Shiah (Noun)
Meaning
One of the two main branches of orthodox Islam; mainly in Iran.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The Shiahpopulation in Iran makes up around 90% of the country's Muslims, with the remaining 10% adhering to Sunni Islam.
- Islam in Iraq is divided into two main branches: Shiahand Sunni, with the Shiahdominating the majority of the population.
- A Shiahamong the tribal leaders in eastern Saudi Arabia reached out to the local governor in a bid to ease tensions.
- Before the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraq was ruled by a predominantly Sunni government, while the Shiahamajority was persecuted.
- A number of Shiahscholars and theologians were imprisoned by the Saudi authorities in 2017 on charges of sedition and terrorism.