Changes

Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and the establishment of the theocracy of [[Ayatollah Khomeini]], Iranian Twelver Shiite Islam became associated with Islamic fundamentalism and violent hostility to the West both politically and culturally. However it must be remembered that [[al Qaeda]] and the Taliban are entirely Sunni movements. Much of the inspiration for groups like Al-Qaeda comes from the fiercely fundamentalist Wahhabi sect, predominant in Saudi Arabia, and as hostile to Shiite Islam as it is to [[Christianity]] and [[Judaism]]. Wahhabi ideology is at violent odds with Shiite doctrine, and is subsequently cited as justification for acts of extremism against Shiites.

Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and the establishment of the theocracy of [[Ayatollah Khomeini]], Iranian Twelver Shiite Islam became associated with Islamic fundamentalism and violent hostility to the West both politically and culturally. However it must be remembered that [[al Qaeda]] and the Taliban are entirely Sunni movements. Much of the inspiration for groups like Al-Qaeda comes from the fiercely fundamentalist Wahhabi sect, predominant in Saudi Arabia, and as hostile to Shiite Islam as it is to [[Christianity]] and [[Judaism]]. Wahhabi ideology is at violent odds with Shiite doctrine, and is subsequently cited as justification for acts of extremism against Shiites.

[[Category:Shiites]]

[[Category:Shiites]]