Is Iran Sunni or Shia? Understanding Iran’s Religious Divide

When you think about Iran, one of the first questions that comes to mind might be: Is Iran Sunni or Shia? This question is not a curiosity one, but a core issue to several debates involving politics, cultures, and religion in the region. Iran certainly possesses a religious identity that is different from the majority of Islamic countries, and therefore knowing about it is not only essential to Iran studies but also to the understanding of the Middle Eastern region.

You might be asking: What faces Sunni and Shia? Or maybe you’re wondering: Which sect of Islam does it matter to Iran anyway? Often it helps to simplify things and thus let us deconstruct it all in the most basic way possible. We will also establish what makes Iran unique, what the Sunnis and Shias are and why the distinction is very important. Well, sit back and take a deep breath, let’s get on with it and get into this interesting and worthwhile topic.

What is the Difference Between Sunni and Shia?

Sunni Muslims believe that leadership should be chosen by consensus among the community after Prophet Muhammad died. Sunnis consider that a caliph is selected by consensus within the community and on the basis merit. Abu Bakr, the close companion of the Prophet,  is considered the proper first caliph. Sunnis represent the vast majority of Muslims, and many adhere to their beliefs and practices.

Shia Muslims are of the opinion that Ali ibn Abi Talib’s descendents should lead the Prophets family. Shia Muslims think Ali was the chosen leader by Allah. Shia Muslims adhere to the Imamate System of Spiritual Leadership, believing that the Imam has divine authority and is both a leader religiously and politically. Shia Islam is prevalent in Iran and Iraq.

Sunni vs. Shia: The Stats and Facts

While we can talk about beliefs all day, it’s also useful to look at the numbers. Let’s get some context on the size of each group in the Muslim world.

This table shows you a snapshot of how Sunni and Shia Muslims are distributed across the globe. As you can see, Sunni Muslims are the majority, but Shia Muslims have a significant presence, especially in Iran.

Is Iran Sunni or Shia?

Now that you understand the basics, let’s get straight to the point: Iran is overwhelmingly Shia. Over 95% of Iran’s population is followers of Shia Islam. This makes Iran as the biggest Shia-populated country for lack of a better word. So, if you’re ever in doubt, just remember: Iran = Shia.

But it goes far deeper than that because being an Islamic Republic of Iran means it is a Shia Islamic Republic of Iran. It is relevant to its culture, politics as well as its foreign policy. Now let’s see why this is such a big issue.

Why Does Iran’s Shia Identity Matter?

The Shia label is not simply religious in Iran, it is a part of their historical and political identity.

Religions in Politics

Iran officially became an Islamic Republic after the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and is a system in which Islamic methods of governance are combined with the political system. This means that Shia Islam isn’t only a religion, but it is a political, legal, and even a foreign policy determinant in the country.

The Influence of the Clergy

In Iran, there is a clear political power belonging to the clergy, especially the Ayatollahs. The supreme leader who has absolute power in the country is a Shia cleric. This place of religion in politics is one of the fundamental characteristics of the government of Iran.

Regional Power and Influence

Iran has turned into a leader in the Shia Muslim world due to being in the holding position in the Shia kingdom. Currently, Iran sponsors the Shia population and militias in different states in the Middle East including Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. This has defined the manner in which Iran forms its relations with adjacent countries, and the foreign policy strategies it applies.

The Sunni-Shia Divide in Iran’s Neighbors

Sunni dominates in most of Iran’s neighboring countries, most of which include Saudi Arabia, Pakistan,and Turkey among others. Sometimes tensions have arisen out of this sectarian divide.

For instance while Iran opposes Saudi Arabia, which is the most influential Sunni-dominated country; this conflict is based not only on politics but religion as well. These are some of the factors that complicate a geopolitical interconnection as depicted by the conflict in Syria and Yemen.

Iran’s Shia Dominance Has Some Cool Perks

Due to the fact that it is the largest country containing the Shia majority, Iran has a distinctive culture and religious character. Shia places of worship include the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad as well as Qom is an academic city for Shia.

Here are some cool Shia-related cultural practices in Iran:

Ashura: Millions of Iranians perform mourning ceremonies for the Ashura, the day when Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad was martyred. This is one big religious event that draws the nation together.

Ziyarat: Tourism to Shia holy lands, including Karbala, and Mashhad is widespread amongst the Iranian people. Such trips are thought of as a religious voyage and a devotion for their faith.

Shia Festivals: Eid Al-Adha is a very popular among Iranians Shia religious holiday as well as Eid al-Ghadeer which marks the day when Shia Muslims believe the prophesied Muhammad designated Ali as his successor.

Sunni Minority in Iran

Still, there is a part of Iran that is Sunni and, indeed, Shia Muslims are much more numerous in the country. There are surprisingly few reliable figures on potential Sunni’s in Iran, and sources state that approximately 5-10 % of Iran’s population as Sunni, mostly in the provinces neighboring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

While Sunnis have the freedom to practice their faith in Iran, the Shah’s rule the nation ,and the populațiisnineteen² majority are Shia. At times, conflicts appear but the government of Iran officially supports religious tolerance, although there may still be issues.

Why Understanding This Is Important?

It is more than religion to comprehend whether Iran is Sunni or Shia; it is politics and culture of the Middle East. Iran is a country with a very distinct religious culture that colors its foreign and domestic regimes.

International Relations: Iran’s Shia Islamic identity affects all its relations both with Sunni-dominated and other Shia-dominated nations. Such a division is exclusively religious as a result of which it supports Shia factions in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.

Cultural Insights: It is important to have a basic understanding of Sunni and Shia since this information will explain some Iranian traditions and religion, as well as the role of Ayatollahs in the Iranian state.

Conclusion

So, to answer the burning question: Is Iran Sunni or Shia? Iran is Shia, and more importantly for this book, its Shia identity became a foundational aspect of the Iranian experience in the modern regional order. But wait, there’s more to Iran than just the labels of religion. There is so much more to learn about this country, its beliefs, practices, and politics if you delve deeper into the history of this region.

If the identity of Iran is ever questioned again, next time you’ll be ready to go beyond the trait: “Is Iran Sunni or Shia?”