CHITRAL: There are around 4,000–10,000 established religions in the world, with Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism being the larger and better-known ones. In none of the major religions do there appear to be as many sects as in Islam. Nor does there seem to exist, in other religions, a divide as deep and emotionally charged as that between the Sunni and Shia sects of Islam.

The misfortune of Islam—originally a benign and peace-preaching religion, yet ingrained in a tragic history beginning soon after the passing of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)—becomes most evident when the Sunni and Shia sects turn against each other. At times, the hostility has been so intense that members of one sect have preferred non-Muslims over their rival Muslim sect. For this reason, the Muslim world, despite being rich in worldly assets such as oil, minerals, and manpower, has rarely been truly united, and thus often finds itself playing the underdog in relation to non-Muslim world powers.

One often wonders whether any miracle might occur by which the painful differences between the sects of Islam—particularly between the Sunni and Shia schools—could be set aside, and the unpleasant history of division entrusted to Allah to render ultimate justice. .. CN report, 03 Mar 2026