The Origins of the Shia-Sunni Split

If you watch the news at all you no doubt have heard about violence between the Shia's and Sunni's. But most likely you have no idea who these groups are. In fact when I hear people arguing about the situation in Iraq I like to ask them if they know who the Shia and Sunnis are. Most of the time I get a blank stare. So I am going to provide as much information as I can in this article in hopes of educating a few people.

Here is a link that explains who the Shia are:
The Shia:

Here is a link that explains who the Sunnis are:
The Sunnis:

Now what happened to cause these two groups to spilt and such violence to develop?

Follow this link to watch a slideshow that gives the history of the spilt:











Here are links to a great series on the Shia-Sunni Split:

Part 1: The Origins of the Shia-Sunni Split

Part 2: Shia Rise Amid Century of Mideast Turmoil

Part 3: Export of Iran's Revolution Spawns Violence

Part 4: Iraq War Deepens Sunni-Shia Divide

Part 5: Shia-Sunni Conflict Forces U.S. Shift in Iraq

Profiles: Key Individuals in the Shia-Sunni Divide

Chronology: A History of the Shia-Sunni Split

One Thousand Years of Shiite History