Shiite Sunni Schism Essay

ABSTRACT

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.

The fundamental point of contention between Shias and Sunnis is who should have succeeded Mohammad after his death. Sunnis believe that the choice of Abu Bakr as the first caliph was correct, whereas Shias believe that Mohammad’s son-in-law Ali should have been chosen. Subsequent differences in religious practice and metaphysical theology arose out of this division. However, the contemporary Shiite-Sunni split is more than a minor theological dispute. Since the 1970s, the schism has manifested in open conflict between Shia and Sunni groups in Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Lebanon and Bahrain. The Shiite-Sunni schism has deepened in the last forty years because it has become central to

She then analyses three theoretical explanations of the resurgence of sectarianism: constructivism, neoconservatism and neorealism. The constructivist approach argues that transnational ethnic and religious identities have strengthened, but overestimates the homogeneity of both Shia and Sunni identities. The neoconservative approach attributes increased sectarianism to a ‘Shia revival’ orchestrated by Iran, but exaggerates Iran’s economic and ideological capabilities. The neorealist approach treats the Shiite-Sunni conflict as a product of a geopolitical struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia, but undervalues identity politics. Luomi’s work is particularly valuable as it explains why the Shiite-Sunni split has changed since the 1970s. However, Luomi’s approach gives little thought to the longer historical divisions or sectarianism outside the Middle East, and hence must be supplemented with other