Sunni "Traditionalists"The followers of Sunni Islam make up 80% of the Muslim population in the world. The main difference between the two sects are who they believe has the right to be the successor of the Prophet Muhammad. The Sunni thought that the successor should be selected by the society and can be any practicing Muslim. They supported Abu Bakr after Muhammad died and Abu Bakr became the first caliph after Muhammad died.
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Shia/Shiites "The Party"
The followers of Shia Islam wanted Ali and his descendants to be caliphs after the death of Muhammad. Ali bin Abu Talib, the cousin/son-in-law of Muhammad, became the 4th caliph but when he was assassinated by enemies, the partisans of Ali organized the Shia sect. The Shia said that Ali and his descendants were infallible, divine, and sinless. Imams, leaders that are appointed by God Himself, are venerated by Shia Muslims. They often perform pilgrimages to the Imams' tombs and shrines. Most Shia are in Iran and Iraq.
Similarities
Despite all the argumentation between the two groups. the Shia and the Sunni both share the basic Islamic teachings and beliefs. They both believe in the same one God, the Prophet Muhammad, the Qu'ran, the holy book, and the five pillars of Islam. They both also perform mainly the same rituals; they both pray in the direction of Kaaba and they also perform the same pilgrimages. The two groups only differ in some minor and side issues.