Over the last decade at least, the socalled sunnishia divide has been a defining characteristic of the middle east for pundits and other nonexpert observers of. The following is a list of suggested reading about the shiitesunni conflict. Sectarian conflict is becoming entrenched in a growing number of muslim countries and is threatening to fracture iraq and syria. How does the sunnishiite split affect todays world. About after the prophet in this gripping narrative history, lesley hazleton tells the tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between the sunni and shia branches of islam, a rift that dominates the news now more than ever. Its a complex topic, but ill try my best to give you a quick overview of it. Shia, however, believe the caliphate should be descended through muhammeds family. An example of an early shiasunni fitna shootout occurred in kurram, one of the tribal agencies of the northwest pakistan, where the pushtun population was split between sunnis and shia.
Perplexing and deadly international intercultural conflict. Sunni and shia muslims are struggling for power while religious intolerance rises violently in egypt. A history of the shiitesunni split the division of islam into sunni and shiite branches goes far back in muslim history to the aftermath of the death of the prophet muhammad. The split between the two main branches of islam is nearly 1,400 years old, and started with a fight over who should lead the faithful after the prophet muhammads death in 632. Although the two major islamic factions share many common core beliefs and practices, there are some significant religious and political differences dating back to the disagreement over the succession. In september 1996 more than 200 people were killed when a gun battle between teenage shia and sunni escalated into a communal war that lasted five days. Sunni and shia islam whats the origin of the split. Shias claim that before muhammads death in 632, he appointed ali, his blood relative, to lead the community. The sample essay on sunni and shiite split deals with a framework of researchbased facts, approaches and arguments concerning this theme. Why the myth of sunnishia conflict defines middle east. The sunni shia split and conflict early events from islamic.
Why did shia and sunni split after the prophet mohammeds. Be able to relate the shi asunni split with issue in the contemporary middle east. Europe, belgium and the sunnishia opposition within the middle east. The difference between sunni and shia religious orders of islam are non to the mammoth proportions as most western literature assume. Therefore, it is crucial that social studies educators teach not only the core beliefs, rituals, and history of islam but the differences between sunni and shiite muslims. The origins of the shiite sunni split editors note. Included in this product is a lesson plan that allows you to differ. Prophet muhammad died in the evening of june 8, 632 a.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. After the death of the prophet, abu bakr became the leader of the umma the caliph. Shiasunni divide is well on its way to displacing the broader conflict between muslims and the west as the. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the history of the sunnis and shias like never before, in no time at all. Why did shia and sunni split after the prophet mohammeds death and who is to be blamed for the split. As a result, a strong argument can be made that the. How conflicts within islam will shape the future, by vali nasr, w. Opposite of isis is the iranian shia regime which aspires to obtain nuclear.
To see the essays introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion, read on. For shias, the month also is a time to mourn the events that sparked the centuriesold schism between shia and sunni muslims. Shia islam holds that ali ibn abi talib was the appointed successor to the islamic prophet muhammad as head of the community. After the death of prophet muhammad sallalahu alaihi wassalam, muslims came under the rule of a caliphate system and stayed united under the initial four caliphs for a period of about 30 years. The sunni and shia split because after the death of muhammed, muslims couldnt agree on who should lead islam the sunni branch accepted abu bakr because he was agreed to be the best candidate to be caliph. Sunnishia split essay example topics and well written. May 07, 2017 over the last decade at least, the socalled sunni shia divide has been a defining characteristic of the middle east for pundits and other nonexpert observers of the region. The split essentially occurred due to disputes over who was the rightful successor to the prophet. Using your online textbook, page 271 answer the following questions. There is no doubt that both shiites and sunnis are muslims and muslims have to follow quran and prophet mohammadp. Split in sunnis who backed up the umayyad and the shia who backed up with ali. Any discussion featuring the middle east and any analysis of politics in the region inevitably touches on the sectarian state of islam and the long standing conflict between sunni and shia believers. The sunnishiite islam split stations reading by reading history.
In this gripping narrative history, lesley hazleton tells the tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between the sunni and shia branches of islam, a rift that dominates the news now more than ever. Sep 24, 2017 the sunni shia split and conflict early events from islamic history. This week sunni and shia muslims ushered in the islamic new year and the beginning of the holy month of muharram. The split between the sunnis and shia can be traced back to the death of the prophet muhammad, and the dilemma of the successor of muhammad as the leader of the muslim nation. Sunnishia distribution map write one generalization about the information the map is providing. Sunni muslims supported abu bakr as the first caliph of the muslim faith the first group of shia were a small group who opposed bakr and wanted a man named ali to take control the sunni shiite split. The sunnishia split is complicated by the nationalistic schism among middle east countries. Based on overwhelming historical facts, the split of the muslim community into shia and sunni occurred immediately. Our website is a unique platform where students can share their papers in a matter of giving an example of the work to be done. The origins of the sunnishia split in islam by hussein abdulwaheed amin, editor of introduction the shia shahadah declaration of faith states. Tensions between sunnis and shias, exploited by regional rivals. Feb 28, 2007 the sunni and shia split because after the death of muhammed, muslims couldnt agree on who should lead islam the sunni branch accepted abu bakr because he was agreed to be the best candidate to be caliph. Nov 02, 2011 the split essentially occurred due to disputes over who was the rightful successor to the prophet. The way that muslims are positioned throughout the world 70% sunni, and 20% shia has heavily.
This reading looks at the history of the split, as well as the characteristics of sunni and shiite denominations. Time period 656 to 661 ce conflict type religious underlying causes resentments began to build over how the booty from the conquests should be divided among the tribal groups that made up the islamic community which came from sudden successes of muslim armies and the sudden rise of the arab empire. If you find papers matching your topic, you may use them only as an example of work. In the 1920 mandate of iraq, the british worked to check the shia majoritys power by keeping sunni arabs in senior positions in government and the. The sunnishiite islam split stations reading by reading. The epic story of the shiasunni split in islam imam ali shrine in najaf. History ali is the central figure at the origin of the shia sunni split which occurred in the decades immediately following the death of the prophet in 632.
Being played out through proxy wars saudi arabia sunni is bombing the houthi rebels in yemen shia who are being supported by iran. The differences between sunni and shia islam are political in origin, and remain so to this day. Jun 30, 2014 the origins of shia anglicized shiite and sunni islam begins with the question of who should lead the muslim community. The history of the sunni and shia split traces the origins of the split and the historic effects of the main divide within islam. The ascendancy of iraqs sunni community began under the sunni ottoman turks, whose empire ruled the middle east for nearly 400 years. Sunni islam and shiism only assumed their current forms in the ninth century, after the collection of the prophets sayings hadith and the end of the line of shia imams. Ottoman defeat in world war i did not end sunni dominance.
Research indicates that most american citizens know little about islam and, specifically, the major differences between sunni muslims and shiite muslims and why this matters to the united states. The following discussion questions, essay questions, and inclass activities are designed. This knowledge is vital if americans are to make prudent decisions regarding support for specific foreign policy positions and decisions regarding islam and muslim countries. The sunni divide foreign policy research institute. The sunni shia split and conflict early events from islamic history. Bbc news middle east long path to iraqs sectarian split. Even as muhammad lay dying, the battle over who would take control of the new islamic nation had begun, beginning a succession crisis marked by power grabs, assassination, political. The report also relates sunni and shiite religious beliefs to discussions of terrorism and sectarian violence that may be of interest during the 111th. This is because the split is between two organized islam groups who differ in several elements of their ethnoreligious elements1. Feb 12, 2007 the division between islams shiite minority and the sunni majority is deepening across the middle east.
The epic story of the shiasunni split 2009 lesley hazelton prologue. List the 3 reasons why there became a division in the muslim community. The succession to muhammad is the central issue that split the muslim community into several divisions in the first century of islamic history, the most prominent among these sects being the shia and sunni branches of islam. Iran, on the other hand, descends from the 16th century persian empire. Sunni muslims supported abu bakr as the first caliph of the muslim faith the first group of shia were a small group who opposed bakr and wanted a man named ali to take control the sunnishiite split. The split occurred soon after the death of the prophet muhammad, nearly 1,400 years ago. To the muslim times editorial team this book is a case against sectarianism and islamism and a case for human rights and modern ways of governance and women rights. There were nine explosions in all, 30 minutes of car bombs, suicide bombs, grenades, and mortar fire.
The history of the sunni and shia split quotes by jesse harasta. Look at each document and complete the analysis questions below. The history of the sunni and shia split quotes showing 14 of 4 cemetery of albaqi in medina, they utterly destroyed the tombs of the imams hasan, ali ibn husayn, muhammed ibn ali, and jafar, as well as the tomb of fatima, the daughter of muhammad. This video is part of the council on foreign relations infoguide presentation, the sunnishia divide. The islamic split between the sunni and shia have had profound effects on the politics of islam and the middle east. What are some causes and effects of the shiasunni split. The term shia or shiite derives from a shortening of shiat ali or partisans of ali. Sunnishia split the mideasts new great divide the star. Back in 2007, npr reported on the shiite sunni split that was contributing to conflicts in many parts of the muslim world, including iraq. Journalist lesley hazleton describes, in this book, the origins of the shia sunni split in islam a rift that began when the prophet muhammad died without sons and without naming a successor.
Shia islam holds that ali ibn abi talib was the appointed successor to the islamic prophet muhammad as head. Back in 2007, npr reported on the shiitesunni split that was contributing to conflicts in many parts of the muslim world, including iraq. It is an indispensable guide to the depth and power of the shiasunni split. Mar 18, 2020 the sunnishia split is complicated by the nationalistic schism among middle east countries. The book does an excellent job of going into the history of both groups and exactly what led to the split. Husayn with a small party was killed at karbala in 680. The origins of shia anglicized shiite and sunni islam begins with the question of who should lead the muslim community. Arabs descend from the ottoman empire, which existed from the 15th through the 20th century. The book is well narrated, good for basic knowledge of shia sunni split, but dont take every line of the book as a final word, for every incident there are numerous interpretations, so try to read more, but one can start from this. In light of the current fighting in iraq, which is along sectarian lines, npr is republishing the series. Islams 1,400yearold divide explained 14 pilgrimage to the saudi arabian city of mecca is one of many rituals that are shared by both sunni and shia muslims. What was the ultimate issue that caused the split between sunni and shia.
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