Religion

Afghanistan has a variety of religious views just like America today.

- 99% are Muslim
o 84% of Muslims are Sunnites
o 15% of Muslims are Shiites
- Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, and Jews are scattered throughout the country
o Since the 1960’s Jews have been migrating to Israel

Difference Between Sunni and Shiites?

Anyone who stands within the mainstream of the Islamic tradition and acts in accordance with generally accepted practices of the community is, therefore, a Sunni
Sunnites are, by this definition, Muslims who strictly follow the Sunna practices of the Prophet Muhammad and preserve the unity and integrity of the community.

The Shiites emerged out of a dispute over the succession to Muhammad. After the assassination of the fourth caliph, Ali, in 661, the Shiites were those Muslims claiming that it had been Ali's right to succeed Muhammad directly and that the previous caliphs had therefore been usurpers.

Sunni’s believe that Muhammad is the messiah while the Shiites believe that a man named Ali is the successor to Muhammad. Shiites tend to be stricter about their religion and their practices while the Sunni are more relaxed. Shiite has become the lesser of the two and is the minority of the two races and religions.

Religious Leaders?

Like our preachers today, for the Muslim religion he is called a Mullah.
Any man who can recite the Koran can become a Mullah. But the Mullah may sometimes not even know the meanings of the words since the Koran is written in Arabic. But he knows what is right and what is wrong and the basic rules of the Koran.

Information found at

http://www.afghan-web.com/