· There is growing sunni –shia rivalry in west asia
· Who are sunnis and shias?
o After prophet’s death in 632 AD. There was a divided opinion on succession
o The sunnis wanted an elected successor while shias wanted the succession to be according to blood line
· This divide has deepened over the years
· Islam is fastest growing religion in world
· Sunnis are a majority, shia make up only 15% of total muslim population
· Shias are inmajority in iraq, iran, azerbaijan and bahrain
· Sunni-shia division has deepended over the years
· For long in iraq, shia majority was suppressed
o Iraq came into existence in 1932
· Following american invasion of iraq in 2003, shia came to power and resorted to ethnic cleansing
· Post US invasion of iraq, iran’s stature in region has strengthened
· Iran has a key rôle to play in afghan problem
· Shia poptln in other nations
o Pakistan-20%
o Kuwait-25%
o Lebanon-40%
o Egypt-negligible
· In bahrain sunni kingdom rules shias
· The current revolt in bahrain is being strongly suppressed with help of saudi
· Saudi is worried coz of shias gain power in bahrain, it might strengthen the say of shia in saudi who mostly live oil rich areas
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