What is the difference between a shiite and a sunni and a kurd?
82425
Sunnis are a religious faction of Islam. They make up 90% of all Muslim adherents worldwide. Shiites are basically the other ten percent. Shiites differ from the Sunnis in that tyhey believe that a different caliphate (from the more historically important Sunni one) was the true caliphate - the one begun by Mohammed's grandson, Imam Ali.\n\nThere are other slight differences. Somewhat more like some Christians, Shiites may venerate certain saints and martyrs, and keep vigil at their tombs.\n\nKurds have nothing to do with this religious distinction. Kurds are Sunni muslims. They are instead an ethnic minority. Why they are refered to differently when you watch CNN is because they are the one large population group in Iraq who are not Arabs. They have a different language, history, and customs. They are also a large minority (an often oppressed one) in neighbouring Turkey...
804726
There are a number of differences in the Shi`ah (Shiite) and the Sunni Juristic opinions. However, not all these differences can be termed as the "basic differences" in these two major sects of Islam. The basic difference in the two sects is that of the Shiite faith of the system of "Imamah". The Shiite faith of "Imamah" implies that after the Prophet  (pbuh), there shall be no other prophet, but the only true leader of the Muslims, at any given time, is an "Imam" who, like the prophets of God, is directly appointed by God. The appointment of the first "Imam" was made by God through the last Prophet (pbuh), while every subsequent "Imam" is appointed through the "Imam", who precedes him. Another qualification of the "Imam", according to the Shiite belief is that he shall belong to the family of the last Prophet (pbuh). The Shiite belief holds that the "Imams", like the prophets of God, are "ma`soom" (sinless, innocent) and, therefore, should be obeyed in all matters and under all circumstances. The "Imams", according to the Shiite faith, are thus not just the political leaders of the Muslims but also their religious leaders and clergy. The Sunni school, on the other hand, does not ascribe to any such belief. \n\nThis may, at first sight, seem to be a trivial difference between the two schools. However, a close analysis reveals that it amounts to a difference in the basic sources of religion and religious knowledge information and directives for the two schools. The Sunni school, because of its lack of belief in the institution of "Imamah" holds the last Prophet of God and the book revealed on him as the two primary sources of Islam, while the Shiite school, because of the importance and position it gives to the "Imams" holds them to be an autonomous source of their religion. Anything that an "Imam" says, anything that he does and anything that he narrates is "religion" for the Shiite school. Differing with an "Imam" in any matter is of about the same consequence as differing with a prophet. Not submitting to the directions of an "Imam" is as grave a sin as refusing to submit to the directions of a prophet of God. \n\nAs can be seen from the above explanation, the difference between the Shiite and the Sunni schools are not trivial. On the contrary, these differences are "very" basic. Nevertheless, the thing to do is not to condemn each other; or call each other "Kaafir" (infidel) or non-Muslim"; or air the fire of hatred and promote each other's killings, but to try and convince the other person as well as one's own self to accept whatever is right in the light of the Qur'an  and the true teachings of the Prophet  (pbuh), to promote empathy for each other's points of view and to try and stress the common points in each other's beliefs. \n\nIt should be interesting to note here that although these two sects have co-existed for centuries, yet the extent and gravity of sectarian violence has never been felt more than during the present times. The basic reason for this change in the situation is that a number of prominent scholars and knowledgeable personalities of both these sects have changed the roles that they played in the past. In the past, the differences of both the sects were a matter of intellectual debate between the scholars of these sects. The gravity of these differences was also fully known, but the scholars never promoted violence against each other. The situation has tremendously changed during the past few decades. The scholars of these sects now sit on their respective pulpits and use these differences as flames to burn the emotions and feelings of their addressees against the people of the other sects. They promote the killings of the followers of other sects by labeling these followers with various de
825727
why do you say kurdistan?\nits called iraq and it will always be for arabs!\ndont you feel ashamed that you come to a country after being chased away from somewhere in asia and now you want to invent your own country on it?\n\nirbil is in iraq!\n\niraq has been its name for 1500 years, now just because the americans are there you think you can change its name?\n\nyou are worse than israeel.\n\nyou betray a country that has adopted you after you were kicked out from wherever middle asian cave you came from!
657971
I've been in Baghdad for almost 2 years and I can say this with full conviction.  You have no idea what you are talking about.  I'm sure, in theory, all Muslims are Brothers, but this is the real world.  The Sunnis are the minority group here, but they were the favored ones during Saddam's reign.  They stomped on their fellow Muslims for over 30 years, and now most of the insurgents that are Iraqis are Sunnis.  They are no longer the ones in power and don't like it.  They murder their own countrymen without a care for the suffering they cause.  Just the other day, a Sunni walked into a crowded restaurant at lunchtime and detonated explosives that were strapped to his body, killing 10 and wounding 17.  Women, children, it didn't matter to him.  If all Muslims are Brothers, why did Iraq attack Kuwait?  Why did Iraq and Iran carry on a war for 10 years?  Step into the real world, Buddy.
526165
Hiya, :)\nId be happy to answer your questions.\n\nA) They are fighting in Iraq (The Sunni led terrorists)because they are unhappy that they no longer rule the country as they did under Saddam.\n\nB) The largest Muslim sect in the world is the Sunni sect.\nSufism\n\nC) The following is about Sufism which is also a part of Islam. \n\n\nSufism (Persian: صوفی‌گری Sufi gari, Arabic: تصوف, taṣawwuf) is a mystic tradition of Islam. Practitioners of Sufism, known as Sufis, engage in the pursuit of a direct perception of spiritual truth or God, through mystic practices based on divine love. Sufism differs from other branches of Islam in its esoteric rather than exoteric focus.\n\nThe term Sufism can be used to describe a diverse range of beliefs and practises. Tariqas (Sufi orders) may be associated with Shi'a Islam, Sunni Islam, other currents of Islam, or a combination of multiple traditions. Sufi thought emerged from the Middle East in the eighth century, but adherents are now found around the world. In particular, Indonesia, the most populous Islamic nation in the world, was introduced to Islam through Sufism, and Sufi practises and beliefs are evident in mainstream religious life across the country.\n\nSufism has produced a large body of poetry in Turkish, Punjabi, Urdu and Persian, which notably include the works of Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, Bulleh Shah, Amir Khusro, as well as numerous traditions of devotional dance, such as Sufi whirling, and music, such as Qawwali.\n\n\n\nA few etymologies for the word Sufi have been suggested.\n\nThe conventional view is that the word originates from Suf (صوف), the Arabic word for wool, implying a cloak and refers to the simple cloaks the early Muslim ascetics wore. But one should also note that not all sufis wear cloaks or clothes of wool.\n\nAnother etymological theory states that the root word of Sufi is the Arabic word saaf (صاف), meaning pure, clean or blank. This etymology refers to the emphasis of Sufism on purity of heart and soul. One must consider that this theory does not hold strong, because it contradicts the root of the word saaf. Strictly speaking, considering Arabic grammar, the word would have been "saafi".\n\nOthers have suggested the origin of the word Sufi is from "Ashab al-Suffa" ("Companions of the Veranda") or "Ahl al-Suffa" ("People of the Veranda"), who were a group of Muslims during the time of the Prophet Muhammad who spent much of their time on the veranda of the Prophet's mosque devoted to prayer. It can also refer to the chosen ones.\n\n\n\nBasic beliefs\nThe central concept in Sufism is love. Dervishes—the name given to initiates of sufi orders—believe that love is a projection of the essence of God to the universe.They believe that God desires to recognize beauty, and as if one looks at a mirror to see oneself, God looks at himself within the dynamics of nature. This is substantiated using the famous Hadith Qudsi (extra-Qur'anic utterance of God): "I was a hidden treasure, and I wanted to be known, so I created Creation." Since they believe that everything is a reflection of God, Sufis try to see the beauty inside the apparently ugly, and to open arms even to what is considered the most evil one. The Sufi conception of divine love is not restricted to what the term "love of God" implies, it also includes human loves with a perspective that views everything a manifestation of God.\n\nThe central doctrine of Sufism, sometimes called Wahdat or Unity, is the Sufi understanding of Tawhid. Put very simply Tawhid states that all phenomena are manifestations of a single reality, or Wujud (being), which is indeed al-Haq (Truth, God). The essence of being/Truth/God is devoid of every form and quality, and hence unmanifest, yet it is inseparable from every form and phenomenon either material or spiritual. It is often understood to imply that every phenomenon is an
866046
The differences between these two main sub-groups within Islam initially stemmed not from spiritual differences, but political ones. Over the centuries, however, these political differences have spawned a number of varying practices and positions which have come to carry a spiritual significance.\n\nThe division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation. Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. This is what was done, and the Prophet Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, became the first Caliph of the Islamic nation. \n\nThe word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."\n\nOn the other hand, some Muslims share the belief that leadership should have stayed within the Prophet's own family, among those specifically appointed by him, or among Imams appointed by God Himself.\n\nThe Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali. Throughout history, Shia Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, choosing instead to follow a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself. The word "Shia" in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people. The commonly-known term is shortened from the historical "Shia-t-Ali," or "the Party of Ali." They are also known as followers of "Ahl-al-Bayt" or "People of the Household" (of the Prophet).\n\nFrom this initial question of political leadership, some aspects of spiritual life have been affected and now differ between the two groups of Muslims.\n\nShia Muslims believe that the Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority is infallible as it comes directly from God. Therefore, Shia Muslims often venerate the Imams as saints and perform pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in the hopes of divine intercession. Sunni Muslims counter that there is no basis in Islam for a hereditary privileged class of spiritual leaders, and certainly no basis for the veneration or intercession of saints. Sunni Muslims contend that leadership of the community is not a birthright, but a trust that is earned and which may be given or taken away by the people themselves.\n\nShia Muslims also feel animosity towards some of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, based on their positions and actions during the early years of discord about leadership in the community. Many of these companions (Abu Bakr, Umar, Aisha, etc.) have narrated traditions about the Prophet's life and spiritual practice. Shia Muslims reject these traditions (hadith) and do not base any of their religious practices on the testimony of these individuals. This naturally gives rise to some differences in religious practice between the two groups. These differences touch all detailed aspects of religious life: prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.\n\nSunni Muslims make up the majority (85%) of Muslims all over the world. Significant populations of Shia Muslims can be found in Iran and Iraq, and large minority communities in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, and Lebanon.\n\nIt is important to remember that despite all of these differences in opinion and practice, Shia and Sunni Muslims share the main articles of Islamic belief and are considered by most to be brethren in faith. In fact, most Muslims do not distinguish themselves by claiming membership in any particular group, but prefer to call themselves simply, "Muslims."\n\nFor 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.\n\nI think this would clear ur doubt?
1028038
only shiites believe in the 12 imams. shiites make up a small minority of muslims. the majority, sunnis, do not believe in this.
265006
Well, according to the site (see below), among the "Aims & Objectives" of the Dundee Islamic Society (The Central Mosque) is the conduct of public worship according to the tenets of Islam in accordance with the "DEOBANDI Sunni Sect".   ...Worldwide, the majority of Muslims are Sunni's, so if we are talking UK as a whole then the Sunni's are most definitly in the majority.   However, there maybe isolated pockets of Shiite concentration depending on the immigrates' original homeland (e.g. Iran, parts of Iraq, Lebanon, etc.)\n\nF.Y.I.  The Sufi orders (there are a number of them depending on the Master's Lineage) are the Islamic Mystical communities.  Some of them do adhere to a especific Islamic sect, some of them do not make such distinctions, and at least one (The Sufi Order International)is not even Islamic (and/or religious-based) at all.
226003
this may not be EXACTLY  the difference in the rituals, but the diffenence in their belief  which I think probably is more important.\n\nhttp://www.dianedew.com/islam.htm
240846
Wow, there's an 800 year old question!\n\nWithout going into a doctorial dissertation, it all started right after the death of the Profit. The question was who would be his successor. Shias believed one way and Sunnis another. They have been fighting ever since.\n\nAdd to this that most Shia are Persians and most original Sunni are Arabs and the cultural morass becomes deeper. When entering the Arabian/Persian Gulf, ships and planes must call it different names depending on if they are talking to an Arab or a Persian (Iranian).\n\nYou must understand that tribal and clan allegiances trump all others in the Arab world. Some would argue the tribal nature is prevalent throughout the world and that cultures like the US and (modern) Western Europe are the exceptions, rather than the rule. Others will agree but state the West has evolved away from tribal warfare and that is why they are so successful. But back to the topic.\n\nThese tribal/clan ties can cause massive intercine wars within a country and are sometimes confused by culturally ignorant journalists as "civil wars", when in fact they may be nothing more an retribution killings or turf wars over some resource.\n\nTribal/clan systems are also highly unstable and can be easily fractured. Even within the Sunnis and Shia, there are subclans and subsects which may even war with each other. This is how the Afghan war was won and how the terrorists in Iraq are being alienated from their supporting tribal leaders. Yeah, it never made the news, I know. Go figure.\n\nThis brings us back to the Sunni/Shia issue. Iraq is the crossroads of cultures in the Arab/Persian world. Bothe Shias and Sunnis have holy sites here. The ignorant media just simply claim every city is a "Holy City" without even trying to figure out WHO it is holy for. Iraq's population is roughly Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%, and Christian 3%. Into this, add the Kurds, who are also Islamic, but of a different tribe/clan.\n\nFor his entire reign, Saddam brutalized the Kurds and Shia within Iraq. Roughly 6-7 million people were killed with untold numbers imprisoned and truly tortured (not just embarrassed). His Army was made up of Shia conscripts serving under brutal Sunni officers. We never "disbanded" the Iraqi Army, it disintegrated en mass after Saddam fell and thousands of Shia deserted.\n\nSo, after years of abuse, the Shia and Kurds have a score to settle. You must understand, there is no "forgive and forget" here. The culture does not allow for it. The US military knows this, but also knows they must stop the violence. Their are massive efforts to bring the sides together and create conditions where local Sheiks (tribal leaders) and Imams (religious leaders) can help the people work together for a better Iraq. This effort is more difficult than any ever attempted. It is succeeding, slowly, but most Americans, or the world, would never know about it from the media.\n\nI hope this helped. This is a huge question and one that most Western cultures cannot comprehend since it makes no sense to us. However, much of the world is divided along these tribal lines. We are seeing this all over from China, to the Caucuses, through the old Soviet Union, in the Balkans, and throughout Africa. It is the cause of a lot of the 100s of "brush wars" going on throughout the world.
847079
Might not be a good idea to put the hatred in all of them as a lable.\n\nThe primary difference is that the Sunni don't believe that you have to be a descendant of Mohammed to be the supreme leader.\n\nThey also have differences in terms of how you conduct worship.\nFor example, some Sunni consider some Shite shrines to be idol woship.\n\nTo the Islamist, all people who disagree with him are either Infidel (thats us) or apostates.
441828
Very good question.  As you know, there isn't any difference at all.  As a solider (freedom fighter) fighting for so-called democracy in Iraq, I kill an Iraqi insurgent.  In America (for the most part), I'm a hero, I'm right.  In Iraq (for the most part), I'm the devil, I'm the terrorist.  Yet, if you thought the destruction of the World trade Center was horrible, imagine living in the hell that is Iraq ever since U.S. Troops arrived.
56215
Their are two main group of islam 'Sena' and 'Shiit'\nthe sena are in all the world but the Shiit are only in Iran and a few amounts in some other countries.\nIn shiit group their are a different level (as university) the top level is ayatollah,\nthe imam is only the leader of the pray in the mosque, it's the same for shiit and sena.\ntheir are other group but not so big as ebadeyah, zaydeyah,....
1007178
"Kurds" are a group of people who living in "Iran", "Iraq" and "Turkey". They are part of these countries population.\n\n"Kurds" speak one of two dialects of "Kurdish", a West Iranian language related to Modern "Persian". Traditionally nomadic, most were forced into farming by the redrawing of state borders after World War I (1914–18).\n\nAlso, "Kurdish" nationalist party.\nIt was founded in Turkish Kurdistan in 1978 and sought to establish an independent Kurdish state in southeastern Turkey. It attacked Turkish interests and fellow Kurds suspected of collaboration with the Turkish government, often from bases in Iraq and Syria. The group's leader, Abdullah Öcalan, was arrested by Turkey in 1999 and was thereafter tried and convicted of treason. At its peak, it claimed 5,000–10,000 members.
839541
they dont....because sunnis dont take the shia hadiths....but  its really strange.....that when shia and sunni compromise,, the shia try to persuade  sunnies from their books (EG: muslim and Bukhari).....yet they are still stubborn. and dont want to beleive shias...ans how the sunnis try to interpret according to how they want it....they dont intrepret the whole thing.
971550
Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. The differences between these two main sub-groups within Islam initially stemmed not from spiritual differences, but political ones. Over the centuries, however, these political differences have spawned a number of varying practices and positions which have come to carry a spiritual significance.\nThe division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation. Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. This is what was done, and the Prophet Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, became the first Caliph of the Islamic nation. The word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."\n\nOn the other hand, some Muslims share the belief that leadership should have stayed within the Prophet's own family, among those specifically appointed by him, or among Imams appointed by God Himself.\n\nThe Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali. Throughout history, Shia Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, choosing instead to follow a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself. The word "Shia" in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people. The commonly-known term is shortened from the historical "Shia-t-Ali," or "the Party of Ali." They are also known as followers of "Ahl-al-Bayt" or "People of the Household" (of the Prophet).\n\nFrom this initial question of political leadership, some aspects of spiritual life have been affected and now differ between the two groups of Muslims.\n\nShia Muslims believe that the Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority is infallible as it comes directly from God. Therefore, Shia Muslims often venerate the Imams as saints and perform pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in the hopes of divine intercession. Sunni Muslims counter that there is no basis in Islam for a hereditary privileged class of spiritual leaders, and certainly no basis for the veneration or intercession of saints. Sunni Muslims contend that leadership of the community is not a birthright, but a trust that is earned and which may be given or taken away by the people themselves.\n\nShia Muslims also feel animosity towards some of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, based on their positions and actions during the early years of discord about leadership in the community. Many of these companions (Abu Bakr, Umar, Aisha, etc.) have narrated traditions about the Prophet's life and spiritual practice. Shia Muslims reject these traditions (hadith) and do not base any of their religious practices on the testimony of these individuals. This naturally gives rise to some differences in religious practice between the two groups. These differences touch all detailed aspects of religious life: prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.\n\nSunni Muslims make up the majority (85%) of Muslims all over the world. Significant populations of Shia Muslims can be found in Iran and Iraq, and large minority communities in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, and Lebanon.\n\nIt is important to remember that despite all of these differences in opinion and practice, Shia and Sunni Muslims share the main articles of Islamic belief and are considered by most to be brethren in faith. In fact, most Muslims do not distinguish themselves by claiming membership in any particular group, but prefer to call themselves simply, "Muslims."\n\nFor more detailed information about the historical context of the Shia/Sunni split, and modern-day interpretations and repe
926893
Mav sweetie take it from a man who knows what he's talking about.\n\nregardless of the (minor) religious difference Sunnis and Shiites lived together in peace for centuries.\nit wasn't until the invasion of Iraq when hell broke loose. at first, the Iraqis rejoiced when the US military over thrown the Ba'th regime of Saddam Hussein.\n\nnow we have the Iraqi people (Sunnis and Shiites) and Al Qaida (foreign fighters from all over the Mideast and mostly Sunnis) in Iraq right.\nAl Qaida in Iraq are committed to fight the Americans in Iraq to the bitter end until we either get out or get killed. that's how they think.\n\nafter the first few months the majority of the Iraqis who "rejoiced" when Saddam was caught, started to get tired of the US occupation and the militias started to grow. \nin the beginning there was no fighting between Shiites and Sunnis at all. all the fighting was basically against the US and UK. Sunni  Iraqis who wanted to get involved in this joined Al Qaida (foreign Arabs) and Shiites Iraqis joined Al Mahdi Army in Baghdad's Sadr city.\nnow this Mahdi militia was showing our troops hell until the US Army had to make a truce with their leader Muqtada Al Sadr and promised him that the new regime will be controlled by Shiites instead Sunnis who ruled Iraq for many many years under Saddam's regime.\n\nSunnis see this as treason and therefore justify killing the "traitors". they started bombing Shiite neighborhoods, mosques, and markets.\nbottom line is our military is some what responsible for all the sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites. \n\nin my opinion both Shiites and Sunnis who do kill innocent people for no reason other than being Sunni or Shiites (civilians) are vicious animals and don't deserve to breath. \nunfortunately the civil war has erupted and there's nothing we can do to stop it. \nmark my words. this current regime will not last for too long.\n\nit's a sad sad situation Mav :o(