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The Origins Of The Shiite-Sunni Split

A fresco painting from the Chehel Sotun Pavillion in Isfahan, Iran, depicts Persian warfare during the Safavid dynasty period. Dave Bartruff/Corbis hide caption

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Dave Bartruff/Corbis

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The Origins Of The Shiite-Sunni Split

The division between Islam's Shiite minority and the Sunni majority is deepening across the Middle East. The split occurred soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, nearly 1,400 years ago.

The Origins Of The Shiite-Sunni Split

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