leads recitation of prayer when two or more are present. In some sects he also interprets the Quran. The Grand Imam of imams is the highest authority in Sunni of Islam. The Grand Mufti is the highest official of religious law in the Sunni Muslim sect of Islam. The Muezzin is anyone who makes the call to prayer in the mosque. In large Mosque this person may be called the servant of the mosque. In small mosque the imam would also perform the callRead MoreFour Rightly Guided Caliphs Essay1230 Words   |  5 PagesEvaluate the role of the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs in the development of Islam, accounting for the emergence of the Sunni and Shiite schism Muhammads mission, like many other prophets, was to call people to the worship and submission of the one true God. After his death this mission was left to those whom followed his teachings. Those who truly followed in the Prophets foot steps were proclaimed The Rightly Guided Caliphs. They were Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali, and were the Four RightlyRead MoreContemporary Islamic Views Assisted Reproductive Technology1539 Words   |  6 Pagesijtihad issue fatwa – religious opinion of particular authority – to make their viewpoint public. Discrepancies between various fatwas give rise to different level of acceptance of ART. 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The Iran-GCC relation is not only derived from political issues but also religious and ethnic backgrounds play an important role in understanding the regional conflicts. To fully understand why the struggle between Shi’ites and Sunnis exists, then religion is not the only source, but other factors play an important part such as; historical context, the migration and exodus of Shi’ites througho ut the ArabianRead MoreDifferences Between The And The Islamic World1446 Words   |  6 Pagesmadrasas (religious schools), and Sufi shrines. Though culturally similar, each empire practiced a different flavour of Islam. No empire had a more unique flavour of Islam than the Safavids. The Safavid family were originally Sunnis, who became Sufi pirs, and later became Shi’ites. The Safavids used their unique religious interpretation to their advantage. Sufism was wildly popular in the region in which the Safavids ruled. The Safavids’ unique mix of Sufism and Shi’ism united the many hostile tribesRead MoreThe Country And Culture Of Iraq1998 Words   |  8 Pagesforeign nations and could prove vital if and when conflicts arise between those nations. In this essay I will study the Country and Culture of Iraq. I will first start with the physical imports of the area: the geographical location, terrain and climate. Then I will cover the people who make up this country: the language they speak, their ethnicities, religions, cultural norms, and their nationality. Finally I will discuss major conflicts that have shaped Iraq and disputes between theirRead MoreThe Final Step In Stopping Isis In The Middle East Is To1526 Words   |  7 Pagesstabilize the countries in which they gained their power, Iraq and Syria. By looking at what caused the destabilization in the first place will allow for a better understanding of the policies and actions that need to be put in place in order to move the conflict toward de-escalation. Transparency International explains, â€Å"when disenfranchised populations see [†¦] their governments fail to deliver services, people get angry [†¦and] turn to other bodies for protection, swellin g the ranks of insurgent or organised