Shia – The second largest denomination in Islam after Sunni Islam. Iran, Iraq, Bahrain and Azerbaijan all have Shia majorities. Lebanon and Yemen have large Shia communities relative to their population. Shia in Arabic means Faction, as in those who support the Faction of Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law and cousin. Do not use Shiite. In the first instance, use Shia Muslims. In second instance, as a whole, they description should be given the definite article i.e. the Shia. An individual should be identified with the term as a noun or adjective with Muslim attached i.e. He or she is a Shia Muslim.
(The schism between Sunni and Shia Muslims stems from the early days of Islam and arguments over Prophet Muhammad’s successors as caliph, the spiritual and political leader of Muslims during that period. The Shia wanted the caliphate to descend through Ali, Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law, and his descendants. Ali eventually became the fourth caliph, but he was assassinated; Ali’s son Hussein was massacred with his fighters at Karbala, in what is now Iraq. The Shia considered the later caliphs to be usurpers. The Sunnis no longer have a caliph. The Shia also believe there is a Hidden Imam (spiritual leader) who will reappear one day. In Iran, where they are predominant, the revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was considered the Imam’s deputy on earth. His successor as Supreme Leader holds the same authority.
Titles for the Shia clergy vary depending on country, but these are the most common:
Ayatollah – Used by the Shia, especially in Iran, to denote senior clergymen, such as Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Hojatoleslam – A rank below ayatollah used by the Shia.
Mullah – Lower-level clergy.
Imam – Used by some sects as a title for the prayer leader at a mosque. Among the Shia, it usually has a more exalted connotations.
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Shia, Shiite
Reuters: Use Shi’ite unless in a direct quote.
Sunni, Shi’ite: Muslims are split into two main groups, Sunni and Shi’ite. Sunnis are estimated about 80 per cent of all Muslims and include most Arabs. Sunnis and Shi’ites draw spiritual inspiration from the same source, the Prophet Mohammad, but Shi’ite theologians have much greater freedom of interpretation. As well as adhering to the revelations of the Muslim holy book, the Koran, Sunnis follow the Prophet Mohammad’s rule of life (the Sunna) and traditions based on his sayings. Shi’ites hold that the succession to the Prophet should remain in his own family. Since the direct line was broken not long after the death of Mohammad, Shi’ites believe there is a Hidden Imam (spiritual leader) who will reappear one day. In Iran, where Shi’ites are predominant, the revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was considered the Imam’s deputy on earth. His successor as Supreme Leader holds the same authority Rivalry between Sunnis and Shi’ites extends back to the years following the death of the Prophet Mohammad, when Islam first split over the question of who was the rightful successor. Some hardline Sunnis regard Shi’ites as heretics and Shi’ite minority communities in some parts of the Middle East complain of discrimination.
AP: There are two major divisions in Islam:
–Sunni – The biggest single sect in Islam, comprising about 85 percent of all Muslims. Nations with Sunni majorities include Egypt, Saudi Arabia and most other Arab nations, as well as non-Arab Turkey and Afghanistan. Most Palestinian Muslims and most West African Muslims are Sunnis.
The Saudis sometimes are referred to as Wahhabi Muslims. This is a subgroup within the Sunni branch of Islam.
–Shiite – The second-largest sect. Iran, Iraq, Bahrain and Azerbaijan all have Shiite majorities. Lebanon and Yemen have large Shiite communities relative to their population.
(The schism between Sunni and Shiite stems from the early days of Islam and arguments over Muhammad’s successors as caliph, the spiritual and temporal leader of Muslims during that period. The Shiites wanted the caliphate to descend through Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law. Ali eventually became the fourth caliph, but he was murdered; Ali’s son Hussein was massacred with his fighters at Karbala, in what is now Iraq. Shiites considered the later caliphs to be usurpers. The Sunnis no longer have a caliph.)
Titles for the clergy vary from sect to sect and from country to country, but these are the most common:
Ayatollah – Used by Shiites, especially in Iran, to denote senior clergymen, such as Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Hojatoleslam – A rank below ayatollah.
Mullah – Lower-level clergy.
Imam – Used by some sects as a title for the prayer leader at a mosque. Among the Shiites, it usually has a more exalted connotation.
