They would later be called simply Shia Muslims. Others are called Sunni Muslims, from the word meaning “tradition.” Thus, the distinction between the groups hinges on their interpretation of ...

The conflicts between Shia and Sunni Muslims go back to the 7th century and the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Yet a spotlight has been shone recently on the differences between the two religions ...

Many Muslims believed that Abu-Bakr, the Prophet’s closest companion would be the first Caliph (which means ‘deputy to God’s Prophet’). This is the Sunni viewpoint. A minority believed tha ...

The Middle East is in the midst of ever-increasing tension, as conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia is spiraling to involve more countries in the region. Saudi Arabia severed all diplomatic ties ...

Britain has an estimated Muslim population of about 2.8 million. Of these some 5% are Shia, the rest are Sunni. The historical split occurred 1400 years ago, following the death of Muhammad in ...

Shiites have been marginalized in Muslim societies for religious, political, and demographic reasons. In Iraq, Shiites suffered from two major crackdowns at the hands of Saddam Hussein’s Sunni ...