Muslim subgroups sometimes do not recognize each other as Muslim and sometimes come into violent conflict with each other. The Sunni and Shia of Iraq are examples. Which of the following would they appropriately be called?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The term "sect" is the most appropriate because it refers to a subgroup within a larger religious tradition that may have ideological or theological differences with the dominant group. The Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq would be considered sects of Islam because they have distinct beliefs and practices, and even though they share some similarities, they do not recognize each other as equals in the faith. The other options do not accurately describe the relationship between these Muslim subgroups or their relationship to the broader Islamic tradition.

Muslim Subgroups Sometimes Do Not Recognize Each Other as Muslim