Syria's population is mostly divided into two dominations: Alawites and Sunnis. Both are a part of the Islam religion but they have their differences which separates their beliefs and traditions completely. The Alawi make up about 12 percent of the population and its' teachings were brought by Al Khasibi to Syria in the second part of the tenth century. They are mostly found in the mountainous part on the Mediterranean coast in the country's west. Also, they are known to be in the central province of Homs and in the capital Damascus mixed with the Sunni's population (Manfreda, Primoz). This minority has provided Syria's rules for nearly two decades, Hafiz Al Assad from 1970 to 2000 then Bashar Al Assad, his son, took over after his father's death from 2000 until the present. As far as the Sunni Muslim, they constitute about 70 percent of the population therefore they are considered the majority of Syria. It gave them the power to develop the initial principles of nationalism along with the Christians which helped them resist the French (Kramer, Martin).
Alawites
Some Alawites' doctrines developed in A.D. are known to be derived from the Twelver or Imami branch of Shi'ite Islam and others are derived from Phoenicians but what all Alawites' doctrines share is their affinity with Christianity. Meaning, Alawi ceremonies involve bread and wine identically as a Christian ceremony where as the drinking of wine represents God in both religions. They believe Ali, the fourth caliph, is the incarnation of divinity considered Jesus-like compared to Christianity. A holy trinity is developed for this branch as well which includes: Muhammad, Ali and Salman Al Farisi, known to be a freed slave of Muhammad's. Another comparison to Christianity i...
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6. "Sunni Muslim." BluePage.org Topic Studio. Bluepage.org, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. < http://www.bluepage.org/religion/sunni-muslim.html >
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The authoritarian regimes of the Middles cycled through a pattern of anti-western policy until the globalization effects of economics and information demanded reform. As conservative Arab states try to maintain the autocracy they relied on after gaining independence, their citizens, affected by information and education expansion, challenge their resistant governments as typified by Syria’s unwillingness to capitulate. The proliferation of information and education underscored the protest movements of the Arab Spring because citizens’ contempt for their obstinate governments grew to large under economic pressures, as the current situation in Syria demonstrates.
In conclusion I would like to comment on a couple of things. First of all the Shiism makes up 10 percent and Sunnism makes up the other 90 percent of the Muslim religion. Second of all the Shiites and Sunnis both are closely related, but have many differences. The two religions are both very complicated and difficult to understand. I hope after reading this paper you have learned a little more about both.
Shuster, M. (2011, February 12). Chronology: A History of the Shia-Sunni Split. Retrieved November 15, 2013, from NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7280905
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Fildis, Ayse Tekdal. "Roots of Alawite-Suni Rivalry in Syria." Middle East Policy Council. 19.2 (2012): n. page. Web. 4 Apr. 2014.
The Syrian Crisis began almost three years ago. Since then, the killings, the bombings and the fleeing haven’t stopped. Obama’s administration was blamed for letting the Assad regime, which is an Alawite minority, tyrannize its Sunni people who are a majority, for all this time, and for allowing the radical jihadist power, a part of the opposition, to benefit from the uprising.
Hilāl, ʻAlī Al-Dīn. Islamic Resurgence in the Arab World. New York, NY: Praeger, 1982. Print.
Tatchell, Peter. "Iran's War on Sunni Muslims." Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, 16 Oct. 2008. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.
“Library." Sunni Islam Origins, Sunni Islam History, Sunni Islam Beliefs. Patheos, 26 Nov. 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. .
Based on the constructivist view, the Civil War in Syria is initiated by the identity conflict between two groups which are the Assad’s regime and the rebel. Assad’s regime originates from minority Alawite, who made up 12 percent of the Syria population and also dominates most of the position in Syria government (citation). However, this identity conflict is not on religion based as the rebel’s side consists variation of group such as Sunni sect, Free Syrian Army (FSA) and other citizens. Besides, the Assad’s regimes as well consist of other society despite of the Alwite. Based on this condition, it is clearly portray that, even though a group is made up of multiple identities, they still can pursue t...
After a wave of Arab nationalism swept through the region, the authority of the Ottoman Empire was undermined. Thus, various ethnic groups under the empire began to secede and form their own nations. Syria was one of them. In 1919, the Syrian and Arabian nationalist wanted to set up an independent nation with Fasial, who was the son of Sharif Hussein, the leader of Mecca in the Arabian Peninsula as their king. Instead, in 1920, the San Remo Conference put Syria under French control. This was later recognized by the League of Nations in 1922 where the French were given an official mandate to rule the country until it could stand on its own.
This article began by describing the different branches of Islam. The Sunni Muslims are the most common sect, followed by the Shiites. The author drew a comparison to help understand the difference between the two main sects of the faith. Sunni Muslims generally consider their relationship with their god to be personal, like that of the Protestant. Most Shiite Muslims relate more to the hierarchy of authority described by Catholics. There is a third branch,
Ethnic conflicts are well rooted in the world's history and perhaps inherent in human nature. This type of conflict is difficult to resolve as is evident in the situation in the Middle East. The ethnic conflict theory explains that it is not territory, politics, or economics that prevents the achievement of peace between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, instead, it is a deep-seated hatred of one another that neither group can overcome. The Camp David Summit in July 2000, the most recent attempt at fostering a lasting peace is a clear example of how ethnocentrism can prevents success.
3. “The Shiite-Sunni schism in Islam has largely resulted from a dispute over who should have been the true successor of Prophet Mohammad’s societal leadership.” Critically discuss.
"Syrian refugees in Lebanon still suffering." The Economist. N.p., 30 Oct 2014. Web. 20 Jan "The Refugees." New York Times 5 September 2013, n. pag. Print.