Distribution of Sunni and Shia Muslim population in the Middle East

Despite the fact that all Muslims share a number of fundamental convictions, the Muslim community has, over time, split into different branches and groups. The major split – into Sunni (87 to 90% of the global Muslim population) and Shiite Muslims (10 to 13%) – occurred as a result of leadership disputes which arose after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in AD 632.