The split between Shite's and Sunnis began soon after the death of Mohammed.Ê The Sunnis believe that Ali was the last of the rightly guided caliphs ( successors) to Mohammed.Ê The Shiites believe that Ali was the only successor and all future successors should come through his line. The Sunnis do not believe there can be successors to Mohammed.

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Today there are important differences between the two major groups in Islam- Those differences are somewhat similar to the differences between Catholics and Protestant in Christianity.Ê The ShiaÕs have supreme religious leaders similar to the Pope who is considered to be a descendant of Ali.Ê The Sunnis do not have one religious leader, instead have distinguished scholars and jurists who issue opinions.

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