...Suzette Beaudoin Professor J Latta HUM 1024 February 25, 2014 Transcendental Religion The Shia seems to be the most transcendental religion. It is one of two major denominations of Islam. About ten to twenty percent of the world’s Muslims are Shia’s. Majority of the Shia lives in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and a politically significant minority in Lebanon. Shia comes from the Arabic word meaning a supportive party of people, also known as followers of Ahl-al-Bayt.("Shia and Sunni Muslims ") During the prayer, the Shias places their forehead onto a piece of natural occurring material, something like a clay tablet, soil from Karbala; this was where Hussein ibn Ali was martyred. They pray with their hands open at their sides. They don’t use a prayer rug. Most of the Shia’s belong to the Twelver tradition, also known as the Ithna `Ashariya.("Who are the Shia? ~ Shia Sects ) This tradition seems to recognize a sequence of 12 imams. Imams are believed to have superhuman powers and were the descendants of Muhammad, and they were the sole interpreter of the Quran and Islamic faith. These descendants started with Ali and went to his sons and ended with Muhammad al-Mahdi. These imams can speak all languages, and they had knowledge of the future. Shia’s believe that Mahdi will return as the apocalyptic savor.(Halm 216) The Shia’s believe that the Imam is sinless by nature and that his authority is reliable since it comes directly from God. They think that Imams as saints so they perform...
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...Shia and Sunni Shia and Sunni are the two main denominations in Islam. Around 87–89% of the world's Muslims are Sunni while the rest of 11–12% is Shia, most Shias belongs to the Twelver tradition and the rest divided between many groups. Sunnis majority is in most of the Muslim communities such as Southeast Asia, China, South Asia, Africa, and most of the Arab continent. Majority of the Shia citizen’s population is in Iraq, Iran, Bahrain, and also a politically significant minority in Lebanon. Indonesia has the largest number of Sunnis, on the other hand Iran has the largest number of Shia Muslim in the world. Pakistan has the second largest Sunni and also Shia Muslim population in the world. Sunni and Shia split lies in the schism which occurred when the Islamic prophet Muhammad passed on in the year 632, leading to a dispute over succession to Muhammad as a caliph of the Islamic community spread across the world, this led to the Battle of Siffin. The dispute intensified greatly after the Battle of Karbala, in which Hussein Ibn Ali and his household were killed by the ruling of Umayyad Caliph Yazid I, and the revenge has divided in the early of Islamic community. Today, there are several differences in religious practice, traditions, and customs, often related to jurisprudence. Furthermore all Muslim consider the Quran to be divine, but the Sunni and Shia have different opinions and interpretation on hadith....
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...regardless of the Sunni and Shia peoples’ beliefs. These uprising difficulties have caused disturbances within the civilians of various countries in the middle east, political complications between the middle east and western regions as well as global fear of unknown uprising terror attacks. The rise of ISIS, explained in 6 minutes by “Vox” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzmO6RWy1v8 Despite the short length of this six minute video, it contains extensive content to provide all viewers with general information on the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The video thoroughly...
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...Sunni and Sh’ia: The Branches of Islam By Kendra Craig March 5, 2010 Strayer University Abstract The paper is focused on Sunni and Sh’ia, which are two branches of Islam. The paper will compare the different religious belief that is practiced throughout Islam. It will also show the laws and the cultures of each religious branch. The paper will show the major dispute that caused separation of these religions in Islam. Sunni and Sh’ia Sunni and Sh’ia are two of the most dominate cultures in Islam. In my research, I learned that these two branches were among the worst enemies of the Islamic culture. In this paper I will show the differences in the belief of each religious group. I will also show the division within the Islamic community between these groups. Sunni Muslims are individuals that were firm believers in the prophet Muhammad. The words that were spoken through Muhammad influenced and provided them with strong religious belief. Sunni means “customary practices” (Macmillan Reference USA 2001-2006) which referred to the teaching and preaching of Muhammad. The Sh’ia Muslims are individuals that believe that the political leader position should have gone to Ali (Penay). Sh’ia means “group” or faction”. After the death of Muhammad is when things began to turn for the worst between these communities. The main belief of the Sunni Muslims was those that came after Muhammad were true believers of Muhammad teachings. This allowed them to become comfortable with...
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...not Iraq was the global centre for violent conflict between different Muslim sects. In 1947, British India was divided on religious lines and two nation-states India and Pakistan emerged. The British educated founding fathers of Pakistan perceived a united India as being detrimental to Muslims because as a minority Muslims would be not be recognized as equals by the Hindu majority state which would also suppress their rights so the concept of Pakistan was formulated as a nation-state where some aspects of liberal democracy would be implanted so that fairness and non-interference would be the norm. In the 1970s partly because of violent challenges to the state by ethno-nationalist movements partly inspired by uneven economic development and the upheavals in the international arena due to the Cold War, there was a major shift away from pluralistic politics and a move towards greater Islamisation beginning with the narrowing of the definition of a Muslim by the state in which the state gave up its neutrality. Additional government legislation imposing uniform religious taxes widen sectarian differences between the Sunni majority and Shia minority. By not initially accommodating Shia collective demands the state had alienated many of them. The subsequent and reluctant autonomy awarded to the Shias implied that the state recognized them which made Sunni militants fear that the Pakistani nation-state was not synonymous with Sunni Islam. Pakistan is probably the country which has the...
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...relationships between the conflicting parties. On the contrary, if not well managed and either of the conflicting parties feels oppressed by the outcome, a more severe conflict may arise that might lead to either of the parties hurting each other for the purpose of revenge to prove their point. Syria is a country that lived very peaceful a few years ago, however, a mild conflict between two Muslim parties that was there for centuries since the death of Prophet Muhammad led to another conflict that was inflicted politically. The political conflict then resulted in some citizens...
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...Drugs are substances that cause chemical reactions in the body. Medical drugs relieve disease and illness, and are extensively tested before being used. Recreational drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco, are taken by people because they like the effects they have on their bodies, but they are addictive. Other change-causing substances, both legal and illegal, include solvents, painkillers, sedatives and stimulants. Opiates (such as morphine) are useful for pain-relief in terminally ill patients, but they can be misused as illegal recreational drugs that are very addictive Cannabis Cannabis is an illegal drug that can be smoked, producing feelings of well-being. But like tobacco it can cause lung cancer and bronchitis. Unlike tobacco, it can cause permanent damage to the mental health of its users. Research has shown that cannabis has some useful painkilling properties, but it is illegal to prescribe it for this use. Caffeine Stimulants include caffeine - found in cola drinks and coffee, cannabis and amphetamines. They increase the transmission of signals from one nerve cell to the next. This increases alertness, heart rate and breathing rate. However, in the longer term, they can produce 'highs' and then extreme 'lows' or even depression. They can be addictive because the body needs a constant top-up to maintain the effect Heroine Painkillers or analgesics include paracetamol, aspirin, heroin and morphine. They block nerve impulses from the painful part of the body, or block...
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...Conflict and Conflict Transformation in Pakistan “Sectarian conflict is typically regarded as a clash between two exclusive models of a sacred cosmos, which do not allow space to each other”. The problem of sectarianism emerged just after the partition when the concept of majoritarianism was imposed in the Pakistani state to marginalize the religious and sectarian minorities. Although the constitution of Pakistan declares that all citizens have equal status and outlaws religious discrimination, the state favored Sunnis. As Saudi Arabia and Iran are traditional rivals of each other on sectarian basis, they fought their actual battle in Pakistan. The issue is not new to us, the root cause of the problem is the Sunni interpretation of Islamic laws, and Sunni oriented educational curricula, emergence of separate areas of residence and a public discourse that Shias are not true Muslims. Several extremist groups were made on basis of these concepts and they started to function the conflict through excessive use of power. The conflict exists between the Muslims but the difference is that it is very violent now which led the displacement of people, breakdown of local support system and brutalization of social attitudes. The state has failed to play an active role in peace building, stopping violence, providing relief and bringing criminals to justice. The relations between Shias and Sunnis are worse than ever and the underlying conflict has not been resolved. Conflict brings to the surface...
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...Functions By Shalonda Reddick HUM 400 0030016 Religion And Philosophy There are three Major divisions of Islam Sunni, Shi’ah, and Khawarij. The Sunni Muslims are the largest denomination of Islam. The word Sunni comes from the word Sunnah, which means the teachings and actions or examples of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. Therefore, the term “Sunni” refers to those who follow or maintain the Sunnah of the prophet Muhammad. The Sunnis believe that Muhammad did not specifically appoint a successor to lead the Muslim ummah (community) before his death, and after an initial period of confusion, a group of his most prominent companions gathered and elected Abu Bakr Siddique-Muhammad’s close friend and a father-in-law-as the first caliph(head of state or ruler in and Islamic community) of Islam Sunnis also believe that the position of caliph may be attained democratically, on gaining majority votes, but after the Rashidun, the position turned into a heredity dynastic rule because of the divisions that started by the Shias and others. The Sunnis believe in monotheism, prophethood/messengership, Holy books, Angels, Judgment Day, and Predestination. The Sunnis consist of five pillars- Declaration of Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting, and Pilgrimage. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_schools_and_branches The Sunni emphasize the power and sovereignty of Allah and his right to do whatever he wants with his creation, as strict predeterminism is taught. Its...
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...Years of violent conflicts, those between warring Afghan factions, the superpowers of Cold War Russia and now the United States and its allies, have left the rebuilding of Afghanistan in political and economic limbo. Many of the physical and social infrastructures are debilitated, the economy barely functions, the population's health and nutritional status is among the lowest anywhere, and internal security is lacking. Also, Afghanistan poses a potential threat to richer countries as an exporter of drugs and terrorism. This combination of factors makes the engagement in Afghanistan a particularly fragile one. In this paper, the following points will be expounded upon: theoretical approach, in regards to international relations; an assessment of the security situation in Afghanistan and an effective approach to combat the threats; how a struggling economy can be helped that is plagued with corruption; key components of identity for this nation, ethnicity, religion and women; and finally, some recommendations on how to get this nation back on track. There must be an investment in Afghan-led development and peacebuilding. Billions of dollars are poured into reconstruction and development in Afghanistan but have shown few results and often contributed to corruption and conflict. I remember procuring aircrafts and setting up missions to pickup pallets full of medical supplies, but days later, I tried to coordinate with my Afghani counterparts to see how their inventories of...
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...Introduction This paper will discuss about the history of Islam, the importance of three elements Qur’an, Five pillars, and Ramadan. Lastly differences and similarities in how the branches of Islam (Sunni, Shiite, and Sufi) practice their traditions. Islam is a religion that was founded and based all in one faith God, Allah. In Arabic the word Islam means "submission or surrender of one's will to the only true god worthy of worship (Islam, 2016). Islam is not just a religion it is a way of life. A Muslim is someone who follows the religion of Islam. The relationship between these two words is that Islam is actually an Arabic word that means, "to submit, and Muslim is also Arabic for "one who submits (The root, 2010). Islam is a religion in which, like any other religion, has beliefs and traditions that have been passed down through different generations. History of Islam Islam is one of the largest religions in the world, with over 1 billion followers. The most divine statement or “Shahada” in Islam is (bibilical training, 2015). There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger. Islam was established in Arabia and it follows all the rules given by God through Muhammad, the prophet. Islam is an Arabic term that signifies “surrender” in general terms (The root, 2010). However, it signifies giving up fully to God in its exact religious meaning. Muslims are those who practice this religion or those who give up themselves to God. For them, God is the ultimate creator who will...
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...Understanding the Cultural Differences of Islam Muslims differ significantly in their evaluations of the importance of religion based on the region they are located. There are variations of views on such topics of education, prayer, worshiping and morality found in different regions. In this paper I will argue that many differences that exist between various Islamic communities can be explained by understanding the role of regionally specific political problems and cultural practices outside of the Islamic tradition. Though people around the world practice an allegedly unified Islam, their understandings of the tradition reflect the specific local contexts and circumstances of individuals, communities, and nations. The challenge of western colonialism caused Muslims to be against European imperialism as it threatened their political, religious and cultural identity. Their responses to colonialism varied from rejection and confrontation to admiration and imitation (PP Islam and the West 24). Showing how reactions to westernization can be specific to region. The country Turkey operates one example of a nonviolent revolution. In Turkey, Islam was showing a more dominant position is the social-economic and political life of society. With the acceptance of westernization, Turkey had been able to experience the power of religion in Muslim politics cordially. A little to the East, the Iranian revolution in Iran reinforced the belief that Muslims wanted to emulate the ideas of the...
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...Comparative Analysis: 1. Differences between Jewish denominations, which are more commonly known as "movements," reflect varying responses to changing times and cultures. The historical Jewish movements (Pharisses, Sadduccees, and Essenes) were responses to the Roman rule of Israel, while the major modern movements (Reform, Orthodox, and Conservative) are responses to the modern, secular culture of Europe and America. Jewish denominations differ from one another primarily with regard to practice. Orthodox Judaism is the most traditional expression of modern Judaism. Orthodox Jews believe the entire Torah - including "Written," the the Pentateuch, and "Oral," the Talmud) was given to Moses by God at Sinai and remains authoritative for modern life in its entirety. Reform Judaism is the most liberal expression of Judaism. In America, Reform Judaism is organized under the Union for Reform Judaism (known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations until 2003), whose mission is "to create and sustain vibrant Jewish congregations wherever Reform Jews live." About 1.5 million Jews in 900 synagogues are members of the Union for Reform Judaism. Conservative Judaism may be said to be a moderate position between Orthodox and Reform Judaism. It seeks to conserve the traditional elements of Judaism, while allowing for modernization to a less radical extent than Reform Judaism. The teachings of Zacharias Frankel (1801-75) form the foundation of Conservative Judaism. Hasidic...
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...ethnic groups” ( Michaels 2014). During the period of Iraq’s existence, tensions between all of these ethnic groups have emerged due...
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...Arthur Miller said that “the underlying struggle is that of the individual attempting to gain his ‘rightful’ position in his society.” In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, discrimination and bigotry is a major theme in the novel. Religious, political, and ethnic issues in Afghanistan from 1963 to 1981 and family backgrounds made upward social mobility impossible and racial intolerance common. The Kite Runner is set in Kabul, Afghanistan, a society where social classes are determined by ethnicity and religion. Two ethnic groups and Muslim sects are focused on in this novel; the Pashtuns are the dominant ethnic group and Sunni Muslims, and the Hazaras are the minority group of Mongolian descent and Shia Muslims. The fighting between Sunnis and Shias, Pashtuns and Hazaras has continued for centuries; the Hazaras have been constantly oppressed, and limited to lowly positions in society like servants and slaves. It is evident that social mobility is nonexistent in Afghanistan because religious and ethnic tension is deeply ingrained in society. Assef’s words represent the view of the majority of...
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