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Compare the Shi'ite and Sunni factions of Islam
Short parageaph on sectarianism
Compare the Shi'ite and Sunni factions of Islam
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Sectarianism Between Sunnis and Shiites
What is sectarianism? Is sectarianism really a bad thing? Why sectarianism cannot be considered as an opinion? Who benefit from it? Is sectarianism a psychological disorder? I keep asking myself these questions frequently. These are very simple questions, but hard to answer. I do believe in Involving in any discussion, even if the discussed ideas are about the worst and harmful ideas in the world. So, if discussions happen between racism people and non-racism people would it help? However, I read Ballad of Birmingham, and I think that is happening between Muslims right now.
I defined sectarianism as racism but in religion. Muslims have experiences in sectarianism, and I’m one of them. I want to speak specifically about Shiites and Sunnis sectarianism. According to Blanchard, Sunnis are the majority of Muslims, and Shiites represent about ten to fifteen percent on Muslims. Shiites majority lives in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan. There are also some Shiites lives in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syria, and Yemen (Blanchard). However, since Sunnis are majority, so they live allover Muslim world.
The division between Muslims started when Prophet Mohammed died (632 AD). Then the problems started, who will be next caliph, caliph refer to ruler. Shiites believes that Ali ibn Abi Talab—is the prophet cousin—should be caliph after the prophet, and the prophet named Ali as next caliph (Hazleton). But Abu Bakr—friend of prophet Mohammed—was chosen to be caliph. Shiites claim that Abu Bakr stole the caliphate from Ali ibn Abi Talab. However, the problem became bigger when Ali ibn Abi Talab became caliph, after three caliphs Abu Bakr, Omar, and Uthman (those are prophet ...
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Islam culture in a way that was not seen in JudeoChristian ones. ( Murray 91). The
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.
It is a preconceived notion that the conflict was fueled by religious tensions between the Christian and Muslim faiths. In reality
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An example of sectarian opposition could be between the Sunni group and the Alawite group. The Sunnis were opposed to the Alawite Regime. "This dynamic has given rise to a grim, self-perpetuating cycle of sectarian violence with civilians increasingly suffering on both sides." (Document B) Both groups blamed one another causing tension. The Sunnis were not the only group to challenge the Alawites, citizens resented them as well. "Scores of shops owned by Sunnis were burned and vandalized." (Document C) The Alawites were hated so much that their things were
Throughout his life, the Prophet Muhammad proved to be exceptionally adept at uniting diverse groups, negotiating a series of alliances and loyalty arrangements that spanned religious, tribal, ethnic, and familial lines (Berggren 2009). Among other things, this ability enabled Muhammad to forge a shared identity and found a nascent Islamic state from a diverse and even heterogeneous community (Rahman 1982; Ernst 2003, pp. 87-93). This diversity proved to be both a source of strength and conflict for Islam, and following the death of Muhammad early Islamic communities engaged in extensive debates not only about the nature of his teachings or how to carry his legacy forward, but also about the terms that should be used to define his authority. Although this debate produced a colorful array of movements within the tapestry of early Islamic civilization, this essay offers a critical examination of two particularly distinct perspectives on the nature of prophetic authority: namely, those articulated
The division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation. Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. This is what was done, and the Prophet Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, bec...
Robinson, B.A. (2002, October 14). Islam: Is it a religion of violence or of peace.
G. Esposito, John L (2002) Islam; What Everyone Should Know. New York. Oxford University Press Inc.
Samad, Omar. "Ethnic Politics: A dangerous Fault Line." Afghan Analytica (2013): n.pag. Web. 18 Nov 2013.