What are the major differences between the Sunnis and Shiiites?

I just saw a cnn video about this, though it was only mildly enlightening... this article has a link to it midway through the page: http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/25/iraq.main/index.html

A quick search also reveals this article: http://hnn.us/articles/934.html

Very briefly: The schism dates back to a succession battle over who was the rightful leader of the Ummah (Muslim community). Some, those who would become the Shiites, believed that only members of Muhammad's family could properly lead the community. Others, Sunnis, did not feel that way. Sunnis are the majority (almost 90% of Muslims are Sunni), but some key Muslim countries, like Iran and Iraq are predominantly Shiite.

Thanks, William. Very clear explication considering the brevity. Too bad they can't get along better, like the Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform Jews. (Hi, Ben. Thx for sites.)

Also, I think it has become a class divide in the more recent past. Not sure who is who, though.

The official break was in 680, or more specifically October 10th, 680 - when Husayn, who had refused to acknowledge Yazid as the a legitimate caliph, died when his 72 warriors attacked Yazid's 10,000. Husayn was the 3rd in the succession line, after Hasan, who followed Ali. The term Shi'is, or Shi'ites, comes from Shi'at Ali (the Party of Ali). The movement was, in the begining, really a political movementt couched in religious terms (that leadership should be continued through the Hashimite clan, which was Mohammed's clan, through his cousin Ali, since Mohammad had no sons).

Later on, the two sects developed more distinct differences, they developed separate traditions and over time. Also, Persians have only really been associated with Shi'ism since about 1500 as a result of Safavid invluence (which begain in Azerbaijan, and moved south).

(sorry for all they typos above.. i was caught up in the reading and forgot to proof read) :) :)

Thank you, typos or no. Interesting how peoples can find reasons to hate each other, isn't it? I guess that it all started w. the 35 members of a tribe wanting to keep the cave, water and food supplies for themselves. That involved turning their aggression outwards and bopping the neighboring tribes rather than stabbing their cavemates for snoring too loudly.

that is so ignorent crap.

@vampy; if your unparsable, misspelled and vague outburst is directed at me, shame on you. Do some reading about the research done on aggressive behaviors in early man and primates before you spout off teen-aged drivel that is helpful to no one (but maybe says something abut YOUR latent aggression.)
viz;

Scholarly research done by E O WIlson, PhD
http://www.jqjacobs.net/anthro/paleo/primates.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=xJEF-EWCYd8C&dq=aggression+in+early+man

lol all am gona say is that arabs started using cars instead of camels ages ago incase you havent noticed. and i bet you anything you dont even know who Ali or Mohamed are.lol.n i dont mean to be disrespectful or anything just read more first.

@vampy: the combustion engine was developed in the late 19th century for popular use. The conflict between Sunnis and Shiites started for undocumented ideological reasons (as most religious or ethnic conflicts begin) in the 7th century. Very few fossl-fueled cars then, unless – as you imply – I am once again sadly misinformed. All of the answers here are informed, which is the point of this site.

Jimmy the Greek would put good odds on my knowledge of Mohammed being pretty thorough, since I have been thinking and reading and writing since I was sentient – in the 1940’s. So how much would you like to wager?

A wonderful and horrifying novel about the conflict between Muslim and Hindus (and the various castes) in India during Indirah Gandhi’s regime is A FINE BALANCE, by Rohinton Mistry (and recommended by Rovdog.” It delves deeply into the irrational and complicated hatred of those “different” from us.

Vagueness of language is not informative, BTW. IE: “all arabs, “ages ago,” etc. How old are you, anyway?

*Indira