Islam: Shi'a & Sunni muslims

Currently the second largest religion with almost 2 billion followers worldwide, Islam dates back nearly 1,300 years. As with all other major world religions, Islam has developed into many different branches, which each have characteristics that make them distinct, yet similar.

Those who follow Islam believe that the religion was founded in 610 CE when Muhammad first began having revelations God. These revelations are then said to have formed the Quran, the holy book by which Muslims live their lives by. Different branches of Islam evolved as the followers disagreed over who was Muhammad’s successor. Consequently, although each denomination has its differences, at their very core they share the same beliefs, many of which are the foundations of Islam itself.

Each denomination shares their beliefs in monotheism, as well as following the same Holy Book.

Although many members of both of the denominations have successfully co-existed for centuries, they are different in their organisation, laws and rituals, amongst many other factors. Numerous conflicts in modern history have highlighted these differences even further with catastrophic effects.

The main denominations of Islam that can be found today are Sunni, Shi’a, Ibadi, Ahmadiyya, and Sufism.

Sunni is the largest branch of Islam, representing between 89-90% of all of its followers. They can be found in the Middle East, in particular in Saudi Arabia and Egypt which boasts a large Sunni community. What makes this denominations different from the rest is their belief that Muhammad did not appoint a particular successor to carry on his message following his death. After much debate, the followers decided on Abu Bakr Siddique, one of Muhammad’s many fathers-in law, as his successor.

Sunni muslims make up around 90% of the whole population of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

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