Religion In Iraq

The main religion in Iraq is Islam. Islam was founded as a religion by Mohammed in the seventh century. It has two branches, the Sunnis and the Shiites.

Mohammed founded the first state of Islam, North of Mecca, Saudi Arabia in the year 622.

The successors of Mohammed are called caliphs. The Sunnis believe the first four caliphs were the rightful successors to Mohammed. The caliphs and their heirs ruled the Arab world until the end of World War I when the Ottoman Empire was broken apart.

Shiites believe that the heirs of the fourth caliph named Ali were the only rightful successors of Mohammed.

The problems began after Mohammed died in 632. The people could not agree if his successors should be from Mohammed's bloodline or if the leaders should be chosen because they would closely follow the beliefs set down by Mohammed.

So the Sunnis chose Abu Bakr who was Mohammed's advisor to lead the Muslim world. The Shiites chose Ali who was Mohammed's cousin and son-in-law. Ali and all of his descendants are called imam by the Shiites.

The 11th imam died in 874 and his small son disappeared from his father's funeral. Shiites believe he was hidden by their god, allah.

Shiites still prepare for this son's return from allah to lead them.

In 656 Ali's supporters, the Shiites, murdered the third caliph. Then the Sunnis murdered Ali's son, Husain.

After this, there was a lot of fighting between the Sunnis and the Shiites over religion in the Middle East and it still goes on today. The Sunnis won the victory and still hold control with the majority of people of the Islamic faith.

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