Just One Question: The Difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims
Feb 4, 2007
Articles & Testimony
Q: What's the simplest way to remember the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims?
A: Sunni is a longer word than Shia -- there are more Sunnis than Shias. Most ShIAs live in IrAn. IrAq also has a ShIA majority (as does BahrAIn). Mostly SUnnI SaUdI Arabia considers itself the leader of the Muslim world.
The Sunni/Shia split occured after the death of the Prophet Muhammed in 632. His son-in-law Ali wanted to be the new leader of Islam but was defeated. His supporters were "Shia Ali", the followers of Ali.
-- Simon Henderson, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
