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Sunni-Shia sectarianism at root of much of Middle East violence Sunni-Shia sectarianism at root of much of Middle East violence
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More than 85% of the world’s 1.5bn Muslims are Sunni, and the rest are Shia. The two denominations share many of the same fundamental beliefs and practices, and in many places their followers have quietly co-existed for centuries. Outright sectarian conflict has been rare, but over recent decades tensions have risen, and sectarianism is at the root of much of the present-day violence in the Middle East. More than 85% of the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims are Sunni, and the rest are Shia. The two denominations share many of the same fundamental beliefs and practices, and in many places their followers have quietly co-existed for centuries. Outright sectarian conflict has been rare, but over recent decades tensions have risen, and sectarianism is at the root of much of the present-day violence in the Middle East.
The schism goes back to the death of the prophet Muhammad in 632AD, and a disagreement over who should succeed him. Some Muslims believed that his successor should be chosen; others wanted a continuation of Muhammad’s bloodline.The schism goes back to the death of the prophet Muhammad in 632AD, and a disagreement over who should succeed him. Some Muslims believed that his successor should be chosen; others wanted a continuation of Muhammad’s bloodline.
The majority of Muhammad’s followers backed Abu Bakr, a friend of the prophet, to inherit his office. They became known as Sunnis. A smaller number insisted the prophet had anointed his cousin, Ali. They became known as Shia. The majority of Muhammad’s followers backed Abu Bakr, a friend of the prophet, to inherit his office. They became known as Sunnis. A smaller number insisted the prophet had anointed his cousin Ali. They became known as Shia.
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The Sunnis prevailed, although Ali briefly ruled as the fourth caliph after Abu Bakr and his successors died. But the Muslim split deepened when Ali’s son Hussein was killed in 680 by soldiers of the ruling Sunni caliph. His death is commemorated by Shia Muslims as a day of ritualistic mourning known as Ashura.The Sunnis prevailed, although Ali briefly ruled as the fourth caliph after Abu Bakr and his successors died. But the Muslim split deepened when Ali’s son Hussein was killed in 680 by soldiers of the ruling Sunni caliph. His death is commemorated by Shia Muslims as a day of ritualistic mourning known as Ashura.
Both groups agree that Allah is the one true God, and Muhammad his messenger. Both follow the Qur’an as the holy book and the five pillars of Islam, such as fasting during Ramadan.Both groups agree that Allah is the one true God, and Muhammad his messenger. Both follow the Qur’an as the holy book and the five pillars of Islam, such as fasting during Ramadan.
Tensions between Sunnis and Shias deepened following the revolution in Iran in 1979, when Shia clerics took control of the country, offering support and giving hope to Shia populations in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.Tensions between Sunnis and Shias deepened following the revolution in Iran in 1979, when Shia clerics took control of the country, offering support and giving hope to Shia populations in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.
Saddam Hussein, a Sunni who ruled over a Shia majority in Iraq, invaded Iran the following year in a regional and sectarian power struggle. The ensuing war lasted nearly eight years and, by some estimates, cost more than a million lives.Saddam Hussein, a Sunni who ruled over a Shia majority in Iraq, invaded Iran the following year in a regional and sectarian power struggle. The ensuing war lasted nearly eight years and, by some estimates, cost more than a million lives.
The Arab spring uprisings that began five years ago have further heightened Sunni-Shia tensions, and led Sunni regimes such as Saudi Arabia’s to crack down on what they see as Iran’s attempts to promote its radical Shia agenda.The Arab spring uprisings that began five years ago have further heightened Sunni-Shia tensions, and led Sunni regimes such as Saudi Arabia’s to crack down on what they see as Iran’s attempts to promote its radical Shia agenda.
In countries with Sunni governments, Shia Muslims tend to be among the poorest sections of society and often see themselves as discriminated against. In countries with Sunni governments, Shia Muslims tend to be among the poorest sections of society and often see themselves as the target of discrimination.