I know the philosophical and religious difference between them, but how does one iraqi tell if the next iraqi is shiite or sunni?  is there an ethnic difference that can be observed on the outside?  Do they dress different or anything?
124159
There are some tribes that are Sunni and Shiie but I don't think it could be possible to say who is Shiie and who is Sonni just by looking at them.\nThere are small differences in Rituals like the way they pray their daily prayer.\nUsually Shiie and Sunnis have different gathering places so if someone wants to hurt a Shiie he can go to a Shiie mosque.
275290
There are different types of Muslims just as there are differnt types of jews,christians, etc. Yes alot of fighting happens between sunnis and shia's because sunnis (not all but most) say that the angel Gabriel went to the wrong house. It would be almost blasphemous if someone said that about Mary Imagine if someone told you that God impregnanted the wrong woman. God forbid. Its such a horrible accusation.  So yeah alot of tension.\nAnd yeah alot of tension about Palastine but also because they are cursed because of them killing the prophets (including jesus) Not to mention their ungratefulness to God when he saved them from Pharoh\nAnd God knows Best\nPray that helps
318149
I've been in Baghdad for almost 2 years and I can say this with full conviction.  You have no idea what you are talking about.  I'm sure, in theory, all Muslims are Brothers, but this is the real world.  The Sunnis are the minority group here, but they were the favored ones during Saddam's reign.  They stomped on their fellow Muslims for over 30 years, and now most of the insurgents that are Iraqis are Sunnis.  They are no longer the ones in power and don't like it.  They murder their own countrymen without a care for the suffering they cause.  Just the other day, a Sunni walked into a crowded restaurant at lunchtime and detonated explosives that were strapped to his body, killing 10 and wounding 17.  Women, children, it didn't matter to him.  If all Muslims are Brothers, why did Iraq attack Kuwait?  Why did Iraq and Iran carry on a war for 10 years?  Step into the real world, Buddy.
420809
Each Nation has their own system of beliefs.  You'd do better to research them individually by Nation name (Cherokee, Navajo, etc.) and then look for similarities between all of them.
13961
But how about Islamic state, the abassade age for about 500 years, they ruled large state from Baghdad which is very close to babylon and they were anti-christ definitely, do you think? I m still studying bible, so I don't know the whole story. mavbe I'm wrong.   in shiite beliefs, my former beliefs, they expect a man to come and rule the world from Iraq, it seems this taken from bible, but Muslism think that the one who will rule from Babylon is the good one ):
531763
I'm with Chippy!  Mav is so cute wif her lil bow!\n\nI don't know the exact differences between their beliefs, but I can tell you that they are based on differing beliefs of cailiphs.  Cailiphs are those who took the place of Muhammad after his death...essentially, they were the "popes" of Islam.  At one point in time, debate began to grow over who was to be the next cailiph, and the infighting got so bad that two groups formed because of it.  Beyond that, I have no idea what the differences are. ;p
586744
Mini, Al-Zarqawi was not an Iraqi.  He was from Jordon and entered Iraq to be a terrorist.\n\nI am not a Muslim but I was interested in the answers.
580430
only shiites believe in the 12 imams. shiites make up a small minority of muslims. the majority, sunnis, do not believe in this.
246634
first the base of islam for shites and sunnis is the same the difference is so much historical rather than religious sunnis think the leader of islam and muslims must be chosen by free voting shites think that the son`s of Ali ( prophet muhammed cousin and son in law ) are the only one to role , the fact that sunnis and shites are fighting is new as it just appeared in iraq as a game of political balance ( thanks for usa iraqi people survived sadam to enter civil war) that is not a rule not all shites fight sunnis ( there are some shites living in maroc a sunni country and they are peacefull)
485818
Hey truthful--the reason we Assyrians use Muslim names is because we are influenced by our surroundings to name children Arab inspired names. For example, my great aunt in Iraq had to name her children Arab names--not Assyrian, under Saddam's rule to make it easier to live and not be persecuted. Assyrians in the Middle East name their children Arabic names for two main reasons, 1: because the parent(s) like the name or like its meaning, and 2: the parents are forced to do so, or feel it beneficial to name their child with an Arabic name to better fit in with the Middle Eastern society. I personally have nothing against Arabic names, my mother for example is named Amal, which means hope. While my father is name Emanuel, a Christian name meaning "God is with us." So the naming really depends on the parents. Assyrians born outside the Middle East name their children "regular" names or Assyrian names. I was born in the US and was given an Assyrian name, Ramsen, which was the name of an Assyrian king. While my first cousins who were born in Iraq are named Basim and Basima. What's your name? Hope I helped!
231092
i think not important that he is shia or sunni...the important thing is he is a muslim and the most important thing is  :he is a good human...
88750
When the last Iraqi is dead.  Or when only one ethnic/religious faction is left in Iraq.  These people have turned from fighting us to fighting each other.  A Civil war is going to blow up anyday and our boys are going to be stuck in the middle of it.\n\nNo one anywhere in the Middle East can agree on anything.  There are about 200 different factions, mostly differing viewpoints of Islam.
563107
Mainstream Islam is Sunni, Salahfi's are otherwise known as Wahhabis (Saudis).  Salahfi's believe there is a great deal of bida (innovation) are are trying to return to Islam the way it was during the time of the Prophet (S).  This sect is extremely strict...\n\nSufis, on the other hand, are "in the pursuit of a direct perception of spiritual truth, through mystic practices based on divine love."  Sufis therefore are more spiritual in nature..\n\nNonetheless, Prophet (S) has said the proper path is what the majority of my people will follow... and that is mainstream Islam (Sunnis)...
237901
No Persians come from Iran and have a different culture from (arabs)muslims.  There is alot of conflict between iraq and iran because of this cultural difference.  They are different and consider themselves to be very different.
447417
Go to \nhttp://www.sistani.org\nhttp://www.al-islam.org\nhttp://www.al-shia.org\nhttp://www.shialink.org\nhttp://www.qoitrat.org\n\nfor more information.
92057
this may not be EXACTLY  the difference in the rituals, but the diffenence in their belief  which I think probably is more important.\n\nhttp://www.dianedew.com/islam.htm
545167
you are right. Muslim is follower of Islam.\nbut then there are Shia muslims and Sunni Muslims. Shias are Iranian Muslims and Sunnis are Saudi muslims. Then there are Ahmedias and Deobandis and so on. Shias follow calender and Sunnis follow moon. hence they celebrate their new years on different days. \nDeobandis do not like music and sufis have their own theory but they all pray allah. which is one god.and they praise Mohammed, as messenger of the God, and say that all previous messenger's like Jesus and others should not be followed, and they also say that Muhammed was the last messenger. After Muhammed there will not be any body worth praying or praising.\nThey are allowed to keep four wives (vow) and their wives do not have any rights. their holy book is quran. read it, if you like.