What are the main differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims?
In order to answer this question we need to understand the history that produced the conflict today. The current sectarian violence in Iraq has both a long history and a very short one. From the perspective of Islamic history, its roots lie in the debates over who had the right to succeed the Prophet Muhammad as the legitimate leader, or “caliph,” of the burgeoning Muslim community. Shiism as a distinct sect within Islam began when followers, or “partisans” (Shi’at in Arabic) of the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali, believed that he was wrongfully passed over as Caliph in favor of Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman, the first three leaders after Muhammad. Abu Bakr and Umar favored the early companions of the Prophet, and the “ansar,” or helpers of the Muslim community during its hijrah (flight) or period of flight to Medina. Uthman, however, was from the powerful Umaya clan of Muhammad’s Quraysh tribe, and when he assumed power he changed this policy toward one favoring the pre-Islamic aris
