DISCUSSION TOPIC: SUNNIS, SHIITES AND SUFIS

Some Questions

• What is the source of the split between Sunnis and Shiites?  What else distinguishes them?

• Which is the larger group today?  What percentage of the world's Muslim population is Sunni?

• What are the most important countries with Shiite majorities or substantial minorities?

• What do you make of the apparent fact that the factional struggles of the 7th century are still with us today?  To what extent does ancient history influence contemporary events, including the war in Iraq?  How important is the 7th century to understanding the 21st century?

• How, from the perspective of 1500 years of history, would you explain Shia's radical edge?  What role historically has martyrdom played in Shia theology?  What role do Ali and Hussein play here?

• What is Sufism and what is its history?  What role does Sufism play in the world today?

• Identify the following terms and their relationship to the history of Sunni and Shiite Islam:

Abu Bakr

Ali (661 CE)

Hussein

Karbala (680 CE)

Najaf

Imam Ali Mosque

Ashura

Samarra

Al-Askari Mosque

Mohammed al-Mahd (878 CE) -- 12th Imam

Mahdi

Imams vs. Caliphs

Ayatollah

Valley of Peace

Imam Hussein Mosque

Al-Qaeda

Hezbollah

Hamas

Saddam Hussein

Mahdi Army

Taleban

Rumi

General

• Sunni And Shi'a: A short article from the BBC Religion and Ethics homepage that explains the split.

• "Quick Guide: Sunnis And Shias," BBC News, December 11, 2006.

•   Roger Hardy, "Sunni And Shia: Spectre Of Sectarianism," BBC News, February 20, 2007.

• Damien Cave, "Refresher Course; For Congress -- Telling Sunni from Shiite," New York Times, December 17, 2006.

• Shi'a -- Sunni Relations -- Wikipedia:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

Sunnis

• Sunni Islam -- Wikipedia:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

• Sunni Islam:  An entry from the Jewish Virtual Library.

Shiites

• Shi'a Islam -- Wikipedia:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

•  Pigrimage And Sacred Sites In Shi'te Iran

•   Battle Of Karbala -- Wikipedia:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

•   Imam Husayn Shrine -- Wikipedia: An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

• "Ashura":  A short overview from the BBC Religions page.

•   Day Of Ashura -- Wikipedia:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

• "Ashura -- Shia Festival," Guardian Unlimited, February 3, 2004.

•   Imam Ali Mosque -- Wikipedia: An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

• History Of The Holy Shrine Of Imam Ali:

•   Al-Askari Mosque: An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

• Holiest Sites In Islam (Shia) -- Wikipedia: An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

• History Of The Shrine Of Imam Ali Al-Naqi And Imam Hasan Ali-askari, Peace Be Upon Them:

• Persecution Of Shia Muslims -- Wikipedia:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

• Category -- Shi'a Islam -- Wikipedia:  An index of articles from the on-line encyclopedia.

Sufis

• "Sufism":  A section of the BBC Religion and Ethics homepage.

•   Sufism -- Wikipeida:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

• "Blast At Famed Indian Sufi Shrine," BBC News, October 11, 2007.

•   Charles Haviland, "The Roar Of Rumi -- 800 Years On," BBC News, September 30, 2007.

•   Roxana Saberi, "Growing Popularity Of Sufism In Iran," BBC News, April 25, 2006.

•   Elizabeth Blunt, "Senegal's Powerful Brotherhoods," BBC News, September 22, 2005.

•   Asim Butt, "Pakistan's Mystical Islam Thrives," BBC News, August 11, 2005.

•   Charu Shahne, "Bitter Sweet Evening In Kabul," BBC News, October 26, 2002.

•   Peter Greste, "Sufi Renaissance After Taleban Fall," BBC News, December 9, 2001.

•   Razia Iqbal, "Looking East For Inspiration," BBC News, July 19, 2000.

Iraq War And Islamic History

• Jack Healy, "2 Blasts Near Shiite Holy Sites In Iraq," New York Times, November 8, 2010.

• Timothy Williams and Duraid Adnan, "Sunnis In Iraq Allied With U.S. Rejoin Rebels," New York Times, October 16, 2010.

•   Anthony Shadid, "Martyrs In The Valley Of Peace," New York Times, September 2, 2010.

• "Blast At Shiite Shrine Sets Off Sectarian Fury In Iraq," New York Times, August 3, 2010.

•   Gabriel Gatehouse, "Najaf's Return As A Religious Tourist Destination," From Our Own Correspondent, BBC Radio 4, February 27, 2010.

• Timothy Williams, "A Model Of Harmony Is Found In A Flashpoint City For Iraqi Sectarian Fighting," New York Times, February 21, 2010.

• "Bombings Hit Iraq Shia Pilgrims In Karbala," BBC News, February 5, 2010.

•   Steven Lee Myers, "Scores Killed In Attack On Shiite Pilgrims In Iraq," New York Times, February 1, 2010.

•   Rod Nordland, "Sunnis And Shiites See An Omen For Reconciliation In Iraq," New York Times, August 22, 2009.

• "Iraqi Bombers Kill Shia Muslims," BBC News, August 7, 2009.

•   Natalia Antelava, "Sunnis Fearful Of Iraq Future," BBC News, May 13, 2009.

•   Campbell Robertson and Stephen Farrell, "Iraqi Sunnis Turn To Politics And Renew Strength," New York Times, April 17, 2009.

•   Stephen Farrell, "Baghdad Bridge Reopens, Restitching A Divided Area," New York Times, November 11, 2008.

•   Erica Goode and Mohammed Hussein, "As Bombs Fall Silent, An Iraqi City Rebuilds," New York Times, October 2, 2008.

• Michael R. Gordon, "The Last Battle," New York Times, August 3, 2008.

•   "Dozens Killed Near Iraqi Shrine," BBC News, March 17, 2008.

•   "In Pictures: Shia Pilgrims," BBC News, February 27, 2008.

•    "Iraqi Shia Pilgrims Mark Holy Day," BBC News, January 19, 2008.

•   "In Pictures: Ashura Ceremonies," BBC News, January 19, 2008.

•   Roger Hardy, "Sunni Arabs' Power Struggle In Iraq," BBC News, January 10, 2008.

•   "Voyage Into Iraq's Sunni Centre," BBC News, October 30, 2007.

•   "Many Killed At Iraq Shia Festival," BBC News, August 28, 2007.

•   "Attacks On A Revered Shrine," New York Times, June 13, 2007.

•   "Bomb Kills Many In Iraq Holy City," BBC News, April 28, 2007.

•    "Suicide Attack On Iraqi Holy City," BBC News, April 14, 2007.

•    "In Pictures: Pilgrims In Karbala," BBC News, March 9, 2007.

•   "Scores Of Iraqi Pilgrims Killed," BBC News, March 6, 2007.

•   Marc Santona, "One Year Later, Golden Mosque Is Still In Ruins," New York Times, February 13, 2007.

• "In Pictures: Ashura Festival," BBC News, January 30, 2007.

•   "Attacks As Iraqi Shia Mark Ashura," BBC News, January 30, 2007.

• "Viewpoint: Ashura, Festival Of Devotion," BBC News, January 29, 2007.

• "'Hundreds' Killed In Iraq Battles," BBC News, January 29, 2007.

•   Hugh Sykes, "Sadr City: Restive Shia Stronghold," BBC News, October 30, 2006.

•   "Iraq Clerics Urge End To Violence," BBC News, October 20, 2006.

•   "In Pictures: Karbala Festival," BBC News, September 9, 2006.

•   "Violence Averted At Iraq Festival," BBC News, September 9, 2006.

• Kirk Semple, "10 Are Killed In Bombing Near Shrine Holy To Shiites," New York Times, April 7, 2006.

•   David Gritten, "Long Path To Iraq's Sectarian Split," BBC News, February 25, 2006.

•   "Shia-Sunni Talks On Iraqi Killings," BBC News, February 25, 2006.

• "Iraq Shrine Blast Sparks Protests," BBC News, February 22, 2006.

• "In Pictures: Ashura Festival," BBC News, February 9, 2006.

• "Viewpoint: Ashura, Festival Of Devotion," BBC News, February 9, 2006.

•   Jim Muir, "Iraqi Muslims Are Split Over Eid," BBC News, November 3, 2005.

• Dexter Filkins, "Suicide Bombers Aim At A Shiite Holy Day In Iraq," New York Times, February 20, 2005.

• Jon Leyne, "Analysis: Shia-Sunni Bitter Divide," BBC News, February 18, 2005.

•   "What Is Ashura?," BBC News, February 17, 2005.

•   "Who Are The Iraqi Shia," BBC News, February 17, 2005.

• Kylie Morris, "Najaf's Battle Of Faith," BBC News, August 26, 2004.

•   Patrick Jackson, "Najaf's Hallowed Cemetery," BBC News, August 12, 2004.

•   "Iraqi Shia Holy Shrine 'Damaged,'" BBC News, May 25, 2004.

•   "Cleric Warns On Iraq Holy Cities," BBC News, May 18, 2004.

•   "U.S. Battles Fighters In Iraqi City," BBC News, May 16, 2004.

•   "Iran Leader Condemns U.S. 'Stupidity,'" BBC News, May 16, 2004.

•   Dan Collyns, "UK Muslims March For Shias' Holiest Day," BBC News, April 12, 2004.

•   "Iraqi Shia Festival Nears Climax," BBC News, March 2, 2004.

•   "Iraqi Shias Massacred On Holy Day," BBC News, March 2, 2004.

•   "Shias Stage Anti-U.S. Protest," BBC News, April 23, 2003.

• "In Pictures: Iraq's Shia Rebirth," BBC News, April 22, 2003.

•   "Religious Fervour Grips Iraq's Shia Pilgrims," BBC News, April 22, 2003.

•   "First Iranian Pilgrims Visit Iraq," BBC News, August 15, 1998.

Other News Stories

• Robert F. Worth, "Najran Journal: Muslim Sect Sees Struggle Through Christian Lens," New York Times, October 20, 2010.

•   M. Ilyas Khan, "Analysis: Shia Settlement A Militant Target," BBC News, September 18, 2009.

•   Anees Al-Qudaihi, "Saudi Arabia's Shia Press For Rights," BBC News, March 24, 2009.

•   Alastair Lawson, "Pakistan's Evolving Sectarian Schism," BBC News, February 20, 2009.

•   Caroline Cheetham, "How A Shia Ritual Ended In Court," BBC News, August 27, 2008.

•   Jane Perlez and Pir Zubair Shah, "Power Rising, Taliban Besiege Pakistani Shiites," New York Times, July 26, 2008.

• Jim Muir, "Shia-Sunni Rift Heightens Mid-East Tensions," BBC News, February 3, 2007.

• Magdi Abdelhadi, "Verbal Blows At Shia-Sunni Forum," BBC News, January 22, 2007.

•   "Who Are Hezbollah?," BBC News, July 13, 2006.

• Michael Slackman, "Invoking Islam's Heritage, Iranians Chafe At 'Oppression' By The West," New York Times, February 6, 2006.

•   Zaffar Abbas, "Pakistan's Schisms Spill Into Present," BBC News, October 7, 2004.

Audio And Video

• "Ashura In Afghanistan," New York Times, December 29, 2009.

• "Sunni And Shia Islam," In Our Time, BBC Radio 4, June 25, 2009.

• "Ashura Mourning Ritual," BBC News, January 7, 2009.

• "Shiites Of Iraq: Reaching For Power," National Geographic, 2004.

Articles

• Adam Oler, "A Brief Introduction To The Sunni-Shiite Struggle: Six Key Points," Reporter, 35 (June 2008): 2-9.