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 >
7. "History of Syria." Nationsonline.org. One World Nations Online, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. < http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/History/Syria-history.htm >
8. Kramer, Martin. "Syria’s Alawis and Shi‘ism." MartinKramer.org. Geocities, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. < http://www.geocities.com/martinkramerorg/Alawis.htm#2 >
9. "Alawi Sect." Discoveringislam.org. End Times Research Center, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. < http://www.discoveringislam.org/alawi_sect.htm >
10. Blanchard, Christopher M. "Islam: Sunnis and Shiites." Crs.org. Congressional Research Service, 28 Jan. 2009. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. < www.fas.org/irp/crs/RS21745.pdf >
Hinson, Kathy. "Book Review: 'Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes'" The Oregonian. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2013.
There is always that one person that stirs the pot in a situation that could have been solved rather quickly without them interfering. This is exactly what happened in Syria. The Syrian Civil War began when a peaceful protest when a group of teenagers who were writing anti-government graffiti on a wall. Syrian people called on their president who instead of making democratic reforms, acted in extreme violence against unarmed civilians. More than a quarter of a million people in Syria have been killed and over 10 million have been forced out of their homes. The Assad regime continues to suppress their citizens and they have begun using chemical bombs to kill thousands of Syrians and many even
Cobb, Paul. "Introduction." Ibn Munqidh, Usama. Book of Contemplation Islam and the Crusades. New York: Penguin Books, 2008. xv-xlii.
Hilāl, ʻAlī Al-Dīn. Islamic Resurgence in the Arab World. New York, NY: Praeger, 1982. Print.
The initiation of the Syrian War was heavily influenced by the (what was supposed to be a peaceful) protest. As well as the many deaths of the Syrian citizens. These conflicts helped citizens realize all the issues that were going on at the time. There were many causes for the violence that went on during the Syrian Civil War. It can be inferred that the three main aspects that fueled the violence of the Syrian War were due to foreign influence, sectarian opposition, and conflicts between opposing groups.
Jouejati, Murhaf. “Syrian Motives for Its WMD Programs and What to Do about Them.” Middle
Rippin A. 1990, Muslims, Their Religious Beliefs and Practices Volume 1: The Formative Period, Routledge, London and New York.
Sunni Islam is the largest branch of religion, they make up 80 percent of the followers of the Muslim population in the world (Patheos 2014). Believers of the Sunni faith are also known as the Sunnis but also referred as “Ahlus Sunnah wal-Jamaa'h”, “adherents to the Sunnah and the assembly” (religious facts 2004). The Sunni Muslims have a...
Maynes, Charles. "The Middle East in the Twenty-First Century." Middle East Journal 52.1 (1998): 9-16. JSTOR. Web. 6 June 2011.
The French ruled oppressively, splitting the country into regions along ethnic and religious lines in order to divide and conquer. It wasn’t until World War II did Syria gain independence. Syria was granted de jure independence in 1941. Then, in 1943, President Shukri al-Kuwatly took power. However, the last French solider did not leave until 1946.
Robinson, B.A. (2002, October 14). Islam: Is it a religion of violence or of peace.
Renard, John. Islam and Christianity: theological themes in comparative perspective. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011. Print.
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.
Dirks, Jerald. The Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam : similarities & contrasts. Beltsville, Md.: Amana Publications, 2004.
G. Esposito, John L (2002) Islam; What Everyone Should Know. New York. Oxford University Press Inc.