What was Iraq like before Saddam Hussein came to power? Were the Shias and Sunnis living happily side by side? What is the difference between Shias and Sunnis and is there any logical reason for them to hate each other?
2007-01-11 00:34:48 · 3 answers · asked by Dr Watson (UK) 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Iraq was a monarchy until 1958 when there was a coup d'etat by the Iraqi Army. In 1968 the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party assumed control. This is the party of which Saddam Hussein al-Majid al Tikriti gradually took control. The party is predominantly Sunni muslim, whereas the population of Iraq is 60% Shia.
This does not mean it was all sweetness and light before Saddam Hussein however. There are a number of ethnic minority groups in Iraq: Kurds, Assyrians, Mandeans, Iraqi Turkmen, Shabaks and Roma. These groups have not enjoyed equal status with the majority Arab populations throughout Iraq's eighty-five year history.
But with Saddam Hussein in power the long and complex history between the two (Sunni and Shia) denominations came to the fore.
The initial difference between the two relates to the question as to who should lead the Islamic people upon the death of the Prophet Mohammed.
Shias believe that the Islamic people should have been led by Ali (Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law) as opposed to Abu Bakr the first caliph, who was recognised by Sunni Muslims.
Rather like the split between the Catholic and Protestant denominations of the Christian religion, there has been friction and disagreement between the two ever since the break.
While probably a gross oversimplification, hopefully this gives you and idea that there was an uneasy diversity for many years.
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2007-01-11 02:37:08 · answer #1 · answered by Nobody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The shah was just as bad his secret police was arguably worse than Saddam's mob..
As for history go back about 1300 years to the death of Mo and his family and the idea that the true leaders of Islam are the descendants of Mo. Sunni's believe in Mullah's and their teachings etc not familial descent.
2007-01-11 08:41:15 · answer #2 · answered by farshadowman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not go back further to days of Lawrence of Arabia .When it was called Persia and he divided the region
2007-01-11 08:48:23 · answer #3 · answered by llamedos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋