PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Sunni and Shia Religious Conflict
The conflict between the Sunni and Shia Muslims has been happening for fourteen centuries. Countless of both groups have been killed and it has been a vicious divide since the beginning. It started with the death of the Prophet, Muhammad. Usually, leadership is passed down to the deceased's son, but Muhammad had only daughters. Because of this seemingly trivial fact, the whole of the Islamic religion was split in two. One group of Muslims wanted Mohammad's closest advisor, Abu Bakr should take over and though they were in the majority, another small group wanted the inheritance to go to a blood relative and supported Muhammad's nephew, Ali. This led to conflict and the two groups becoming denominations of the religion. Those that supported Abu became Sunni and those that supported Ali became Shia. .
Ever since the split between the two groups, there has been a constant power struggle between them in every country Islam has spread to. Usually, it is one denomination dominating the government and therefore in control of the other group. In most countries, the Sunni Muslims have dominated the Shia by a large percent.
The differences between the Sunni and Shia Muslims that were once so simple have now evolved into complex things. Both groups can agree on the Qur'an and the history it describes, but the Sunni Muslims believe in having a more direct relationship with God and don't think they need a hierarchy of people to preach to them. The Shia believe this hierarchy is highly important and stick to that belief, well, religiously. The Sunni believe the Shia beliefs are heresy or blasphemous and find them offensive.
This conflict is occurring today all throughout the Middle east. Throughout the centuries countless wars and skirmishes have been fought between the two denominations and though there have been times where the pot of conflict has been simmering, it seems to be boiling to the point of spilling over again today. Countries that are in particular conflict include Iraq and Iran, through Egypt, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Syria.
This unofficial official war is happening in so many countries and is so unorganized that there are no major spearheads. There are some groups that are antagonizing the situation and encouraging sectarian violence. One such group is Al-Qaeda who believe that Shia Muslims are heretics.
This situation is a religion on religion intrareligion conflict. In short, it's one denomination against another.
