Sunni and Shia factfile

The Sunni-Shia split within Islam originates from controversy surrounding Ali, cousin of the Prophet Mohammed. All Muslims respect Ali as the second historical follower of Islam, but whilst Sunnis believe he was just one of several possible leaders, Shia believe he and his line were divinely appointed.

Shia Islam recognises Ali as the first of the Twelve Imams, a divinely-ordained dynasty of supreme religious rulers, related
by blood to the Prophet. Although the line ended in 873, Shia Muslims do not believe the final Imam is dead, but instead is
'hidden' - and liable to return.

Sectarian violence began when Ali was installed, and civil war broke out over the instillation of a 'rightful' caliph in the wake of Ali's reign. The intensity of fighting gradually decreased