Shiism: A Religious & Political History of Shi’i Branch of Islam

Within the Islamic world, the Sunni Muslims are in the majority and wield enormous social and political power but the minority Shiites, an important branch of Islam, remains a visible sect and a political force. Especially, after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the Shiites emerged as a strong political force within the Islamic world. The Shiite brand of Islamic radicalism emerged in the Middle East as a militant group who directly challenged the west by the act of terrorism and guerrilla warfare. These radicals even threatened the Sunni rulers of the region, most of whom however, are autocratic and despotic. Despite the emergence of the Shiite militancy after the Iranian Revolution, a majority of the Shiites is moderate and wants to live in peace and harmony with others. The war in Iraq has brought the Shiites, into the limelight. The political situation in Iraq will determine the political future of the Shiites in the Middle East. Considering that very little is known about the Shiites in the west, Dr. Mahmood in his book Shiism describes the history of the Shiite religious and political movements, their faith, differences between the Shiite and Sunni doctrine, and their relationship with the Sunni Islam.