Shia Muslims in the Arab world

Islam is historically divided into two major sects, Sunni and Shī‘a Islam , each with its own sub-sects. Large numbers of Shī‘a Arab Muslims live in some Arab countries including Lebanon , Yemen , Iraq , Saudi Arabia , Kuwait , Oman , the UAE and Qatar . Shī‘a Muslims are a numerical majority in Iraq and Bahrain and make up a plurality in Lebanon . Smaller Shī‘a groups are present in Egypt and Jordan . Despite the heavy presence of Shī‘a Muslims in some Arab countries , particularly among the population of the Persian Gulf Arab countries , they have been treated poorly throughout history. Additionally, in recent times, Shī‘a Muslims along with Kurds have faced genocide by the pan-Arabist regime of Saddam Hussein . This article discusses both the history of Shī‘a Islam in the Arab world from the dawn of Islam and their current situation in the Arabic-speaking world.

Islam is historically divided into two major sects, Sunni and Shia Islam , each with its own sub-sects. Significant minorities of Shia Arab Muslims live in some Arab countries including Lebanon , Iraq and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf : Saudi Arabia , Kuwait , Oman , the UAE , and Qatar . Shia Muslims are a numerical majority in Iraq and Bahrain . Nearly half of the Muslim population in Lebanon and in Yemen are Shia . There is also a significant (30-40% Kuwait, 15-20% in Saudi Arabia, 10% in Qatar) presence of Shia Muslims in the Arab States of the Persian Gulf , especially in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia follows a reformist strain of Islam , Wahhabism , and there is limited freedom of religion between the different sects even whilst all of the population are Muslims . Small Shia communities are present in Egypt and Jordan making up over 1% of the population. The Shia population is negligible in the predominantly Sunni states of North Africa including Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania and Morocco where Shia Islam is officially opposed amid strong pro- Sunni policies to “counter foreign influence (notably Iranian Persian) in the region in the form of Shi'ism”. Despite the heavy presence of Shia Muslims in some Arab countries, particularly among the population of Arab states of the Persian Gulf, they have been treated poorly throughout history. Additionally, Shia Muslims along with Kurds have faced genocide by the pan-Arabist regime of Saddam Hussein .

Islam is historically 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% 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.

Islam is divided into two main branches, 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 . Approximately 35% of the population in Yemen and nearly half of the Muslims in Bahrain and 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% 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 Zaydi 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.