Since these people are about to start a civil war it seems, I wanted to know the difference between the 2 main types on mooslims. I googled and found this nice concise explanation.

You know you wanted to know

source linkage

What's the Difference Between Shia and Sunni Muslims?

Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. The differences between these two main sub-groups within Islam initially stemmed not from spiritual differences, but political ones. Over the centuries, however, these political differences have spawned a number of varying practices and positions which have come to carry a spiritual significance.
The division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation. Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. This is what was done, and the Prophet Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, became the first Caliph of the Islamic nation. The word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."

On the other hand, some Muslims share the belief that leadership should have stayed within the Prophet's own family, among those specifically appointed by him, or among Imams appointed by God Himself.

The Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali. Throughout history, Shia Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, choosing instead to follow a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself. The word "Shia" in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people. The commonly-known term is shortened from the historical "Shia-t-Ali," or "the Party of Ali." They are also known as followers of "Ahl-al-Bayt" or "People of the Household" (of the Prophet).

From this initial question of political leadership, some aspects of spiritual life have been affected and now differ between the two groups of Muslims.

Shia Muslims believe that the Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority is infallible as it comes directly from God. Therefore, Shia Muslims often venerate the Imams as saints and perform pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in the hopes of divine intercession. Sunni Muslims counter that there is no basis in Islam for a hereditary privileged class of spiritual leaders, and certainly no basis for the veneration or intercession of saints. Sunni Muslims contend that leadership of the community is not a birthright, but a trust that is earned and which may be given or taken away by the people themselves.

Shia Muslims also feel animosity towards some of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, based on their positions and actions during the early years of discord about leadership in the community. Many of these companions (Abu Bakr, Umar, Aisha, etc.) have narrated traditions about the Prophet's life and spiritual practice. Shia Muslims reject these traditions (hadith) and do not base any of their religious practices on the testimony of these individuals. This naturally gives rise to some differences in religious practice between the two groups. These differences touch all detailed aspects of religious life: prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.

Sunni Muslims make up the majority (85%) of Muslims all over the world. Significant populations of Shia Muslims can be found in Iran and Iraq, and large minority communities in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, and Lebanon.

Gah! Factual information...can't breath....world going dark....feeling weak....must hold...on...to...

I LEARNED EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ISLAM ON 9/11!!

There I feel better now. That was close.

I predict this thread will self destruct in just a few short minutes.

The difference to me?  Maybe a windage or elevation adjustment.

None.

Quoted: I predict this thread will self destruct in just a few short minutes.

Yep, 20 bones on post 46.

So its basicly rule by blood or by choice.  Tsunni view sounds more practical.

The Saracens

Saracens  ADD version
Persians for the ADD impaired
Turks for the hell of it.
Ottoman  (TURK) Empire

bump for education

Shia: Blonde sandwood AK furnature

Sunni: Dark bloodwood AK furnature

Quoted: Quoted: I predict this thread will self destruct in just a few short minutes. Yep, 20 bones on post 46.

Nope.  It's gonna make it all the way to 87.

sounds like suni propaganda.

Shia Muslims believe in a false prophet and a phony religion.

Sunni Muslims believe in a false prophet and a phony religion.

I can't seem to put my finger on the difference.

Who cares? Just as stupid as Protestants and Catholics fighting in Ireland. Use religion as a mask for what you really are fighting for. Power!
Personally if they decide to kill each other and forget about killing our soldiers and civilians then let them fight to the last man.

Quoted: Who cares? Just as stupid as Protestants and Catholics fighting in Ireland. Use religion as a mask for what you really are fighting for. Power! Personally if they decide to kill each other and forget about killing our soldiers and civilians then let them fight to the last man.

How dare you say such a thing without fully knowing about theses peoples Culture and Heritage! I'm on my last straw with you young man! Your moral relativism makes me sick! I think we need to send you to multi-culturalism re-education camp!

Shia believe that as Mohammad was dying, his wife kept Ali away from him and Abu Bakr strong-armed the elders into making him Iman.  Sunni's believe that the change in power was done according to Arab traditions and all is as it should be.

Ali later became Iman, but this caused a civil war in the Muslim ranks.  In the end he was assinated after a war with the caliph of Syria, Mu'awiya.  Mu'awiya began the Umayyad Dynasty which conquered, in the name of Islam, territory from southern Spain to southern Asia from 660 to 750 AD.

However the Umayyads were not from Mohammad's clan and were overthrown by the Abbasids, who believed they should rule since they were of the same clan.  They ruled from 750 til 1258.  The Umayyads were also weakened by their defeat at the hands of Charles Martel at Tours.  This is the battle that saved Europe.  The Arab army had crushed everyone they'd fought until Tours.  If they'd beaten the Frankish king, they likely wouldn't have been stopped until they reached the steppes of Russia.  

The violent spread of Islam was not stopped by some new discovery in the Koran's text or an Iman's preaching that they'd been doing it wrong for over 1,000 years.  It was stopped by force.  By Charles Martel and the walls of Vienna.  Islam is not peace.

Sorry, I'm out of give a fuck.

one smells like a goat the other  a sheep

This thread will self destruct in mere minutes

Hmm, I hope my dorm doesn't disrupt into a civil war I guess my building was the one they decided to stick all the international muslim students. There are a bunch from Kazakhstan, but I guess the school is importing 40 from Suadi Arabia next quarter. Things are going to get interesting around here at the end of March I suspect