Sectarianism Between Sunnis and Shiites

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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