Sunnis Vs. Shiites: Why Did They Fight?

The terms are thrown around on news reports and you hear them all the time now, thanks to the war in Iraq. Though they are both sects of Islam, integrally, they are almost two different religions. Why do they fight? The Sunnis and Shiites coexist in most Arabic countries. Night and day cannot exist at the same time.

Both types of Muslims share the basic Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. The real difference is when they are asked where Islam originally stemmed from. After Muhammad the Prophet died, the Muslims were left in a dust of confusion about who would precede him. One group believed that the new Muslim leader should be elected from a pool of capable conservatives. As a result of this, one of Muhammad's close friends was chosen and thus became the first caliph of the Muslim territory, Abu Bakr.

The other group that differed in this stance of appointment was outraged, the Shiites. They believed that the torch should have been handed down by blood to someone in Muhammad's family and today, their heritage can be traced back to Muhammad's daughter, Fatima. Thus, the schism of sects occurred. The Sunnis believed in capability and the Shiites believed in blood when handing down political power and is still used today in Muslim nations.

90% of Muslims are Sunnis and 10% are Shiites. Regardless of the numbers, this does leave room for discrimination. Islamic peoples are deeply rooted with their religion, for example: suicide bombers dying for their faith because they believe it will take them to Paradise. Sunnis view Shiites as heretics and in Saudi Arabia; Shiites are powerless and retain absolutely no rights. This creates a problem. Other Arab countries with Sunni majorities have followed suit.

In nations where Sunnis are the majority, they can virtually have their way with the Shiites. But strangely enough, in Iran and Iraq the tables are turned. Iran is 90% Shiite and 10% Sunni while Iraq is 60% Shiite and 40% Sunni. Numbers like these are the ones that create problems. The Sunnis in Iran are at a disadvantage and oppressed while their neighbors are allowed freedom in majority Sunni countries.