ABSTRACT
The place of religion in Middle Eastern politics is imbued with a much deeper and wider significance because it is the birthplace of three world religions. About 90 percent of the population in the Middle East is Muslims. However, Islam is far from a monolithic faith. The division between Shi'ites and Sunnis dates from the decades following the death of the Prophet in the 7th century CE. Though reliable statistics are not available, a credible estimate is that 65 percent of Muslims in the Middle East are Sunni and about 30 percent Shi'a. There are also divergences among the Shi'ites and there are other Muslim groups that distinguish themselves from both the two main forms. There are also different festivals and theological differences. The latter appear to be less numerous and significant than is the case in the cleavages in Christianity; Shi'ites and Sunnis recognize each other as Muslims and both groups adhere to the five pillars of the faith.
