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Line 1: − + + + − To this day, the Sunnis and Shiites clash with each other. 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.{{fact}} Arabs tend to be Sunni, and these Sunnis have ruled countries such as [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Iraq]], while the Shiites have majorities in Iraq and [[Iran]].
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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 be the successor to Muhammad.
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.
Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and the establishment of the theocracy of [[Ayatollah Khomeini]] Shhiite Islam became associated with Islamic fundamentalism and violent hostility to the West both politically and culturally. However it must be remembered that [[Al Quaeda]] is an entirely Sunni movement. Much of the inspiration for groups like Al Quaeda comes from the fiercely fundamentalist Wahhabi sect, predominant in Saudi Arabia and as hostile to Shiite Islam as it is to Christianity and Judaism
[[category:Islam]]
[[category:Islam]]