I had no idea the Shia and Sunni split initially stemmed from political differences

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/553031,CST-EDT-Muslim12.article

FACTS ABOUT MUSLIMS

* Shia and Sunni Muslims share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs, but there are minor differences in the way they practice.

* The Shia and Sunni split initially stemmed from political differences after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 A.D.

* Sunni Muslims believe that the prophet's successor should have been elected. This is what was done, and Muhammad's close friend and adviser, Abu Bakr, became Islam's first Caliph.

* Shia or Shiites strongly feel that the Muslim leader following Muhammad's death should have been chosen within the prophet's family. This group, called "Shia," Arabic for the "party," had wanted Muhammad's cousin/son-in-law Ali to be the first Caliph.