Sunni and Shia Islam

Sunni and Shia Islam are two main branches of the Muslim faith, differing primarily in their views on leadership after Prophet Muhammad’s death. Sunnis, making up about 85-90%, believe leaders should be chosen through consensus or election. Shias, about 10-15%, hold that leadership should stay within Muhammad’s family, specifically through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali. Both share core beliefs like the Quran and the Prophet’s teachings, but they have different religious practices, legal traditions, and historical perspectives, which have led to distinct cultural and communal identities within the broader Muslim community.