Sunni-Shia divide

 Why did the Sunni–Shia divide begin?

The split began in 632 CE, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad.

The disagreement was about who should lead the Muslim community:

Sunnis believed the leader (caliph) should be chosen by consensus.

Shias believed leadership should stay within the Prophet’s family, specifically through Ali ibn Abi Talib, his cousin and son-in-law.

Over time, this political disagreement evolved into theological and cultural differences.

While the split started as a leadership dispute, modern tensions are often about:

 1. Power and Politics

For example:

Iran is majority Shia.

Saudi Arabia is majority Sunni.

Both countries compete for influence in the Middle East.

2. Regional Conflicts

Sunni–Shia divisions have influenced conflicts like:

Iraq after 2003

The Syrian civil war

The Yemen conflict

3. Identity and Governance

In some countries (like Iraq or Bahrain), one sect may form the majority population but not hold political power — leading to tension.

Most Sunnis and Shias live peacefully together.

The tensions become serious mainly when politics, power, and external influence amplify religious differences.

So in summary:

The divide began in 7th-century Arabia.

Today, it is most politically visible in the Middle East.

It is often more about power and geopolitics than everyday religion.