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 Ali’s ...

Alawites, a Shia sect, ruled Syria for decades under the Assads. Now, after Bashar al-Assad's fall, they face violence as ...

At least 1,300 have been killed in Syria as security forces clash with loyalists of ousted president Bashar al-Assad. The violence is concentrated in Tartus and Latakia, home to Alawites. The Assads ...

This is the Sunni viewpoint. A minority believed that Ali, the Prophet’s son-in-law should lead the community. These Muslims came to be known as Shi’a, which means ‘Party of Ali’ ...

Armed Sunni groups, considered loyal to the new regime after Assad’s removal, have begun retaliatory killings against ...

It accounts for around 10% of Syria's population, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim. Assad belonged to the sect. However, since the civil war intensified, different militant groups have been ...

When Sunni rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad last December, they vowed to form an inclusive Syrian government by March. Sunnis comprise around 75 percent of Syria with the remaining 25 percent made up of ...

Over 1,000 people have been killed in two days of clashes between Syrian security forces and loyalists of ousted President ...

Ramadan is celebrated by nearly 2 billion Muslims across the world, with different traditions in various countries and communities. Sunni and Shia Muslims, the two main sects of Islam, observe ...

Around a quarter of the world’s population headed into the Islamic holy month this past weekend, with varying start dates ...