Shi‘ism
(Shī‘ism)
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| (Language: Arabic) |
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| Short Description: |
(Derived from the Arabic word Shī‘ī, meaning "party" or "sect".) The smaller of the two major branches of Islam, comprising about fifteen percent of Muslims. |
| Long Description: |
(Derived from the Arabic word Shī‘ī, meaning "party" or "sect".) The smaller of the two major branches of Islam, comprising about fifteen percent of Muslims. Shī’ites are distinguished from Sunnīs by their dedication to certain descendants of the Prophet called Imams. |
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| Source(s): |
Islam, Fundamentalism, and the Betrayal of Tradition, edited by Dr. Joseph Lumbard |
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