Religion
Related: About this forumFive Facts You Need to Know about Iraq, its Religious Minorities, & ISIS
Posted on August 12, 2014 | By kenchitwood
The headlines are currently filled with reports and claims of widespread persecution of religious minorities at the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS, also known as ISIL) rebels in Iraq and Syria. The word genocide has even begun to appear.
For the shrewd observer, there is much to discern and not every news source, social media feed, or blog can be trusted to convey a factual picture. The situation is particularly sensitive, and in need of astute investigation, due to the potential reality of widespread persecution, genocide, and slaughter of innocents.
Well corroborated reports verify there is religious persecution of minorities occurring in Iraq. ISIS rebels, motivated by a confluence of religious, political, and cultural factors, are threatening, attacking, and murdering those who do not conform to their religious ideals including Yazidis, Christians, and Shia Muslims. But, the situation is not as simple as Muslims are embarking on a genocide of Christians and understanding a bit of Iraqs religious demographics, history, and the story of minority religions can help paint a clearer picture. Here are five things you need to about Iraq, ISIS, & the regions religious minorities:
1. IRAQ IS NOT A MUSLIM NATION
Its easy to assume that Iraq is a Muslim nation given that an estimated 97% of its population is Muslim. Nuff said
right? The reality is much more convoluted.
The countrys Muslim population is divided between the Shia (60-65%) and Sunni (32-37%) faithful. The Shia (also known as Shiite) are a minority within the global Muslim population (11-12%, compared to Sunnis 87-89%) and only claim a majority in Iraq, Iran, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan (some recent claims also say Lebanon). Shiism developed after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, when his followers split over who would lead Islam. The Shia branch favored Muhammads cousin and son-in-law Ali Ibn Abi Talib. Ali and the Shia were defeated by the Sunni and over time the political divide between the two groups broadened to include theological distinctions. Shias include Ithna Asharis (Twelvers), Ismailis, Zaydis, Alevis and Alawites.
http://blog.chron.com/sacredduty/2014/08/five-facts-you-need-to-know-about-iraq-its-religious-minorities-isis/
CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)who have little knowledge about the culture, religion or history of the region.
elleng
(131,142 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)There was quite a bit in there I never heard of before.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)So complex.