Shia Muslims in the Arab world

Islam is divided into two major sects, Sunni and Shia Islam, each with its own sub-sects. Large numbers of Shia Arab Muslims live in some Arab countries including Lebanon, Yemen, Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, and Qatar.

Shia Muslims are a numerical majority in Iraq and Bahrain. Approximately 35% of the population in Yemen and half of the Muslims in Lebanon are Shia Muslims. There is also a very large population of Shia Muslims living in the Persian Gulf countries especially in Saudi Arabia. An estimated 5–10%[1][2] of citizens in Saudi Arabia are Shia Muslims, most of whom are adherents to Twelver Shia Islam. Twelvers are predominantly represented by the Baharna community living in the Eastern Province, with the largest concentrations in Qatif, and half the population in al-Hasa. In addition there is a small Twelver Shia minority in Medina (called the Nakhawila). Sizable and Isma'ili communities also live in Najran along the border with Yemen. Saudi Arabia officially follows Wahhabism, a strict, recently established sect of Sunni Islam. There is little freedom of religion between the different sects even whilst all of the population are Muslims. Smaller Shia groups are present in Egypt and Jordan.

Despite the heavy presence of Shia Muslims in some Arab countries, particularly among the population of the Persian Gulf Arab countries, they have been treated poorly throughout history.[3] For both historical and political reasons, Shi'a Arabs have fared relative poorly in much of the Arab world, and the topic of Shi‘ism and Shia groups is one of the most sensitive issues for the Sunni elite.[4]

## Yemen

[edit]

Main article: Islam in Yemen

Arab Shiites in Yemen have been traditionally suppressed, often violently.[5][6] Massacres have taken place by government forces using tanks and airplanes to obliterate the uprising of Shī‘a groups in the country.[7] Shias make up about 35% of citizens of Yemen.

## Saudi Arabia

[edit]

Main article: Shia Islam in Saudi Arabia

See also: Freedom of religion in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Shias are largely concentrated in Eastern Province and are Baharna. They make up the majority in al-Qatif and half of the population of Al-Ahsa. There is also a small Twelver Shia minority in Medina (called the Nakhawila). Sizable Isma'ili communities also live in Najran along the border with Yemen. An estimated 5–10%[8][9] of citizens in Saudi Arabia are Shia Muslims.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the treatment of its Shia population has been a subject of scrutiny, with claims of a perceived status as second-class citizens. Restrictions on the construction of Shia mosques beyond the eastern province and the prohibition of Husainyas have been reported. Furthermore, the Saudi government has been accused of engaging in a propaganda campaign against Shia Muslims, employing derogatory terms such as "idolaters" and "mushriks."[10]

Notably, the Saudi government has implemented a ban on marriage between Shias and Sunnis, fostering additional tensions between the two communities. The issue extends beyond domestic matters, as the transnational affiliations of Shiites with religious authorities in other nations have been used as a basis for accusations of disloyalty and even treason against Saudi Shiites.[11]

Additionally, the absence of religious seminaries in Saudi Arabia contributes to the challenges faced by the Shia community in pursuing their religious education. These multifaceted issues reflect the complexities surrounding the status and treatment of Shia Muslims within the Kingdom, warranting attention and analysis.[12]

## Iraq

[edit]

Main article: Shia Islam in Iraq

Iraqi Shias are predominantly situated in the southern part of Iraq.

Saddam Hussein and his 15 former aides, including Ali Hassan al-Majid (known as Chemical Ali), were held responsible for their role in the suppression of a Shia uprising and the deaths of 60,000 to 100,000 people. The trial of Chemical Ali took place in Baghdad in August 2007.[13]

Unlike other sects of Islam, the Shias of Iraq have been treated horrifically under the regime of Saddam Hussein, when many Iraqi Shī‘as of Persian descent were expelled from the country in the 1980s, despite being the majority of the country at 60%. Reports indicated that no neighborhood was left intact after the 1991 uprising in Karbala. In the vicinity of the shrines of Husayn ibn Ali and Abbas ibn Ali, most of the buildings surrounding the shrines were completely reduced to rubble. The shrines themselves were scarred from bullet marks and tank fire.[14]

In December 2005, workers maintaining water pipes 500 meters from the Imam Hussein Shrine unearthed a mass grave containing dozens of bodies, apparently those of Shiites killed after the uprising.[15]

## Egypt

[edit]

Main article: Shia Islam in Egypt

According to Brian Whitaker, in Egypt, the small Shia population is harassed by the authorities and treated with suspicion, being arrested - ostensibly for security reasons - and subjected to abuse by state security officers for their religious beliefs.[16] Estimated numbers of Egypt’s Shias range from two[17] to three million.[18][19]

## Lebanon

[edit]

Main article: Lebanese Shia Muslims

The most recent demographic study conducted by Statistics Lebanon, a Beirut-based research firm, found that 28% of Lebanon's population is Shia Muslim.[20] The Shia are the only sect that has ever had the post of Speaker of Parliament.[21][22][23][24] The Shia Muslims are largely concentrated in northern and western Beqaa, Southern Lebanon and in the southern suburbs of Beirut.[25]

## United Arab Emirates

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Main article: Shia Islam in the United Arab Emirates

10% of Emirati citizens belong to the Shia sect. In addition, Shia Islam is also practiced among the country's large Iranian community and other Muslim expatriate groups.[26][27]

## Qatar

[edit]

Main article: Islam in Qatar

Shiites comprise around 10% of Qatar's Muslim population.[28]

## Kuwait

[edit]

Main article: Shia Islam in Kuwait

30-40% of Kuwaiti citizens are Shia Muslims.

## Bahrain

[edit]

Main article: Islam in Bahrain

Although Shias make up 55-60% of Bahraini Muslim population, the ruling absolute monarchy is Sunni.

Shias in Bahrain have met oppression for many years, during the 2011 Uprisings, a collaborative effort between Shia and Sunni communities sought to bring about the overthrow of the monarchy. Regrettably, during this period, there were instances of misrepresentation and misinformation propagated by the monarchy, falsely implicating Shias in collaborating with the Islamic Republic of Iran. This narrative further exacerbated tensions between the two groups, fanning the flames of sectarianism within Bahrain.[29][30]

The aftermath of the uprisings has left a lasting impact on the Shia community, with persistent instances of discrimination against Shia Muslims. The Bahraini authorities have been reported to engage in the harassment and physical attacks targeting Shia clerics, thereby curtailing their religious and social influence.[31][32] Moreover, Shia individuals encounter difficulties in securing desirable employment opportunities, particularly within government positions.[33]

Additionally, there have been documented instances of the Bahraini government impeding the mourning rituals conducted by the Shia community to honor figures such as Imam Hussain and other revered imams. Reports indicate that these actions have included efforts to hinder and disrupt these commemorative events. Furthermore, the government has been alleged to engage in the removal of black flags that Shias traditionally raise in proximity to their mosques and residential areas, which hold symbolic significance within the community's religious practices.[34]

## See also

[edit]

* Shia–Sunni relations

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Saudi Arabia's Shia press for rights Archived 2010-04-07 at the Wayback Machine| bbc|by Anees al-Qudaihi | 24 March 2009
2. ^ Council on Foreign Relations Archived 2010-04-11 at the Wayback Machine| Author: Lionel Beehner| June 16, 2006
3. ^ "Shia Muslims in the Mideast | Council on Foreign Relations".
4. ^ The Arab Shi'a: The Forgotten Muslims by Graham E. Fuller and Rend Rahim Francke (Paperback - Sep 22, 2001)
5. ^ "Potential Hot Spots: The Shia Rebellion in Yemen". www.strategypage.com.
6. ^ "Winds of Change.NET: Yemen: Keepin' The Shi'a Down". www.windsofchange.net. Archived from the original on 2005-11-16.
7. ^ "知って得する情報シャリフニュース！ | iQOS、Wimax Wifi、ミネラルウォーターなど日常生活の貴重情報をお伝えします". 17 July 2012.
8. ^ Saudi Arabia's Shia press for rights Archived 2010-04-07 at the Wayback Machine| bbc|by Anees al-Qudaihi | 24 March 2009
9. ^ Council on Foreign Relations Archived 2010-04-11 at the Wayback Machine| Author: Lionel Beehner| June 16, 2006
10. ^ "Saudi Arabia Still Treats Shiites as Second-Class Citizens".
11. ^ "Saudi Arabia Still Treats Shiites as Second-Class Citizens".
12. ^ "Saudi Arabia Still Treats Shiites as Second-Class Citizens".
13. ^ Iraqi Shia uprising trial begins, Al-Jazeera, August 22, 2007
14. ^ Karbala Journal; Who Hit the Mosques? Not Us, Baghdad Says, The New York Times, August 13, 1994
15. ^ Mass grave unearthed in Iraq city, BBC News, 27 December 2005
16. ^ "Comment, opinion and discussion from the Guardian US | The Guardian". the Guardian.
17. ^ Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah (September 23, 2012). "Egypt's Shiite Minority: Between the Egyptian Hammer and the Iranian Anvil". JCPA.
18. ^ Cam McGrath (Apr 26, 2013). "Spring Brings Worse for Shias". Cairo. Inter Press Service News Agency. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
19. ^ Tim Marshall (25 June 2013). "Egypt: Attack On Shia Comes At Dangerous Time". Sky News. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
20. ^ "International Religious Freedom Report 2010". U.S. Department of State. 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
21. ^ "Lebanon-Religious Sects". Global Security.org. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
22. ^ "March for secularism; religious laws are archaic". NOW Lebanon. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
23. ^ "Fadlallah Charges Every Sect in Lebanon Except his Own Wants to Dominate the Country". Naharnet. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
24. ^ Hajjar, George J. "Aspects of Christian-Muslim Relations in Contemporary Lebanon". hartsem.edu. Hartford, CT, USA: Hartford Seminary. Archived from the original on August 27, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
25. ^ "Minority Rights Group International". Minority Rights Group.
26. ^ "United Arab Emirates". The World Factbook (CIA). 24 June 2015. Archived from the original on June 12, 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
27. ^ "International Religious Freedom Report for 2011: United Arab Emirates" (PDF). Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (United States Department of State). 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
28. ^ "Mapping the Global Muslim Population" (PDF). Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. October 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
29. ^ "How Bahrain's crushed uprising spawned the Middle East's sectarianism". Washington Post. 2021-12-07. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
30. ^ Abdo, Genieve. "Repression and regression". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
31. ^ "UPDATED: Bahrain Harasses Shia Clerics Ahead of Ashura Amid Wider Attack on Religious Freedom". Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain. 2018-10-26. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
32. ^ "Bahrain jails cleric for kidnap". BBC News. 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
33. ^ "How Bahrain's crushed uprising spawned the Middle East's sectarianism". Washington Post. 2021-12-07. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
34. ^ "Performative gestures cannot vanish ongoing religious discrimination in Bahrain". Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain. 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2023-09-26.