Ali is the central figure at the origin of the Shia / Sunni split which occurred in the decades immediately following the death of the Prophet in 632. Sunnis regard Ali as the fourth and last of the "rightly guided caliphs" (successors to Mohammed (pbuh) as leader of the Muslims) following on from Abu Bakr 632-634,
www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm
The division in Islam between the Shia minority and the Sunni majority seems to be deepening, not just in Iran and Iraq, but across the Middle East. The split occurred soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, nearly 1,400 years ago. ... Although the origins of the Sunni-Shia split were violent, over the centuries Shia...
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7332087
With the recent turmoil, the conflict between Shia and Sunni is once again a driving force behind events in the Middle East. ... 680: Hussein, son of Ali, marches against the superior army of the caliph at Karbala in Iraq. He is defeated, his army massacred, and he is beheaded. The split between Shia and Sunnis deepens.
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7280905
THE SUNNI-SHIA SPLIT; Find out more about this subject by using our research page;; In 680, near Karbala in Iraq, a man was killed in the desert. His name was Husayn, and he was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. ... Ali R : Sunni/Shia split; The programme was a reasonable attempt to capture the essence of the split...
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/inourtime_200906... www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/inourtime_20090625.shtml
The Origins of the Sunni/Shia split in Islam; by Hussein Abdulwaheed Amin, Editor of IslamForToday.com ... Ali is the central figure at the origin of the Shia / Sunni split which occurred in the decades immediately following the death of the Prophet in 632. Sunnis regard Ali as the fourth and last of the "rightly...
www.uncg.edu/~jwjones/islamicworld/readings/SunniShiaSp... www.uncg.edu/~jwjones/islamicworld/readings/SunniShiaSplit.html
For more detailed information about the historical context of the Shia/Sunni split, and modern-day interpretations and repercussions, please visit the links to the right ... Origins of the Sunni/Shia Split in Islam...
islam.about.com/cs/divisions/f/shia_sunni.htm islam.about.com/cs/divisions/f/shia_sunni.htm
· Samarra bombing exposes widening religious gaps · Bush calls on party leaders to unite against violence ... The most pressing problem is the Sunni-Shia schism which "threatens to tear the country apart" says the report, entitled The Next Iraqi War? ... Sunni-Shia schism 'threatening to tear Iraq apart', says conflict group...
www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/feb/27/iraq.michaelhoward
The Sunni/Shia split has been the basis of endless debates over the years. Commentators have focused their strengths on sketching ... Know something about Origins of the Sunni/shia split in Islam? We want to hear your view. Write now!
www.helium.com/items/53319-origins-of-the-sunnishia-spl... www.helium.com/items/53319-origins-of-the-sunnishia-split-in-islam
Understanding what the Sunni-Shia split really means for the new Middle East. ... Identity Politics; Understanding what the Sunni-Shia split really means for the new Middle East. by Lee Smith ; 07/25/2006 2:00:00 PM ;
www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/... www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/493ptzfp.asp
Shi'a–Sunni relations - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Sunni and Shī‘ah are the two major denominations of Islam. The demographic breakdown between the two groups is difficult to assess and varies by source, but a good approximation is that 85% of the ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shi'a–Sunni_relations