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'''Muslims''' are people who follow [[Islam]]. 

[[Image:Islam_country_map.JPG|thumb|300px|Distribution of Islam, Sunni (green) and Shi'a (blue).]]
Those that make up the majority of the worlds Muslim population (80-85%) strictly follow only [[Muhammad]] and are called Sunni, while those who also follow the teachings of Muhammad's son-in-law Ali, are called Shia and make up about 10-15%. There are few fringe minority groups or divisions which include Sufi, a [[mystical]] tradition.<ref name=crs>"[http://www.fas.org/irp/crs/RS21745.pdf Islam: Sunnis and Shiites]." CRS, February 23, 2004. Accessed October 13, 2008.</ref>

Sunni Islam is derived from the word Sunnah which means "example" or "way", from that of Muhammad. They maintain a huge majority overall but especially in [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Morocco]], [[Turkey]], [[Somalia]], [[Pakistan]], [[Libya]] and [[Egypt]]. The Shia being considered the minority within Islam can also be referred to as the Shiites maintain healthy majorities in [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Syria]] and [[Bahrain]].<ref name=demos>[[Wikipedia:Demographics of Islam|Demographics of Islam]] by [[Wikipedia]]</ref>

The Sunni and Shia both follow [[Qur'an]], they follow the teachings of Muhammad, offer prayers to Allah five times a day, fast in the month of Ramadan and both support visiting Mecca once in the follower's lifetime as an essential part of gaining salvation (the ''hajj''). They differ however in adherence and loyalty because the Shia follow Ali and Muhammad.

== References ==
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[[Category:Islam]]