Posted by KKJ on February 27, 2011 at 18:39:29:
In Reply to: Needed: a book about the role of Sunni and Shiite in Middle East posted by Gerr on February 27, 2011 at 15:49:40:
Very informative. You are right, the new media is not talking about any of this.
: I was about to post a comment about the role Sunni versus Shiite is playing when I read JeanKay's post. The answer is yes, you can bet there is a lot going on behind the scenes in the Middle East and the ancient opposition between Sunni and Shiite is sure to be part of it.
: Sunni and Shiite are the two largest Islamic sects. We would see them as a lot alike, but they don't see it that way. The Shiites see their Imams as teachers inspired by God (like the Catholic Pope). The Sunnis do not, and that is a main difference in how the two groups see their religion.
: Sunnis comprise about 85 percent of all Muslims. Therefore, most Mideastern nations have a Sunni majority (Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Palestine). Iran is the only nation with an overwhelming Shiite majority, although Iraq, Lebanon and Bahrain also have large Shiite communities.
: Whatever the outcome of these current uprisings, the religious and political differences between the Sunnis and the Shiites is eventually going to play a role. Iran and splinter groups such as Osama Bin Laden's (he is a Wahabbi, a Sunni fundamentalist sect) will surely try to use it to further their own agendas.