Sunni or Shiite

Islam is considered to be one of the largest religions practiced in the world. The schism developed after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Iraq and Iran are majority Shiite nations while the rest of the Muslim world is mostly Sunni. It’s a difference in their fundamental religious beliefs. The Sunni are more radical than the Shia. Sunni and Shiite Muslims are sects of the Islam religion which was established by the Prophet Mohammad with the division between the two sects occurring right after the death of the prophet. Sunni Muslims believe that their leaders are those that are voted by the members of the Islam communities based on their capability to fulfill the required tasks. Shiite Muslims believe that their leaders must be those who are direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammad who had been elected by Allah to serve as the first leader of the Islam faith. Sunni Muslims believe that the Mahdi or the “Rightfully Guided One” is yet to come to Earth and make his presence felt. Shiite Muslims believe that the Mahdi is already here and is just waiting for the right time for him to make his reappearance. The Shi’ites accept laws only from Mohammed and the Koran. There are essentially no differences in ritual between Shi’ite and Sunni. Many Sunni believe Shi’ites are not real Muslims. The Sunnis didn’t look for saintliness in their leaders, but strong political abilities. They shaped laws based on the words of Mohammed and the three “righteous caliphs”. I don't think that I, as a student, need to know the difference between them. If you work with them or are studying them then I think it is.