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The conflict between Sunni and Shia'a, two major Muslim sects, is the oldest in the Middle East.
The division dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad over who should succeed as leader of the Muslim community. The conflict started after the assassination of the third Caliph - Othman bin Affan. The followers of Ali Bin Abi Taleb were accused of the murder, which resulted in the division of the Muslim communities; Sunnis followed Muawia bin Abi Sufiyan, the Caliph's cousin while the Shia’a followed Ali Bin Abi Taleb.
The division between Sunni and Shia’a also started due to differences in jurisprudence and opinions over the interpretation of certain aspects of religion, even though they share the same beliefs and principles. These issues include differences around marriage – including temporary marriages, the Prophet's companions and inheritance.
Apart from the Shia’a Fatimis dynasty, Sunnis dominated the first nine centuries of Islamic rule until the Safavid dynasty was established in Persia in 1501. The Safavids made Shia Islam the state religion, and over the following two centuries they fought with the Ottomans, the seat of the Sunni caliphate.
Today, the Sunni-Shia’a conflict appears through the dominant conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia and affects their relation with neighbouring countries. The conflict re-emerged recently during the civil war in Iraq following the American led occupation of the country in 2003.
The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)- now called the Islamic State – defines its beliefs through the Islamic Sunni Jihadist Salafism. They believe this gives them the right to establish an Islamic State following the Caliph's steps. According to the stories and Hadith, the Caliph's state will be established in the Levant. The ISIL asked all Muslims and Islamic groups to join their State under the same flag and to swear allegiance to the new successor.