the Spread of Islam in the Middle East
The conflict between Shiites and Sunnis goes back to the death of Muhammad, when the two groups split based on a disagrement on who should succeed the prophet. Those who believed his successor should be one of his closest advisors became known as Sunnis. Those who thought that his closest relative should lead the Muslim empire became known as Shiites. Differences between the two groups were alleviated 24 years after Muhammad's death, when the fourth Caliph (ruler) was accepted by both groups of Muslims, being a close advisor in addition to being Muhammad's cousin. However, the violence erupted once again when he was assassinated five years later. Believing Sunnis responsible for the Caliph's death, his son led the Shiites to war against the Sunnis, a conflict which ended 19 years later, in 680 AD when his army defeated and he was beheaded.
It is commonly recorded that Shia Arab Muslims account for around 60% of the Muslim population, while Sunnis represent about 37%. The smaller Sunni population is further split between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen. Many Sunnis also fiercely dispute their minority status, and many believe Shia majority is "a myth spread by America". Already there is conflict and dispute between the two groups concerning who has more support. In Iraq the government was usually Sunni until the 2003 Iraq War. The British colonial rule ended after the Sunni and Shia united against it. The Shia group suffered from persecution during post-colonial Iraqi governments since 1932, erupting into full-scale rebellions in 1935, as well as under Saddam Hussein. The Shias revolted against Saddam, following Gulf War in 1991 and encouraged his overthrow.
It is commonly recorded that Shia Arab Muslims account for around 60% of the Muslim population, while Sunnis represent about 37%. The smaller Sunni population is further split between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen. Many Sunnis also fiercely dispute their minority status, and many believe Shia majority is "a myth spread by America". Already there is conflict and dispute between the two groups concerning who has more support. In Iraq the government was usually Sunni until the 2003 Iraq War. The British colonial rule ended after the Sunni and Shia united against it. The Shia group suffered from persecution during post-colonial Iraqi governments since 1932, erupting into full-scale rebellions in 1935, as well as under Saddam Hussein. The Shias revolted against Saddam, following Gulf War in 1991 and encouraged his overthrow.