Jump to content

Historical Shia-Sunni relations: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Zereshk (talk | contribs)
22,595 edits
→Iraq: No, that was April 2006. The people u hear dying in bomb blasts everyday are now mostly Shias
m Bot: Fixing double redirect to Shia–Sunni relations
Tags: Redirect target changed Manual revert
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
#REDIRECT [[Shia–Sunni relations]]
{{NPOV}}
{{Islam}}

[[Shia]] and [[Sunni]] are the two major branches of [[Islam]]. There are differences both in beliefs and practices. (see [[Historic background of the Sunni-Shi'a split]] for their origins)

==Practical Differences Between Sunnis and Shias==

On a practical daily level, Shias have a different call to [[prayer]], they perform wudu (ablution) and salah (prayer) differently including placing the forehead onto a piece of hardened clay instead of directly onto the prayer mat when prostrating, as the majority [[Sunni]] do. However the Shias do not see this as any different from the Sunnis, since they contend that praying on a mat is permissible as long as the mat is not made of synthetic material. And since most mats and carpets nowadays are made of semi or partially synthetic material, it is always preferred that the prostration be done on a tablet of clay, as did the prophet, when he prayed on pure soil or earth.<ref>See detailed rules here: http://www.lankarani.org/eng/tal/tawdhih-al-masael/namaz12p7a.htm</ref>

They also tend to perform some prayers back to back, sometimes worshipping two times consecutively (1+2+2) instead of five times separately.
<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm |title=The Origins of the Sunni/Shia split in Islam |accessdate=2007-01-29 |publisher=IslamForToday.com}}</ref>
Shias also believe that [[Ali]] was the first Caliph and successor to Prophet Muhammad, while Sunnis believe that [[Abu Bakr]], [[Umar]], [[Uthman]] and [[Ali]] were all the four rightly guided caliphs of Islam.

The Sunnis claim to follow the Prophet's way. The Shi'as accept some different ahadith, and prefer those narrated by Ahl al Bayt-[[Ali]] and [[Fatima]], the Prophet's daughter and their descendants, to those related by other companions of the Prophet Muhammad. Because of [[Aisha]]'s opposition to Ali, those narrated by [[Aisha]] count among the least favored. A major rift still exists due to the some Shia branches, cursing the first three Caliphs as well as Aisha (RA). Some sects in [[Shia]] [[Islam]] also permits muttah - fixed-term temporary marriage - which is not acceptable within the Sunni community. Sunnis do not allow it due to the Prophet's ban of it, but according to [[Shia]] it was banned by [[Umar]].

==Abbasid era==
The [[Umayyads]] were overthrown in 750 by a new dynasty, the [[Abbasids]]. The first Abbasid caliph, As-Saffah recruited Shiite support in his campaign against the Umayyads by emphasizing his blood relationship to the Prophet's household through descent from his uncle, Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib. The Shia also believe that he promised them that the Caliphate, or at least religious authority, would be vested in the Shiite Imam. As-Saffah assumed both the temporal and religious mantle of Caliph himself. He continued the Umayyad dynastic practice of succession, and his brother [[al-Mansur]] succeeded him in 754.
The [[Ja'far al-Sadiq|sixth Shi'a Imam]] died during al-Mansur's reign, and there were claims that he was murdered on the orders of the caliph.<ref>''([[Ya'qubi]]; vol.lll, pp.91-96'', and ''[[Tarikh Abul Fida]]', vol. I, p.212.)''</ref>.

Soon, Shias claim, intolerance reached such high levels that even the founder of a [[Madhab|Sunni school of law]], [[Abu Hanifah]], was imprisoned by [[al-Mansur]] and tortured. He also had [[Ibn Hanbal]], the founder of another school of law, flogged. <ref>''([[Ya'qubi]], vol.lll, p.86; [[Ali al-Masudi|Muruj al-dhahab]], vol.lll, p.268-270.)''</ref>

Shia sources further claim that by the orders of the tenth Abassid caliph, [[al-Mutawakkil]], the tomb of the third [[Shia Imam]] [[Husayn ibn Ali]] in Karbala was completely demolished <ref>''([[Bihar al-Anwar]], vol. XII, on the life of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq)''</ref>, and Shias were sometimes beheaded in groups, buried alive, or even placed alive within the walls of government buildings still under construction.<ref>''([[Shi'a Islam (Book)|Shi'a Islam]], p62)''</ref>

The Shia believe that they thus continued to live for the most part in hiding and followed their religious life secretly without external manifestations. <ref>''([[Ya'qubi]]. vol.ll, p.224; Abu'l-Fida', vol.l, p.192; [[Ali al-Masudi|Muruj al-dhahab]], vol.lll, p.81.'', also ''[[Shi'a Islam (Book)|Shi'a Islam]], p60.)''</ref>

===Fatwas===
{{Main|Sunni fatwas on Shi'as}}

Some Muslims of the new Salafi sect that attribute themselves to Sunni Islam, although rejected by many, have been known for producing ''Fatwas'', legal edicts of [[Takfir]] or labelling other Muslims as infidels, on Shi'a with some even promoting and legalising their murder.

==The spread of Shiism in the middle ages==
The [[Buwayhid|Buyids]], who were Shi'a and had a significant influence not only in the provinces of [[Persia]] but also in the capital of the caliphate in [[Baghdad]], and even upon the caliph himself, provided a unique opportunity for the spread and diffusion of Shi'a thought. This spread of Shiism to the inner circles of the government enabled Shias to withstand those who opposed them by relying upon the power of the caliphate.

[[Oljeitu|Shah Muhammad Khudabandah]], the famous builder of [[Soltaniyeh]], was among the first of the Mongols to convert to Shi'aism, and his descendants ruled for many years in Persia and were instrumental in spreading Shia thought. <ref>(''Abu'l-Fida', vol.ll, p.63 and vol.lll, p.50'')</ref>

Mention must also be made of the kings of the Aq Qoynlu and Qara Qoynlu dynasties who ruled in [[Tabriz]] and whose domain extended to [[Fars]] and [[Kerman]], as well as of the [[Fatimid]] government which was ruling in [[Egypt]] (''al-Ka-mil of [[Ibn Athir]], Cairo, 1348; Raudat al-safa'; and Habib al-siyar of Khwand Mir'').

Shias claim that despite these advances, many Shi'as in [[Syria]] continued to be killed during this period merely for being Shi'a. One of these was [[Muhammad Ibn Makki]] called ''Shahid-i Awwal (the First Martyr)'', one of the great figures in Shi'a jurisprudence, who was killed in [[Damascus]] in 1384CE (''al-Ka-mil of [[Ibn Athir]], Cairo, 1348; Raudat al-safa'; and Habib al-siyar of Khwand Mir'').

[[Shihab al-Din Suhrawardi]] was another eminent scholar, killed in [[Aleppo]] on charges of cultivating [[Batiniyya|Batini]] teachings and philosophy (''al-Ka-mil of [[Ibn Athir]], Cairo, 1348; Raudat al-safa'; and Habib al-siyar of Khwand Mir'').

==The Sunni and Shia in modern times==
Western scholars have more recently agreed that a realistic measure of Sunni Shia numbers is 80% Sunni, 15% Shia with the remaining 5% forming other groups. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}

==Modern Shi'a-Sunni relations==
[[Image:Descrimination against the shia.jpg|thumb|right|In this letter purporting to be from the [[International Islamic University Malaysia]], the university is denying employment to a person based on what it claims to be government policy "against employing staff from a particular denomination, Shiite". [http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2001-02/10/article7.shtml Other sources] present similar accounts of discrimination in [[Malaysia]]. [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Weekend/GD23Jp01.html] ]]

===Shia statehood===
Over the centuries, the Shi'a have gained [[suzerainty]] in Iran. With the rise of the [[Safavid]] empire, the Shi'as were finally able to establish a political state in which they were ascendant.

Relations between Sufis and the Shi'a establishment are also tense. In February 2006, [[Qom]] witnessed a violent standoff between the two groups in which many Sufis were arrested <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ARA543607.htm |title=1,000 arrested after police and Sufis clash in Iran |accessdate=2007-01-29 |date=2006-02-15 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060218011430/http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ARA543607.htm |archivedate=2006-02-18 }}</ref><ref>
{{cite news |title=IranMania.com |url=http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=40547&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs |format= |work= |publisher=Iran Mania |date=2006-02-15 |accessdate=2007-01-29 }} </ref>

In addition to Iran, other Shi'a-dominated states have recently emerged however, such as [[Iraq]] when the Shi'a majority achieved political dominance in 2005.

The two communities have often remained separate, mingling regularly only during the [[Hajj]] pilgrimage in [[Mecca]]. In some countries like Iraq, Syria, and [[Bahrain]], some communities have mingled and intermarried. Shi'a claim that modern Shi'a have commonly been tolerant towards the Sunni, tolerating them even when the state religion is Shi'a, as in Iran. Shias are commonly treated harshly in countries dominated by Sunnis, especially Saudi Arabia during Hajj (pilgrimage). Any pilgrim to the holy site who shows themselves to be distinctly Shi'a, faces harassment and abuse.

===Improving relations===
Modern Shi'a and Sunni communities are becoming less confrontational. Scholars such as Hassan al-Banna, Sayyid Qutb, Allamah Mawdudi, Shaikh Muhammed Kashak, Allamah Sheikh Muhammed al Ghazali, Sheikh Muhmud Shaltut, Professor al Bahansawi, Altalmasani, Anwar al Jundi, Hassan Ayyub, Said Hawi, Fathi Yakun, Abu Zuhrah, Yusuf al Azm, Professor Rashid al Ghannachi among others have encouraged Sunni and Shi'a unity. Others have not. Yet within both sects, it has been stressed to seek unity among the faithful. Organizations such as the Shi'a Lebanese [[Hezbollah]] have been gaining respect among Sunnis and are seen as a credible resistance militia as well as a modern political party, often praised by all Lebanese sects, including Sunnis.

The renowned [[al-Azhar]] Theological school in [[Egypt]], one of the main centers of Sunni scholarship in the world, announced the [[al-Azhar Shia Fatwa]] on [[July 6]], [[1959]]:

:''"The Shi'a is a school of thought that is religiously correct to follow in worship as are other Sunni schools of thought."''

Al-Azhar later distanced itself from this position. Many Islamic groups also currently maintain this distance, regarding the Shia doctrine at best as ''fisq'' (transgression or severely deviated)<ref> [http://www.central-mosque.com/fiqh/shiamar1.htm (see query from Sunni Imam)]</ref>. Some, such as [http://www.alislam.co.za/ Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias] openly consider the Shia as "Kafir" <ref> [http://islamicweb.com/beliefs/cults/shia_creed.htm] [http://www.allaahuakbar.net/shiites/is_shia_kafir.htm (another Sunni source)]</ref>.

The Shi'a in Kuwait, [[India]] and pluralist [[Lebanon]] have achieved higher levels of tolerance and integration than in other Sunni-majority Arab countries.

==Shi'a Positions==

'''The Birth of Shiaism in Iran'''

The fall of [[Tabriz]] in 1501 before the advancing forces of [[Shah]] Isma‘il Safawi marked the beginning of a new era in Iranian history. The land of [[Persia]], whose population up to that time had been mainly Sunni, was now beginning to be transformed into a Shi‘ite homeland. Suppression of the [[Sunni]] Iranians was swift and merciless. The Sunni ‘ulama and [[Sufis]] were specifically targeted for persecution. Many preferred exile to certain death, and with the extermination and exodus of their ‘ulama the [[Ahl as-Sunnah]] in Iran lost the leadership capable of maintaining their ‘Aqidah as the dominant creed of the land. Thus the time-honoured Persian tradition of Sunni learning and spirituality that started with the likes of Ibrahim ibn Adham, ‘Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak and Abu Dawud of Sijistan, and was sustained by men like [[al-Ghazali]], ar-Razi and ‘Abd al-Qadir of Jilan, came to a horrendous end in the relentless persecution of the Safavids.

'''Divine Guidance - Ijthihad'''

While the [[Sunni]] Muslims believe that after the [[Prophet]] [[Muhammad]] the door for any new divine guidance has been closed for ever, Shia Muslims believe that guidance continued after the Prophet by 12 divinely appointed [[Imams]] who were infallible as the Prophet deemed them, they were designated by God to protect the Muslim nation to prevent them from straying from the path. Shias offer many qurranic proofs of this namely:

24:55 " Allah has promised those of you in the land who do good deeds and are righteous, that he will appoint them the inheritance of power and authority"

Shia clergy, mainly the Ayetollahs', have more room to maneuvere in interpreting the [[Qur'an]] and create new rulings that their Sunni counterparts don't have.

'''Attempted Conversions of Sunnis'''

While all devout Muslims are expected to do [[dawa]] or raise [[Islamic]] consciousness amongst people outside the fold, many [[Sunni]] accuse [[Shia]] clergy of tending to view missionary work among Sunnis to convert them to Shia Islam as a worthwhile religious endeavor.

==Salafist Position==
====House of Saud====
The [[House of Saud]] has made no secret of declaring the Shi'a as "not being Muslims"<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/03/05/reviews/000305.05lapidut.html], (''The Arab Shia, chap1'') </ref>, or "Kaafir". This is evident from the Shia minority in Saudia Arabia which has no political power or rights <ref> [http://countrystudies.us/saudi-arabia/28.htm][http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B65C3BEA-01EE-469D-96D8-B06CCE1E32F0.htm][http://www.shianews.com/hi/articles/politics/0000151.php]</ref>, and from outright edicts in which [[Salafi]] clerics have declared "Shia blood to be [[halal]], i.e. permissible to be shed."<ref>[[Vali Nasr]], July 2006. Link: http://pewforum.org/events/index.php?EventID=120</ref>

According to a report by the [[Human Rights Watch]]:

:"Shia Muslims, who constitute about eight percent of the Saudi population, faced discrimination in employment as well as limitations on religious practices. Shia jurisprudence books were banned, the traditional annual Shia mourning procession of [[Ashura]] was discouraged, and operating independent Islamic religious establishments remained illegal. At least seven Shi'a religious leaders-Abd al-Latif Muhammad Ali, Habib al-Hamid, Abd al-Latif al-Samin, Abdallah Ramadan, Sa'id al-Bahaar, Muhammad Abd al-Khidair, and Habib Hamdah Sayid Hashim al-Sadah-reportedly remained in prison for violating these restrictions."<ref>HRW Link: http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/mideast/saudi.html</ref>

And [[Amnesty International]] adds:

:"Members of the Shi‘a Muslim community (estimated at between 7 and 10 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s population of about 19 million) suffer systematic political, social, cultural as well as religious discrimination."<ref>Amnesty report. Link: http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/saudi/report.html</ref>

The arresting of Shias for holding mourning ceremonies commemorating [[Ashura]] continued as of 2006.<ref>[[Human Rights Watch]] link: http://hrw.org/englishwr2k7/docs/2007/01/11/saudia14717.htm</ref> And in December 2006, amidst escalating tensions in Iraq, 38 high ranking Saudi clerics called on Sunni Muslims around the world to "mobilise against Shiites".<ref>Link: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C12%5C12%5Cstory_12-12-2006_pg4_8</ref> In return, [[Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi]] in 2007 responded:

:"The [[Wahhabi]]s ignore the occupation of Islam's first [[Qiblah]] by [[Israel]], and instead focus on declaring [[Takfir]]ing [[fatwa]]s against Shias."<ref>Press release by [[ISNA]]: http://www.isna.ir/Main/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-865630&Lang=P</ref>

Saudi Arabia being an [[absolute monarchy]] generally recognizes no rights by law or plurality to ''any'' political participation outside the ruling family and its supporters. And being an absolute monarchy, the ruling elite have tried to portray a homogenous society in culture and religion. Since the religion of the rulers is Salafi/Wahhabi, they have tried to create a uniform Salafi society thus leaving out Shi'as from the homogenous mainstream.

On the opposite side, Iran's shiite regime, does leave only little place for Sunni people to get any important place in the administration. For instance, neither of the governors of the country has been a Sunni for a long time in [[Iran]], even in the provinces with majority of Sunni population (such as [[Kurdistan]]).

====Internet====
Many other extremist Sunnis have waged a virtual war of information on the internet against the Shi'a, with the [[Salafis]] and [[Saudi Arabia]] as the major sponsors of this movement <ref>[http://www.hrinfo.net/en/reports/2004/safe.shtml]</ref>. Examples:

*''It is the belief of all the Shias that... Allah often lies and does mistakes.<ref>[http://www.allaahuakbar.net/shiites/shia_beliefs_regarding_allah.htm allaahuakbar.net]</ref>
*'' Shi'ism and Islam are indeed different religions..<ref>[http://www.ahya.org/amm/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=73 ahya.org]</ref>
*''Shiaism and [[Islam]] are indeed different religions. This sect has developed into what we now know as the Shia whose beliefs and thoughts are repugnant beyond belief. <ref>[http://www.allaahuakbar.net/shiites/index.htm allaahuakbar.net]</ref>
*''The religious beliefs and practices of SHI'AS differentiate and segregate them from the entire Muslim Ummah...Contrary to the universal and basic teachings of monotheistic religion, Shi'ism teaches... <ref>[http://www.allaahuakbar.net/shiites/concept_of_muta.htm allaahuakbar.net]</ref>
*''The protracted contrariety between Islam and Shi'ism is but a clear reflection of fundamental differences between the two. The only common denominator between Islam and Shi'ism is the Islamic Kalimah. The rest of Shi'ism has very little in common with mainstream Islam. The unbridgeable divide between the two is entrenched in some of the core fundamentals of this sect... <ref>[http://www.alinaam.org.za/library/udivide.html alinaam.org]</ref>
*''Islam and Shi'ism are two parallel streams of thought that can never converge. They are as distinct from each other, as is Islam to the [[Ahlul-Kitaab]].To ignore these differences is to ignore the stark reality.
*''The often repeated hallowed call for "[[Muslim Unity]]" simply serves as a smokescreen, behind which Shi'a missionaries penetrate Muslim societies. Any attempt to resist this imposition is branded as "divisive". Would it be divisive to protect Islam from a sect that inherently debases the [[Qur'an]], the [[Prophets of Islam|Anbiyaa]], and the [[Sahaaba]]? <ref>[http://www.alinaam.org.za/library/udivide.html alinaam.org]</ref>

In some cases, Salafis have dedicated entire websites like [http://www.ansar.org/ ansar.org] with the single purpose of attacking the Shias. Shias have answered with sites like [http://www.answering-ansar.org/ answering-ansar.org]

====Al Qaeda====
Some Sunni groups, often labeled as extremists, such as the [[Taliban]] or [[Al Qaeda]], have even advocated the persecution of the Shi'a as heretics <ref>[http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/407AAE91-AF72-45D7-83E9-486063C0E5EA.htm]</ref> Such groups have been responsible for violent attacks and suicide bombings at Shi'a gatherings at mosques and shrines, most notably in [[Iraq]] during the [[Ashura]] mourning ceremonies where hundreds of Shias were killed in coordinated suicide bombings <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4276367.stm][http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/sep/16iraq.htm][http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050918/news_7n18iraq.html]</ref>, but also in [[Pakistan]] and [[Afghanistan]].

====Iraq====
According to most sources, including [[The CIA World Factbook]], the majority of Iraqis are [[Shi'a Islam|Shi'ite]] Arab Muslims (around 60-65%), and [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]]s represent about 32-37% of the population.<ref>CIA World Factbook. Link: [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/iz.html#People]</ref> However, Sunni are split ethnically between [[Arab]]s, [[Kurd]]s and [[Turkmen]]. Many Sunnis hotly dispute their minority status, including ex-Iraqi Ambassador Faruq Ziada <ref>"Iraqis By the Numbers" by FARUQ ZIADA [http://www.counterpunch.org/ziada12272006.html]</ref>, referring to American sources <ref> Map on the distribution of religious groups, from the Baker--Hamilton Committee report, page 102</ref>. They claim that many reports or sources only include Arab Sunnis as 'Sunni', missing out the Kurdish and Turkmen Sunnis. Some argue that the [[2003 Iraq Census]] shows that Sunnis were a slight majority<ref>"Iraq 2003 Census: Sunnis 59% , Shiites 40%" by Mohammed Alomari (faair.org) [http://cytations.blogspot.com/2006/03/iraq-2003-census-sunnis-59-shiites-40.html] </ref>. Various monarchies, and secular regimes sourced mainly, but not exclusively, from Sunni areas, controlled the government for nearly a century until the [[Iraq War|2003 Iraq War]]. The British, who, having put down a Shia rebellion against their rule in the 1920s, "confirmed their reliance on a corps of [[Sunni]] ex-[[officer (armed forces)|officers]] of the collapsed [[Ottoman empire]]". It was when the Sunni and Shia united against [[colonial]] rule that it ended<ref>''(The Arab Shia, p46)</ref>.

The Shia suffered indirect and direct persecution under independent Iraqi governments since 1932, especially that of [[Saddam Hussein]]. In 1969 when the son of Iraq's highest Shia [[Ayatollah]] [[Muhsin al-Hakim]] was arrested and allegedly tortured, during widespread persecution of Shia, ‘Abd al-‘Aziz al-Badri, a Sunni [[Islamic lawyer]] ''([[Alim]])'', leader of [[Hizb ut-Tahrir]], criticised the regime, and was killed under torture. A Sunni leader of Hizb ut-Tahrir is thus seen as the first martyr for the rights of Shia in Iraq, against the old [[Baathist]] regime [http://middleeastreference.org.uk/iraqiopposition.html]. This party has also called for [[Sunni]], [[Shia]], [[Arab]] and [[Kurd]]ish citizens to unite in Iraq.[http://www.khilafah.com/home/category.php?DocumentID=13044&TagID=1]
Shia religious leaders were particularly targeted. "Between 1970 and 1985 the [[Baathist]] regime executed at least 41 clerics" <ref>''(ibid, p101)''</ref>, and Shia opposition to the government following the [[first Gulf War]] was reportedly suppressed.

[[Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi]] has quoted [[Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab]] on various occasions in statements he made, especially the infamous statement that urged his followers to kill Shi'a of Iraq for their religious affiliation <ref>[[Al Jazeera]] article: "Al-Zarqawi declares war on Iraqi Shia", Accessed Feb 7, 2007. [http://english.aljazeera.net/news/archive/archive?ArchiveId=14984 Link]</ref>, calling the Shias "snakes".<ref>[[Daily Telegraph]] article: "Zarqawi rails against Shia 'snakes'". Accessed Feb 7, 2007. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/06/03/wirq103.xml Link]</ref>

It has been reported by [[Channel 4]]'s flagship program [[Dispatches]] that Shia "[[death squads]]", have been targetting Sunnis physically, or through intimidation. These death squads, primarily led by the government's Interior Ministry and the [[Badr Brigades]] have allegedly been forcing the mainly Sunni [[intelligensia]] to leave their posts, jobs and neighbourhoods. Shias in Iraq have traditionally been from the poorer south, the death squads have targetted educated Sunni's, to replace the posts they hold with Shias. The documentary said: <blockquote> "Over the last eighteen months these commandos - who are almost exclusively Shia Muslims - have been implicated in rounding up and killing thousands of ordinary Sunni civilians"[http://www.channel4.com/news/dispatches/article.jsp?id=301]
</blockquote>

The report also showed that many Sunnis register themselves as Shia for identification cards to avoid being targetted by the 'death squads'. These groups however are rivaled by Sunni militant organizations such as what the US state department describes as the "terrorists" [[Ansar al-Islam]]<ref>Ansar al-Islam is listed as a terrorist group by the US State Dept: [http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/68049.pdf]</ref>, as well as radical groups like [[Al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad]], [[Jeish al-Taiifa al-Mansoura]], [[Jeish Muhammad]], and [[Black Banner Organization]]. According to the report released by the [[Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism]] of the [[U.S. State Department]], Sunni groups form the largest of the terrorist organisations operating in Iraq.<ref>http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/2005/64344.htm</ref>
However according to [[George Monbiot]] in [[The Guardian]] newspaper, up until before the [[Al Askari Mosque bombing]]; <blockquote> "The media are minimising US and British war crimes in Iraq...The reporting of the Iraqi death toll - both in its scale and account of who is doing the killing - is profoundly dishonest...twice as many Iraqis - and most of them civilians - are being killed by US and UK forces" compared to those killed by insurgents."<ref>George Monbiot in The Guardian, Tuesday November 8, 2005 http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,1636606,00.html</ref> </blockquote>
After the Al-Askari Mosque bombing, relations between the Sunnis and the Shia severely declined, sparking off a wave of 'revenge' killings against Sunnis (with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Askari_Mosque_bombing#Responsibility_and_accusations alleged Sunni responsibility]), more people were killed in April of 2006 by the death squads, compared to terrorist bombings <ref>The Boston Globe, "Iraq militias' wave of death, Sectarian killings now surpass terrorist bombings" http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2006/04/02/iraq_militias_wave_of_death/ </ref> Many Sunnis and Shia have argued that this was a planned sectarian division to help continue the US occupation (see [[Al Askari Mosque bombing]])

====Pakistan====
Pakistan has seen serious Shia-Sunni discord. Almost 80% of [[Pakistan]]'s population is Sunni, with 18-20% being Shia. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan#Demographics] However, because of Pakistan's large population, the minority Shia constitute 30 million people, more than the number of Shia in Iraq. In the last two decades, "as many as 4,000 people are estimated to have died in sectarian fighting in Pakistan", 300 in 2006.<ref>"Shiite-Sunni conflict rises in Pakistan," by David Montero, February 02, 2007, http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0202/p01s02-wosc.html</ref> Amongst the culprits blamed for the killing are Al Qaeda working "with local sectarian groups" to kill what they percieve as Shi'a apostates, and "foreign powers ... trying to sow discord." <ref>"Shiite-Sunni conflict rises in Pakistan," by David Montero, February 02, 2007, http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0202/p01s02-wosc.html</ref>

====Yemen====

''See [[Human rights in Yemen]] article.''

During and after the US-led invasion of Iraq, members of the Zaidi-Shia community protestsed after Friday prayers every week outside mosques, particularly the Grand Mosque in Sana’a, during which they shouted anti-US and anti-Israeli slogans, and criticised the government's close ties to America <ref>http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE310012007?open&of=ENG-366</ref>. These protests were led by ex-parliament member and Imam, Bader Eddine al-Houthi [http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040709/2004070905.html]. In response the Yemeni government has implemented an [[Sa'dah conflict|aggressive campaign]] to crush "the Zaidi-Shia rebellion" <ref>See:
*"Yemen: Keepin' The Shi'a Down": [http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/006834.php]
*The Shia Rebellion in Yemen: [http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/pothot/articles/20060213.aspx]</ref> by using the Yemenese army<ref>[[BBC]] report: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3863463.stm]</ref> in what human rights groups claim has led to much ill-treatemnet, arrest without trial, and torture<ref>http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE310012007?open&of=ENG-366</ref>. Yemen's president in 2007 ordered the Yemenese army to extinguish all dissident forces by all means necessary<ref>Iranian source quoting a [[Bahrain]]i newspaper: [http://www.baztab.com/news/59641.php] </ref>. Many have been sentenced to death for allegedly "having Terror Links to Iran".<ref>http://www.westernresistance.com/blog/archives/001152.html</ref>. These latest measures come as the government also faces a Sunni rebellion for similar reasons to the Zaydi discontent, the Iraq war, Israel, and the government's alliegiance to the USA. <ref> Yemen Facing Insurgency on Two Fronts, By Stephen Ulph, Jamestown Foundation http://jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2369665</ref>, with Yeminis of all sects suffering at the hands of the government <ref>
Amnesty: Yemen:The Rule of Law Sidelined in the Name of Security [http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/yemen/document.do?id=F71C226B2BDDD19D80256D7B00104266]</Ref><ref>Amnesty: Ratification without implementation:the state of human rights in Yemen [http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/yemen/document.do?id=BA9AC78C2ABBD03E8025690000692CE0]</ref> even journalists <ref> Yemen: Harassment of journalists must stop [http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/yemen/document.do?id=ENGMDE310142005] </ref>. Sunnis however form the majority in Yemen, and Sunni [[Shariah]] is practiced as the legislative law of the country, as per Yemen's constitution.

==References==
<References/>

===Further reading===
*The Arab Shia: The Forgotten Muslims, by Graham E. Fuller and Rend Rahim Francke. New York: Saint Martin's Press, 1999, ISBN 0-312-23956-4
*[[Shi'a Islam (Book)|Shi'a Islam]], by [[Tabatabaei]] and [[Nasr]], [[SUNY]] Press, 1979.

==See also==
*[[Status of religious freedom in Iran]]
*[[Status of religious freedom in Saudi Arabia]]
*[[Misconceptions about the Shi'a]]
*[[Succession to Muhammad]]
*[[Historic background of the Sunni-Shi'a split]]
*[[Shiites in the Arab world]]

==External links==
*http://www.alburhan.com/
*http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/EH28Ak03.html
*http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/religion-shia-sunni.htm
*http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_151_200/are_shias_kaafirs.htm
*http://soundvision.com/info/muslims/shiasunni.asp

[[Category:Muslim history]]
[[Category:Shi'a Islam]]
[[Category:Sunni Islam]]

Latest revision as of 10:57, 7 February 2024

Redirect to:

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Historical_Shia-Sunni_relations&oldid=1204581915"