Possible IRAQ Civil War ?

[Loosehead]

What is the difference between sunni/shiite muslims? I mean they're all muslims so they can be so far apart that a civil war will ensue, i don't understand.

[Quizmonster]

Obviously, only a brief outline can be provided here, but the schism between Sunni and Shia Muslims really began on the death of the Prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam.  The name �Sunni' is based on the word that means �lawful' or �orthodox' in Arabic.  In addition, the Sunna - or Hadith - is the name given to the sayings and customs of Mohammed, which are given almost the same reverence by Sunnis as the Koran itself.  �Shia' means �sect' or �party' and the full name is �Shiat Ali' or �Ali's sect'.
The Shias understood that Mohammed himself had declared Ali, his son-in-law, to be his successor...the Caliph...and that the leader would be drawn from his direct family descendants. However, the Sunnis argued that his successor should be appointed by election. Accordingly, three other leaders were chosen though Ali and the Shias rejected these as usurpers.
In 680 AD, near Karbala in what is now Iraq, Hussein - Ali's son and the Prophet's grandson - was killed leading a revolt against Yazid, the then Caliph.  As a result, Ali's claim to be the true Caliph had a martyr in his son.  Shias now believed him to be the equivalent of what Christians would call a saint...ie one who could assist the faithful into heaven.
Ever since, each sect has believed the other to be false claimants of the true �inheritance' of Islam.  In Iraq today, two out of three Muslims are Shias, although worldwide nearly 90 percent of Muslims are Sunnis. This religious feud has been going on for about three times  longer than the one between Catholic and Protestant in the Christian world!

[spudqueen]

Don't know enough about it to tell you the differences but I do know that sunnis have been killing shiites. It's really no different to protestants/catholics, and there's been enough trouble between them!

[Loosehead]

Thank you, bloody religion eh who needs it?

[jno]

it's often the case that religion as such isn't really the problem. A ruling party from one sect may disenfranchise another (is it still the case that a Catholic can't be king or queen of England?); the latter may find opportunities for jobs or advancement dry up, and become resentful; this may spill over into discontent and violence that isn't really religion-based. I'm not sure that modern Sunni and Shia actually come to blows over who the caliph should be, any more than Northern Ireland's problems had to do with chasubles.

[jake-the-peg]

There are also many theoligical differences.

The essence of Shiite belief is in the Immamate. A teacher descended from Ali. Some groups believe there were 12 valid Immams following Ali and some 7 both sects believe the last Immam became "hidden" and will return as the Mahdi a messianic tyope of figure. One branch of the "seveners" are the Druze in Lebanon, you mihgt have heard of them relating to the violence in Beirut.

There are also Sufi muslims who have a very mystical tradition following a inner search for God.- whirling dervishes and all that.

Then there are Wahhabi muslims typically in Saudi who are kind of the puritans of Islam with a very strict interpretation of things - they see visits to tombs and graves as idolatory which is somewhat ironic as they are in effect the guardians of the kabba in mecca where the Haj takes place.

Baha'ism is also interesting founded in the 19th centuary in Iran Baha claimed to be the Mahdi and his teaching revolved around an inner truth in all religions - so naturally all major religions see them as heretics.

Bit like England in the Civil war - Puritans and Levellers and Anabaptists and Ranters and Quakers and seekers etc.

   

[january_bug]

A Cathloic can't be the ruling monarch here no.  Because the monarch is also the head of the Church of England and it would all get a bit dodgy.  That's why Tony Blair is only a closet Catholic, because it's apparently not great to have HMG led by a Cathloice either. 

Off topic, but replying to jno - :-)

[Dom Tuk]

It was prdicted quite a long time ago, before the invasion of Iraq that this would happen. saddam had through sheer force subjugated the majority community. Now they are not going to give up power and they have got it. The minority that was in power for a long time due to saddam, will also not take it lying down (the fact that they are no longer in power). So a lot of scores to settle and a lot of hate to feed. Commentators had said this long ago....what will you do about the shias and the sunnis. Now it is reality time. Bet you Bush is saying 'but they are all muslims' so can they be so far apart........

[snoteater]

What is the difference between catholic/protestant christians? I mean they're all christians so they can't be so far apart that a civil war will ensue, i don't understand ....ooops! Northern Ireland!