*I found the article interesting and will validate with The Quran. The article is the opinion of the writer. Opinions are just that, an opinion. I’m not a hater declaring a Religion is bad. Have an open mind, it’s a diverse world and we have to adapt. My opinion is terrorist misuse passages in the Quran, a Holy Book as a front for their cause not for Allah. * M
The article
Tensions in the Muslim world have risen even further in the wake of a mass execution of 47 men by the Saudi Arabian government, among whom was a prominent Shiite cleric named Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Saudi Arabia is a monarchy led by a Sunni Muslim family, while nearby power Iran is a theocracy led by Shiite Muslim clerics.
In news coverage from the region we often hear of tensions between Sunni and Shia Islam, but find that few people in the Western world have been truly exposed to the differences between these two interpretations of one of Earth’s most influential faiths. What is the difference between Sunni and Shia
Islam Around the World
For starters, most Muslims (more than 85 percent of them) practice Sunni Islam. These form the majority of the population in most “Muslim” nations (the two most notable outliers from this trend are Iraq and Iran, where Shiites form the majority).
Because these two sects must account for nearly 1.5 billion individuals around the world, it is also important to note that the spectrum of ideas within Sunni and Shia Islam is incredibly wide. There are more fundamentalist and more secular individuals in either group. Some people have argued that the differences between these two groups is analog to the difference between Catholic and Protestant Christians – among which you see a similar ideological spectrum.
History of the Sunni/Shia Split
The initial split between the two groups actually took place nearly 1,400 years ago, when the prophet Mohammed died. The sect that would become Sunni Islam argued that Mohammed’s best friend, Abu Bakr, should succeed him as the next leader of Islam. Those who would come to form the Shia sect of Islam believed that Mohammad’s son-in-law, Ali, should succeed him.
The Sunnis would eventually win that debate, but the rift never really closed (Sunni troops would later kill Ali, an event commemorated annually by Shiites). Tensions have remained high between the two groups – one Pew Research poll revealed that 4 out of 10 Sunnis don’t believe that Shiites are ‘real Muslims’.
What is the Difference Between Sunni and Shia Islam?
Both Sunni and Shia Islam share most of the core values of Islam and largely believe in maintaining similar practices. The rift between the two, at least from an outside perspective, definitely appears to be more historical/political (much of the political upheaval that has taken place in the Middle East over the last ~30 years can at least partially be attributed to Shia/Sunni conflict) than it does theological.
What’s Next for Islam?
Especially in the wake of the recent uproar in Iran, it appears unlikely that tensions between the two factions will ease anytime soon. At this point, unfortunately, it appears as though the religious conflicts we’ve seen around the world (particularly over the last year) will only increase in quantity and severity.
We want to know what you think: How can we close rifts and built peace?
*Comment Left for the Writer*
All the information that I have received over the years on Islam has led me to develop a zero tolerance for Islam. Mostly provoked by the jihad they have waged on Western culture.
The beheading of Christians and the current hostile take over of our culture and religion has put me on guard. While it is nice to know the difference between the Sunni’s and the Shi’ites it is immaterial as long as the jihad and threat to me and my family exists.
Just the fact that we 47 terrorist training camps in the United States is enough to keep us all in guard. The Federal government checks into everything else that poses a threat and have allowed these camps to exist. As long as the jihad exists and the government remains complacent I will have zero tolerance for Islam.
Xx M
Looking for the Light 