As violence in Iraq continues, some media outlets including NBC News have begun to call the conflict in Iraq a civil war. Others insist the problems are simply sectarian violence. But, regardless of the semantics, the situation in Iraq is largely due to a something most Americans do not understand - the differences between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.
The differences between the two sects of Islam trace back to the very beginning of the Islamic faith. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, conflict arose over who should be his successors.
Kevin Martin, an assistant professor of history, teaches a class on the modern Middle East and said no differences were seen immediately.
"It was initially just a political conflict that evolved into a theological one," he said. "Both groups pointed to things Muhammad said when he was alive as to who should follow him."
Martin said the Shiites pointed to a statement by Muhammad that said his successor should be his relative Ali. Sunnis believe Muhammad said that anyone who is qualified should serve as caliph, or the religious leader.
After three caliphs were appointed, which Ali agreed to, Ali took power after the third's murder.
According to the History News Network by George Mason University, the Sunni branch believes that first four caliphs rightfully took Muhammad's place as leader of the religion. The heirs of these four caliphs were seen as legitimate leaders and served continuously until the end of World War I and the breakup of the Ottoman Empire.
Shiites, on the other hand, only recognize descendants of Ali as Muhammad's legitimate successors.
Martin explained the Shiite belief.
"They began to use the term 'Imam' for their leaders," he said. "They had 11 without incident, but the 12th Imam disappeared. Shia today wait for the 12th Imam to return to solve the problems of the world much like Christians wait for the Messiah. The Sunnis also believe in 'mahdi,' or the redeemer returning to Earth."
In Iraq, Shiites account for 55 percent of the population, located mostly in the South. Sunnis comprise one-third of the Iraqi population. These percentages are quite different from the demographics worldwide where Shiites are only about 10 percent of all Muslims.
Martin said that the Iraqi situation is a difficult one to solve, however he hopes the situation can be resolved peacefully.
Human beings are very often trapped in history," he said. "I thought even three or four months ago that the Shia would be willing to share power in some extent in Iraq. But now, with some of the things Maliki and Al Sadr have been saying, it's looking like they want all of it."
The outcome of the situation in Iraq is certainly difficult to predict. One of the main problems is that for many Iraqi citizens, nationalism does not play much of a factor.
"One of the things Saddam did do, despite his atrocities and all the horrible things, was create a sense of Iraqi pride," Martin said. "Now it's very difficult to tell what people hold dearest. In a lot of cases being Sunni or Shiite does come before being Iraqi."
