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 ...

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’ ...

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 ...

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

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 ...

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

For Muslims in Saudi Arabia and most Sunni-ruled Middle Eastern states Ramadan will begin on Saturday, but in Shiite-majority ...