The Shia Islam

The Shia represents the second largest piece of Islam after Sunni Islam and is approximately fifteen to twenty-five percent of Muslims worldwide. Adherent of the Shia Islam are the Shi’ites or Shias. The Shia consists of one major way of thinking known as the Jafaryia or the “Twelvers,” and a few minor ways of thinking (Syed). These names all refer to the number of religious leaders they recognize after the death of Muhammad. The term Shia is usually meant to be synonymous with the Jafaryia/Twelvers.

The Shia has many distinctive rituals and practices. The principle rituals are referred to in the five Islam pillars. The most characteristic of Shia rituals take place during the first ten days of the month Muharram, which is the first on the Islamic lunar calendar and finish on the tenth day (Akasoy). On the tenth day the Shia show more than a law or familiar practice, Shia show great passion spiritually. Shia will fill all the streets and villages to show their identity and devotion. The first evidence for this ritual dates back to the Buyid era in the tenth and eleventh centuries. Depending on the community, the rituals take place in private houses, courtyards of mosques, community or special Muharram centers, in markets, and on the streets (Akasoy). The rituals take the forms of more or less formal lamentation sessions, where the events of Karbala are recalled, elegies are recited for the martyrs, and taziyah and processions are performed. During the collective lamentations a zakir recites stories and poems. Texts are often local traditions and authors are collective.

Shia Muslims are concentrated in Iran, southern Iraq, and southern Lebanon, and Bahrain. Most countries with mainly Muslim populations belong to the Islamic Confer...

... middle of paper ...

...are not violent but if attacked by a group, they will attack back.

Works Cited

Syed, Akramulla. "Shia Belief, Shia Islam, Shia Muslim, Twelver Shiism, Ithna Ashari, Shiite, Shias, Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace Be upon Him), Imam Ali, Ahlul Bayt." Shia Belief, Shia Islam, Shia Muslim, Twelver Shiism, Ithna Ashari, Shiite, Shias, Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace Be upon Him), Imam Ali, Ahlul Bayt. N.p., 5 June 2007. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.

Akasoy, Anna. "Library." Shi'a Islam Origins, Shi'a Islam History, Shi'a Islam Beliefs. Avalon Consulting, 2008. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.

Hooker, Richard. "Islam: Shi'a Sect." Shi'a Islam. N.p., 2013. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.

"Shi'a Islam." Shia Islam. N.p., 8 Dec. 2007. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.

Pevehouse, Jon C. "International Conflict." International Relations. By Joshua S. Goldstein. 10th ed. N.p.: Pearson Education, 2014. 153-88. Print.