Changes

In 750 A.D., the Abbasid clan — whose members supported the Shiite sect — defeated the Umayyads.  The rule of Abassid caliph "Harun al-Rashid" is known as the "Golden Age of Islam."

In 750 A.D., the Abbasid clan — whose members supported the Shiite sect — defeated the Umayyads.  The rule of Abassid caliph "Harun al-Rashid" is known as the "Golden Age of Islam."

To this day, the Sunnis and Shiites clash with each other, with the Sunnis considered to be more moderate and friendlier to western countries like the United States, and the Shiites viewed as more extreme and hostile to western countries.  The Sunnis are Arab and have ruled countries such as [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Iraq]], while the Shiites have majorities in more aggressive nations of Iraq and Iran.   

To this day, the Sunnis and Shiites clash with each other, with the Sunnis considered to be more moderate and friendlier to western countries like the United States, and the Shiites viewed as more extreme and hostile to western countries.  The Sunnis are Arab and have ruled countries such as [[Saudi Arabia]], while the Shiites have control of more aggressive nations like Iran.   

The recent effort to form a [[democracy]] in Iraq has given the Shiites new power in one of the largest Muslim countries, causing concern among the Sunnis.  The Shiites have religious practices that include beating their chests, slashing their forwards and weeping.  The Sunnis are more reserved in their ceremonies.  [[Jordan]]'s King [[Abdullah II]] declared in December 2005 that he feared that Iran sought to create "a Shiite crescent" in the Middle East consisting of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.  The crescent (partial Moon) is the symbol of Islam and is used in many official flags of Muslim nations.

The recent effort to form a [[democracy]] in Iraq has given the Shiites new power in one of the largest Muslim countries, causing concern among the Sunnis.  The Shiites have religious practices that include beating their chests, slashing their forwards and weeping.  The Sunnis are more reserved in their ceremonies.  [[Jordan]]'s King [[Abdullah II]] declared in December 2005 that he feared that Iran sought to create "a Shiite crescent" in the Middle East consisting of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.  The crescent (partial Moon) is the symbol of Islam and is used in many official flags of Muslim nations.