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All major religions have developed differences of opinion concerning the doctrine and religious interpretation. Several competing Islamic sects developed after the death of Mohammed. The two most important Islamic traditions are the Sunnis and Shites. This division emerged soon after the death of Mohammed. Sunni distrust of Shiites is based historically on the trachery of Ibn Alqami who was a minister to the final Abbasid caliph. Alqami conspired with the Mongol leade Hulaguwho destroyed the Abbasid caliphiate--seen by many as the golden age of Islam. Religious disputes can lead to repression and even war as was the case of Christianity, especially during the Reformation and Counter Reformation. Unlike disputes within other important religions, the disputes between Sunnis and Shites have not yet resulted in a spirit of toleration. Many Sunnis especially the radicalized groups like Al Qaeda hate the Shiites as much if not more than Jews and Americans. Sunni Islam in most countries is dominate in the Middle East. Shiites on the other hand dominate Iran and are a majority in Iraq. They are also important in the Gulf states and a 75 majority in Baharain although the country is cotrolled by Shiites. Shiites are an important minority (10-15 percent) in Saudi Arabia and as Shiites are concentrating in the eastern oilproducing areas, some Saudis see them as a security threat. (Shiites in Saudi Arabia do not have basic religious freedom. Ironically it is only in America and other Western countries that Muslims enjoy true religius freedom and the right to practice their religion freely and without fear.) AlQaeda is trying to use the tensions between Sunnis and Shiites to destablised American efforts to create a democratic regime in Iraq.
All major religions have developed differences of opinion concerning the doctrine and religious interpretation. Several competing Islamic sects developed after the death of Mohammed. The two most important Islamic traditions are the Sunnis and Shites. This division emerged soon after the death of Mohammed. Shiia Muslims believe that Mohammed's son-in-law Ali and his descendents are devinely ordained caliiphs. Ali was a cousin and married Mohammed's daughter Fatima. Ali (600?-661)and his son Hussein are considered the important pillars of Shiism. The Caliphiate was opposed by Ayesha and Muawiya. Thec Shiia believe in the hidden Imam and the Mahdi. The development of Shiism is in part related to Persian nationalism an resistance to Arab domination. Sunni distrust of Shiites is based historically on the trechery of Ibn Alqami who was a minister to the final Abbasid caliph. Alqami conspired with the Mongol leader Hulaguwho destroyed the Abbasid caliphiate--seen by many as the golden age of Islam.
The two major sects of Islam or the Sunni a Shiite sects. There are ranges of beliefs within these difference sects from believers who want to return to the "purity" of the 7th century to those who are willing to embrace the modern world. The debate between conservatives and reformers or modernists is not all together academics. Conservatives and exxtremidsts have shown a willingness to use coersion and violence to attack thereformers. There are other smaller Islamic sects. We have limited information on these other sects. We have noted quite a few mentioned in various sources. We are not sure at this time to what extent they are separate sects or subdivisions of the two major Islamic sects. Some of the sects we have seen mentioned include: Ahmaydia, An-Nusayriyyah ("Alawis"), Dawoodi Bohra, Druze, Ismailis, Kemalism, Qadianis, Salafy, Sufi, Yazidis, and Zaydis. The universe of Islam is very complicated, just as Protestantism must seem to non-Protestants (and many Protestants as well). We do not pretend to fully understand the various Islamic sects, but will archive information here as we learn more.
Religious disputes can lead to repression and even war as was the case of Christianity, especially during the Reformation and Counter Reformation. Unlike disputes within other important religions, the disputes between Sunnis and Shites have not yet resulted in a spirit of toleration. Many Sunnis especially the radicalized groups like Al Qaeda hate the Shiites as much if not more than Jews and Americans.
Sunni Islam in most countries is dominate in the Middle East. Shiites on the other hand dominate Iran and are a majority in Iraq. They are also important in the Gulf states and a 75 majority in Baharain although the country is cotrolled by Shiites. Shiites are an important minority (10-15 percent) in Saudi Arabia and as Shiites are concentrating in the eastern oilproducing areas, some Saudis see them as a security threat. (Shiites in Saudi Arabia do not have basic religious freedom).
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