Sectarianism and religious conflicts shape the Middle East's political landscape. The Sunni -Shia split, rooted in succession disputes after Muhammad's death, fuels ongoing tensions. Modern conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon highlight the complex interplay of sectarian identities and power struggles.
Religious movements and minorities add another layer of complexity. Conservative Islamic movements like Wahhabism influence regional dynamics. Meanwhile, religious minorities face challenges in political representation and social acceptance. Some countries adopt power-sharing systems to manage religious diversity.
Sectarian Divides
Origins and Significance of Sunni-Shia Split
Top images from around the web for Origins and Significance of Sunni-Shia Split Shi’ism – Keys to Understanding the Middle East View original
Is this image relevant?
The Oil Drum | Revenge of the Shia? View original
Is this image relevant?
Succession to Muhammad - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Shi’ism – Keys to Understanding the Middle East View original
Is this image relevant?
The Oil Drum | Revenge of the Shia? View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Origins and Significance of Sunni-Shia Split Shi’ism – Keys to Understanding the Middle East View original
Is this image relevant?
The Oil Drum | Revenge of the Shia? View original
Is this image relevant?
Succession to Muhammad - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Shi’ism – Keys to Understanding the Middle East View original
Is this image relevant?
The Oil Drum | Revenge of the Shia? View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Sunni-Shia divide stems from disagreement over succession after Prophet Muhammad's death in 632 CE
Sunnis believe leadership should be based on consensus among Muslim community
Shias maintain Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law Ali was divinely appointed as his successor
Split led to distinct theological interpretations and political rivalries throughout Islamic history
Sunnis constitute majority (85-90%) of global Muslim population
Shias form significant minorities in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and several Gulf states
Sectarian Conflicts in Modern Middle East
Alawites emerged as offshoot of Shia Islam in 9th century Syria
Alawite minority gained political power in Syria under Hafez al-Assad 's rule starting in 1970
Sectarian violence in Iraq intensified after 2003 U.S. invasion toppled Sunni-dominated government
Sunni insurgency and Shia militias engaged in retaliatory attacks, causing widespread civilian casualties
Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) involved complex sectarian alliances among Maronite Christians, Sunnis, Shias, and Druze
Syrian Civil War (2011-present) initially began as pro-democracy uprising, evolved into sectarian conflict
Assad regime (Alawite-led) faced opposition from predominantly Sunni rebels
Regional powers intervened along sectarian lines (Iran supporting Assad, Gulf states backing Sunni opposition)
Religious Movements and Minorities
Rise of Conservative Islamic Movements
Wahhabism originated in 18th century Arabia as puritanical reform movement within Sunni Islam
Founded by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, advocating return to strict interpretation of Islamic texts
Formed alliance with House of Saud, becoming official religious doctrine of Saudi Arabia
Wahhabism influenced development of Salafism and other conservative Islamic movements globally
Conservative movements often clash with more moderate or secular interpretations of Islam
Religious Minorities and Political Systems
Religious minorities in Middle East include Christians (Copts, Maronites, Orthodox), Jews, Druze, Yazidis , and Baha'is
Minorities often face discrimination, persecution, or limited political representation in some countries
Confessionalism allocates political power based on religious affiliations
Lebanon's National Pact of 1943 established power-sharing system among religious communities
President must be Maronite Christian , Prime Minister Sunni Muslim, and Speaker of Parliament Shia Muslim
Interfaith dialogue initiatives aim to promote understanding and cooperation among different religious groups
Jordan's Amman Message (2004) sought to define true Islam and denounce extremism
A Common Word (2007) fostered Muslim-Christian dialogue on shared values