Shiites in the Arab world

Islam is historically divided into two major sects: Sunni and Shī‘a Islam each having their own sub-sects. Large number of Shī‘a Arab Muslims live in some Arab countries including Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE and Qatar. Shī‘a Muslims are a numerical majority in Iraq and Bahrain and make up a plurality in Lebanon. Smaller Shī‘a groups are present in Egypt and Jordan. Despite the heavy presence of Shī‘a Muslims in some Arab countries, particularly amongst the population of the Persian Gulf Arab countries, they have been treated poorly throughout history. Additionally in recent times, Shī‘a Muslims alongside with Kurds have faced genocideFact|date=November 2007 by the pan-Arabist regime of Saddam Hussein. For both historical and political reasons, the Shī‘a have fared rather poorly in much of the Arab world, and the topic of Shi‘ism and Shī‘a groups are among the most sensitive issues for the Sunni elite. [ The Arab Shi'a: The Forgotten Muslims by Graham E. Fuller and Rend Rahim Francke (Paperback - Sep 22, 2001) ] This article discusses both the history of Shī‘a Islam in the Arab world from the dawn of Islam and their current situation in the Arabic speaking world.

History

Yemen

Arab Shiites in Yemen have been traditionally suppressed, often violently. [See:
*http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/pothot/articles/20060213.aspx
*http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/006834.php] Massacres have taken place by government forces using tanks and airplanes to obliterate the uprising of Shia groups in the country. [See:
*http://www.sharifnews.com/?4316
*http://sharifnews.com/?5146]

Saudi Arabia

The Shī‘as of Saudi Arabia live predominately in Al-Ahsa and Qatif provinces although large numbers are scattered throughout the kingdom. Ismai'li Shī‘as also are significant in Najran.The official state position of Saudi Arabia supported by state-backed theologians consider Shī‘a Muslims as heretics [Milton Viorst, "In The Shadow Of The Prophet",Published by Westview Press, 2001. pg 212:"Not only had the state discriminated against the Shi'ites; the Ulama officially regarded them as heretics. Many Saudi Shi'ites had fled abroad, where they maintained opposition organizations and published opposition journals"] . Since the Wahabi takeover with the help of the Saudi family, Shī‘as were subjected to the harsh, puritanical and anti-Shī‘a ideology of the Wahabis backed by the state. By the 1925 the Saud family had taken Mecca and Medina and through the alliance with the Ikhwan, they damaged important Shi'i tombs in the latter city and were only prevented from destroying the tomb of Muhammad by the personal intervention of Ibn Saud. The harshness of Wahabi rule was relaxed when in 1929-1930, Ibn Saud turned on the Ikhwan and destroyed them. From that time onward, although open manifestation of Shī‘a Islam is prohibited, Shī‘as are better tolerated than the era of 1913-1929. In contemporary Saudi Arabia, the Shī‘a have been denied any significant position in the government and lack autonomy in their regional affairs. Shī‘a are excluded from at least 50 percent of Saudi universities and research institutions.Fact|date=November 2007 The testimony of the Shī‘a Muslims is not permitted in the court and there are no Shī‘a judges in Saudi courts. [Graham E. Fuller and Rend Rahim Francke. "The Arab Shi'a: The Forgotten Muslims". 2001. pg 184-185.]

Iraq

Iraqi Shī‘as are predominately situated in the southern part of Iraq, in Baghdad (the capital), Karbala, Najaf, Hilla, al Diwaniyah, all throughout the south until Basra. Unlike other sects of Islam, the Shī‘as of Iraq have been treated horrifically under the regime of Saddam Hussein—many Iraqi Shī‘as of Persian descent were expelled from the country in the 1980s, despite being the majority of the country at 63%.

Egypt

According to Brian Whitaker, in Egypt, the small Shia population is harassed by the authorities and treated with suspicion, being arrested - ostensibly for security reasons - but then being subjected to torrents of abuse by state security officers for their religious beliefs. [ [http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/brian_whitaker/2007/07/a_green_light_to_oppression.html Comment is free: A green light to oppression ] ]

Lebanon

http://www.ahram.org.eg/acpss/eng/ahram/2004/7/5/EGYP72.HTM

References

ee also

*Historical Shia-Sunni relations