Shia and Sunni Islam

Full Answer Section

• Sunni and Shia Muslims have different interpretations of Islam, which have led to conflict and violence throughout history.

Slide 3: Points of conflict

• Sunni and Shia Muslims differ on a number of theological and historical issues, including:
  • The rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad
  • The role of the clergy
  • The interpretation of the Quran and Hadith
• These differences have led to sectarian violence and terrorism throughout history.

Slide 4: Historical background

• The Sunni-Shia split dates back to the 7th century, shortly after the death of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr, one of the Prophet's closest companions, was the rightful successor to the Prophet.
• Shia Muslims believe that Ali, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, was the rightful successor to the Prophet.
• Over the centuries, the Sunni-Shia split has widened and sectarian violence has become more common.

Slide 5: Shared beliefs

• Despite their differences, Sunni and Shia Muslims share many of the same beliefs, including:
  • Belief in one God, Allah
  • Belief in the Prophet Muhammad as the last prophet of Allah
  • Belief in the Quran as the word of Allah
  • Belief in the five pillars of Islam: Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (almsgiving), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)
• Sunni and Shia Muslims also share many of the same religious practices and traditions.

Slide 6: Antipathy toward the West

• Antipathy toward the West is not an automatic position for either Sunni or Shia Muslims.
• However, some Sunni and Shia Muslims have developed anti-Western views due to a number of factors, including:
  • Western colonialism and imperialism in the Muslim world
  • Western support for authoritarian regimes in the Muslim world
  • Western military interventions in the Muslim world
• Some Sunni and Shia Muslims believe that the West is a threat to Islam and Muslim values.

Slide 7: Predominantly Sunni and Shia countries

[Insert map of the Muslim world with countries labeled as predominantly Sunni or Shia]

Slide 8: Sunni terrorist groups

• Examples of Sunni terrorist groups include:
  • Al-Qaeda
  • ISIS
  • Boko Haram
• These groups have carried out a number of terrorist attacks around the world, including the 9/11 attacks, the 7/7 attacks in London, and the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.

Slide 9: Shia terrorist groups

• Examples of Shia terrorist groups include:
  • Hezbollah
  • Kataib Hezbollah
  • Asaib Ahl al-Haq
• These groups have carried out a number of terrorist attacks in the Middle East, including the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires and the 2010 Karbala bombings in Iraq.

Slide 10: Counterterrorism

• Counterterrorism authorities should prepare for both Sunni and Shia terrorism in a similar way.
• Both Sunni and Shia terrorist groups share some common goals and tactics.
• However, counterterrorism authorities should also be aware of the specific differences between Sunni and Shia terrorist groups.
• For example, Sunni terrorist groups are more likely to target Western targets, while Shia terrorist groups are more likely to target regional rivals.

Slide 11: Conclusion

• The Sunni-Shia split is a complex issue with a long history.
• It is important to understand the differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims in order to understand terrorism and national security.
• Counterterrorism authorities should prepare for both Sunni and Shia terrorism in a similar way, while also being aware of the specific differences between the two groups.

Slide 12: Questions?

This presentation is just a brief overview of the Sunni-Shia split and its implications for terrorism and national security. For more information, please consult the following resources:

• "The Sunni-Shia Split: A Brief History" by

Sample Solution

Slide 1: Title slide

Slide 2: Introduction

• Islam is the second largest religion in the world, with over 1.8 billion followers.
• The two main branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia.
• Sunni Muslims make up about 85-90% of the global Muslim population, while Shia Muslims make up about 10-15%.