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Middle East Tensions Bring Islam's Sunni-Shia History Into Sharp Focus

A 1,400-Year-Old-Disagreement Is The Root Cause Of The Current Middle East Crisis
George Bowden
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Rising tensions following Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent Shia cleric have brought into focus the 1,400 year divide between two main branches of Islam.

The Kingdom’s decision to kill Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a driving force behind the Arab Spring of 2011, has seen its regional rival Iran issue strongly worded statements deploring the execution, while other regional players rally to support either side.

The situation highlights the differences between Shia and Sunnis, two opposed interpretations of Islamic theology, which lie behind much of the sectarian division we see in the Middle East today.

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Both Muslim sects share Islam’s five pillars, as well as rituals such as pilgrimage to Mecca

Shia and Sunnis: Explained
Sunnis and Shias: Explained(01 of04)
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Sunni and Shias praying together in Baghdad

To understand the differences between Sunnis and Shias, it's important to note crucial similarities - and their historic co-existence.

Both sects share the tenets of Islam, including their faith in a monotheistic God and the belief that Muhammad was the prophet on earth. They also share rituals such as pilgrimage to Mecca. And all Muslims believe in the Sunnah, verbal records of the prophet's teachings.

These similarities have facilitated the largely peaceful co-existence of Sunnis and Shias throughout the history of Islam, although there have been flash-points such as the tensions we see today.

These sporadic events have their roots in the disagreement between believers and their preference of who should be eligible to succeed the Prophet Muhammad following his death in the 7th Century.

Since then they've adopted differing doctrine, law and theology. (credit:Images & Stories / Alamy)
Who are the Shia?(02 of04)
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Shia Muslim worshippers at Friday prayers at Tehran University

Just 10% of all Muslims identify as Shia. This places their total population at around 150 to 200 million globally.

Shias, or shi’atu Ali (followers of Ali), believed Ali ibn Abi Talib, Mohammed’s cousin and son-in-law, to be eligible for leadership through his blood connection to the divine heritage.

Shia Islam itself contains three main branches – the Zaidis, Ismailis and Ithna Asharis. Ithna Asharis are the largest group, believing that the prophet’s authority was passed on to his descendants. (credit:ATTA KENARE via Getty Images)
Who are the Sunnis?(03 of04)
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Sunni Muslims at Mecca, Saudi Arabia

A vast majority of the world’s Muslims are Sunnis. Estimates place the proportion to be close to 90% - as many as 1.5 billion.

Sunnis, or Ahl al-Sunnah (people of the tradition), were opposed to the idea that leadership of the caliphate should succeed via Muhammad’s bloodline, preferring instead to elect the most able candidate - as they believe the prophet had done while he was dying.

They follow closely what the Prophet Muhammad practised and said through the sunnah - employing four schools of legal thought to interpret it. (credit:William Meyer / Alamy)
Sectarianism today(04 of04)
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An Iranian Muslim cleric chants slogans alongside women in a rally to protest the execution by Saudi Arabia last week of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr



This map from the Council on Foreign Relations shows the Sunni-Shia divide today across the Middle East.

Sunnis are in a majority among the Muslim populations of Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Shias are in the majority among the Muslim populations of Iraq, Iran and Bahrain.



In nations governed by Sunnis, Shia Muslims are less prosperous – and often claim to be victims of persecution. Meanwhile Shia Islamists have risen to challenge Sunni regimes in the Gulf.

Sectarian tension is a trend which grew to prominence in the 1970s, propelled by the Iranian Revolution and Afghan War.

Islamic scholars around the world hold vastly different views on the application of the death penalty in Islamic Shariah law.

Saudi judges adhere to one of the strictest interpretations, a Sunni Muslim ideology referred to as Wahhabism.

This has prompted vehement responses from Shia Muslim nations such as Iran, who disagree with the implementation of such strict Sunni beliefs. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Sectarianism in the Middle East looks set to continue, and could even worsen, after the Sheikh’s execution, analysts say.

Fawaz Gerges, of the London School of Economics, has said the Sheikh al-Nimr’s execution could well open the chasm between the two Islamic sects further.

Gerges told CNN: “I fear that the execution of Sheikh al-Nimr will most likely pour gasoline on raging fires in Syria, in Iraq, in Yemen, in Lebanon, Bahrain, and in Saudi Arabia itself.”

Another expert told the broadcaster that it was thought that Saudi Arabia would keep Shia prisoners as bargaining chips.

Toby Matthiesen, senior research fellow in the International Relations of the Middle East at Oxford said: "Several regional and international actors and countries lobbied for the release or pardoning of al-Nimr."

It comes as Kuwait recalled its ambassador to Iran as the tension over the execution continues.

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