Globa Issues: Cultural Conflict ~ Difference between Sunnis and Shiites

CNN has a useful bit on the difference between Sunnis and Shiites - of relevance to unravelling the Unit 4 topic on ‘Clash of Civilizations’ and also for gaining a handle on some of the current events in the Middle East.

CNN Explainer: Tensions between Sunnis and Shiites

The article aserts: ” As unrest continues to unfold across much of North Africa and the Middle East, fears of growing sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shiites Muslims have risen.

So far the island Gulf state of Bahrain is the only nation to see popular protests divide along religious lines, but are more countries to follow and what does it mean?” However, interestingly the article also has a useful qualification - “What most of the protesters are calling for are not about religious issues. Most are demands for greater economic opportunities.”—Jane Kinninmont [Chatham House].

Story Highlights:Sunni and Shiite Islam are the two major denominations of the Islamic faith Sunnis make up the majority, with only 10% of the Muslim population being Shiite Tensions have arisen in recent years, heightened by events in Iran and Iraq There are fears unrest in places such as Bahrain will spark further tensions