Sunni-Shia Divide in the Middle East and the Role of Iran

Middle East has been a region of many conflicts be it religious, political or ethnic. The religious schism between Sunnis and Shias has been one significant factor underlying tensions in the region. While the theological differences have contributed to the conflict, the desire of many regional powers such as Iran, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, and Iraq in the past, to dominate the region, have accentuated and exacerbated the discord. The recent regime change in Syria has altered some of the dynamic balances and forced Iran to retreat and Saudi Arabia to advance, but it remains to be seen whether the recent power shift is likely to be more long term.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

COURSE OUTLINE

• The origin of Sunni/Shia schism and further Shia schisms (Zaidis, Ismailis, Alawites)
• Shias in the Middle East

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the origin of the Sunni/Shia discord
2. Understand the theological and political context of the on-going conflicts