Sunni Demographics
Green: Sunni
Blue: Shi'a
Sunni's make up about 85% of the Islamic population meaning there are about 1.5 Sunni Muslims in the world
Monday, February 6, 2012
How and where did this particular branch develop?
The division between Shiites and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to become leader of the Muslim nation. Sunni Muslims believe 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 Shiite Muslims believe that leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali. Throughout time, Shiite Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, instead following a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself.
How does your sect differ from the other branches within the major religion?
Sunni Islam differs from Shiite Muslims in the following ways
How does this monotheistic religion differ from the other two major monotheistic religions?
Muslims believe that Jesus was not the son of god and do not believe in the idea of the trinity unlike Christians. They also believe in a hell and satan, unlike Jews.
What traditions or rituals do they follow?
What holy book do they use and what holy days do they observe?
Holy Books
- Quran - The sacred writings of Islam revealed by god to the prophet Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina
- Hadith - The oral traditions of the words and deeds of Muhammad
Holy Days
- Muharram - Islamic New Year
- Ramadan - Holy month of fasting
Friday, February 3, 2012
What is the place of worship?
Sunni muslims pray in a religious building know as a mosque. The inside is decorated with gold and glue colored decorations, and the outside is composed of the main building, along with towers known as minarets which serve as bell towers to call the faithful to pray.
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