The '''Shiites''' (or Shi'ites or Shia) is one of two major branches of Islam. A schism in Islam occurred in A.D. 660, almost 30 years after the death of [[Muhammad]]. The [[Sunnis]], the largest group, disagreed with the Shiites over who should take over the ''caliphate'' or leadership of the nascent Islamic community. Those supporting the Prophet's son-in-law, Ali, were called the ''shi at Ali'' or "party of Ali" from which the name originates. Shiites comprise about one tenth of all Muslims and are the majority faith in Iran and Iraq. | The '''Shiites''' (or Shi'ites or Shia) is one of two major branches of Islam. A schism in Islam occurred in A.D. 660, almost 30 years after the death of [[Muhammad]]. The [[Sunnis]], the largest group, disagreed with the Shiites over who should take over the ''caliphate'' or leadership of the nascent Islamic community. Those supporting the Prophet's son-in-law, Ali, were called the ''shi at Ali'' or "party of Ali" from which the name originates. Shiites comprise about one tenth of all Muslims and are the majority faith in Iran and Iraq. |