How many Shias are there in Iraq?
While the Sunni branch makes up the greater part of the global Muslim population of more than a billion, Shiites form the majority in Iraq—as many as 15 million out of a population of 24 million.
What percent of Iraq is Shia?
Demographics. The data on the religious affiliation of Iraq’s population are uncertain. 95–99% of the population are Muslims. The CIA World Factbook reports a 2015 estimate according to which 29–34% are Sunni Muslims and 64–69% Shia Muslims.
Is Iraq predominantly Shia?
Today, Shia Muslims make up the majority of the Iraqi population. Iraq is the location of the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, pilgrimage sites for millions of Shia Muslims.
Do Sunnis believe in Hussein?
Sunnis believe that Ali and his two sons, Hassan and Hussain, were highly respected by the first three Caliphs and the companions of Muhammad.
Did Shiites kill Sunnis in Iraq?
According to these leaders, the Shiíte forces who were under command of the Iraqi Interior Ministry canvassed neighborhoods, arresting and allegedly assassinating Sunni. Shiítes, on the other hand, claimed they were targeted by Sunnis in killings, often by suicide bombings.
Who are the Sunnis and the Shiites?
Saudi Arabia leads Sunni-dominated nations. Iran dominates those led by Shiites. At least 87% of Muslims are Sunnis. 3 They are the majority in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Shiites are the majority in Iran, Bahrain, and Iraq.
How were Iraqi Shiites treated by the Iranian government?
At the same time Hussein came to power, the Iranian Shiíte majority overthrew the leader of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Shah (1919–1980), and installed a sectarian (religious led) Shiíte government with cleric Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini (c. 1900–1989) as its leader. From that time on, Iraqi Shiítes were treated with brutal oppression.