Shi'a Muslim
Ali's spiritual descendants
A Shi'a Muslim is an adherent of Shi'a Islam, the second-largest branch of the faith after Sunni Islam.
The split originated in a 7th-century dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad—Shi'a Muslims believe leadership should have passed through his family line, specifically his son-in-law Ali.
Shi'a Muslims predominate in Iran, Iraq, and parts of Lebanon: The shrine attracts Shi'a Muslim pilgrims from across the region.
Islamic republic in Asia
- IraqMiddle Eastern republic
- LebanonMideast coastal nation
- BahrainIsland monarchy, Arabian Gulf
- AzerbaijanSouth Caucasus country
shrine · seminary · pilgrimage · Damascus
Islamic day of fasting
- MuharramOpening Islamic calendar month
- processionFormal moving line
- lamentationPassionate expression of grief
- mourningPeriod following loss
Arabic name, "sublime"
- HasanArabic masculine name
- FatimahMuhammad's youngest daughter
- successionFollowing in order
- infallibilityIncapacity for mistakes
Systematic mistreatment of groups
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- coexistenceSimultaneous presence together
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
sectarianism · Sunni · tension · diaspora · identity · community · tolerance · representation
Giving up something precious
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
steadfastness · devotion · oppression · tragedy · commemoration · blood · tears
Iran
Islamic republic in Asia
Azerbaijan · shrine · seminary · pilgrimage · Damascus
Ashura
Islamic day of fasting
- MuharramOpening Islamic calendar month
- processionFormal moving line
- lamentationPassionate expression of grief
Ali
Arabic name, "sublime"
- HasanArabic masculine name
- FatimahMuhammad's youngest daughter
- successionFollowing in order
persecution
Systematic mistreatment of groups
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- coexistenceSimultaneous presence together
pluralism · sectarianism · Sunni · tension · diaspora · identity · community · tolerance · representation · Bahrain
Druze
Levantine esoteric religion
sacrifice
Giving up something precious
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
redemption · steadfastness · devotion · oppression · tragedy · commemoration · blood · tears