There are divisions among Muslim societies in the Middle East over religion. Describe two of the groups, their beliefs, and what led to this conflict.

Question

There are divisions among Muslim societies in the Middle East over religion. Describe two of the groups, their beliefs, and what led to this conflict.

Use the information below to compose a short essay answer consisting of three to four sentences. Be sure to use complete sentences with proper punctuation. Include Social Studies key vocabulary.

A complete answer will include the following information:

explains the two differing opinions about religious involvement in government
explains how the religious conflict started and why it continues
uses key facts, names, and vocabulary found in the lesson

Answer 1

One group in the Middle East with differing beliefs on religious involvement in government is the Sunni Muslims. They believe that political power should be held by a caliph, who is elected based on his religious qualifications. Another group is the Shia Muslims, who believe that political power should be held by a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, known as an Imam. This conflict started after the death of Prophet Muhammad, when there was a disagreement over who should succeed him as the leader of the Muslim community. This disagreement led to a division within the Muslim community, with the formation of the Sunni and Shia branches. The conflict continues today due to ongoing power struggles and political disputes between Sunni and Shia-majority countries.