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.

Now it all boils down to Iraq. Think logically; in the 2000 elections here in the US there was uproar because the race was so extremely close and every vote was critical. It was hysteria in both the Democratic and Republican parties. Now add fundamental religious extremists and strict laws abiding by the Qu'ran. You have Iraq. Whoever is running the country at the time will most certainly transfer his religion into all departments and rid himself of the other Islamic sect. But why can't they live in peace, surely Jews and Christians coexist peacefully in the White House?

Because it is one thing when you live in a free country, and it is another when the religion of the leader is imposed upon you. Say a Jew became president and enforced all American families to convert, made his Cabinet, Congress, and the Senate Jewish. How about Jewish national holidays and strict celebration of Hannukah? Our calendars would be rewritten to have Rosh Hashanah be the New Year. And if you did not abide by the laws, you would simply be killed. Now go back into Iraq mode. See why they fight now?

The size of the Shiite majority is so close to the Sunni minority that power is tossed back and forth. One must understand that they are deeply religious people and amongst themselves, Sunnis believes Shiites are not even Islam at all. That is a slap in the face to Shiites who can trace their lineage back to Muhammad.

The U.S. should have nothing to do with the Iraq War. Our government knows nothing about the internal functioning of their culture and Islam as a way of life and being is unfathomable to Christian Americans. No matter who you put into power as president in Iraq today, it will always be contested because the leader will always be biased towards their sect (Sunni or Shiite) and one or the other will always end up being discriminated.

Yes, I believe in world peace, but when religion runs your world and you plan your life around it, it is extremely difficult to come to terms about anything when you live in a country where half of the population calls you a blasphemous criminal.