Difference between revisions of "Shiites"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m |
|||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
Until the recent war in Iraq, the Sunni minority government in Iraq oppressed the Shiite majority. | Until the recent war in Iraq, the Sunni minority government in Iraq oppressed the Shiite majority. | ||
| − | |||
[[Category:Islam]] | [[Category:Islam]] | ||
Revision as of 03:52, March 28, 2007
The Shiites are the second largest denomination in Islam, comprising about ten percent of all Muslims. Their difference with the majority Sunni Muslims arose soon after Muhammad's death, when a conflict arose about who his successor should be. Shiites believe that only the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate successors of Muhammad.
Shiites are a minority in most countries, though they make up a majority of the populations of Iraq and Iran. The government of Iran is controlled by a Shiite theocracy.
Until the recent war in Iraq, the Sunni minority government in Iraq oppressed the Shiite majority.