ABSTRACT
The traditional and charismatic model of politics within Muslim civilisation constitutes major hindrances for the modernisation of the countries. Only a different interpretation of Islam and the Koran can open them up for modernity or post-modernity. The difficulty of modernity in Islam can be located either at the bottom of society in the conception of the umma or at the top of society in the institution of the caliph. The caliphate institution pulls Islam towards authoritarianism through its concentration upon man. A few major movements or traditions in Islam emerged – the Sunni, Shia and the Kharitjs – which all in turn display different versions. Alawis allege discrimination concerning the teaching of Islam, complaining of a Sunni Muslim bias in religious affairs, which opinion classifies the Alawis as a cultural, rather than a religious, group. The Shiite Muslims represent the largest non-Sunni branch of Islam, as the Shiites in their various forms represent some 10–15 per cent of Muslims.
