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{{Shia Islam}}
{{Shia Islam}}
According to [[Pew Research Center]] and the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] [[The World Factbook|Factbook]], [[Shia Islam|Shi'as]] make up between 10%<ref name="PRC">{{cite web |url= http://pewforum.org/Muslim/Mapping-the-Global-Muslim-Population%286%29.aspx |title=Mapping the Global Muslim Population: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Muslim Population |accessdate=2010-08-24 |work=[[Pew Research Center]] |publisher= |date=October 7, 2009}}</ref> to 20%<ref name="CIA">{{cite web |url= https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html?countryName=Pakistan&countryCode=pk&regionCode=sas&#pk

|title=Religions: Muslim 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5% |accessdate=2010-08-24 |work= [[Central Intelligence Agency]] |publisher=[[The World Factbook]] on Pakistan|date=2010}}</ref> of the total [[Muslim]] population of [[Pakistan]]. This makes Pakistan the second-largest Shia country after [[Iran]]. The total Shia population in Pakistan is approximately 17 million<ref name="PRC"/> to as high as 30 million according to [[Vali Nasr]].<ref name="CC">{{cite web |url= http://www.cceia.org/resources/transcripts/5400.html
Approximately 30 percent of the Muslim population of [[Pakistan]] are Shia. However, this Shia minority forms the second-largest,<ref>Nasr, Vali, ''The Shia Revival'' (Norton), 2006, p.160</ref><ref>http://www.cceia.org/resources/transcripts/5400.html</ref><ref>http://www.islamicinsights.com/news/international-news/violence-against-pakistani-shias-continues-unnoticed.html</ref><ref>http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:-rqm2oipIDMJ:www.pol.ed.ac.uk/__data/assets/word_doc/0007/15649/Saleem_Khan.doc+Pakistan+has+the+second+largest+Shia+population&cd=22&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk</ref> Shia population of any country after [[Iran]], even larger than the Shia majority in [[Iraq]] and is also considered by few sources to be more than the [[Shi'a Islam in India|Shia population in India]]. They constitute a vast majority in [[Gilgit-Baltistan]]. Sources suggest the Pakistani Shia Muslim population is about 26,000,000 - 30,000,000. While foreseeing the [[Shi'a Islam in India|Indian]] claim of 50 million, automatically makes the Shia figure in Pakistan to be more the 50,000,000 seem legitimate, since they are nearly 30% of [[Islam in Pakistan|Pakistan's]] total Muslim Population of 173,000,000. Though there has never been any official census based on sectarian division in Pakistan, hence all the figures are rather mathematical or technical estimates. Many international sources claim Shia population of Pakistan to be around 10% - 25%, yet the [[Shia Islam|Shia Muslims]] in Pakistan claim to be one-third of the country's Muslim population, a claim that seems to be justified by the Political influence in the country.<ref name="PewMapping">{{cite web|url=http://pewforum.org/Muslim/Mapping-the-Global-Muslim-Population%286%29.aspx |title=Mapping the Global Muslim Population: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Muslim Population | editor-last = Miller | editor-first = Tracy | month = October | year = 2009 | publisher = [[Pew Research Center]] |accessdate=2010-06-09}}</ref><ref name="ciafactbook">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html|title=Pakistan|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]|work=[[World Factbook]]|accessdate=2008-02-13}}</ref><ref name="islamicinsights.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.islamicinsights.com/news/international-news/violence-against-pakistani-shias-continues-unnoticed.html |title=Violence Against Pakistani Shias Continues Unnoticed |publisher=Islamic Insights |date=30 March 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-23}}</ref> [[Shia Muslims]] are estimated to be 25-35 percent of the Muslim population in South Asia, although the total number is difficult to estimate due to the Intermingling between the [[Shia]]s & [[Sunni]]s and practice of [[Taqiyya]] by [[Shia Muslims]], hence the actual number of Shias could be far more than the given estimates.<ref>Momen, Moojan, ''An Introduction to Shi'i Islam'', Yale University Press, 1985, p.277</ref>
|title=The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future |accessdate=2010-08-24 |work=Vali Nasr, Joanne J. Myers |publisher= |date=October 18, 2006}}</ref> Globally, [[Shia Islam]] is represented by 10-13%, while the remaining 90% or nine-tenths is composed of [[Sunni Islam]].<ref name="Britannica">{{cite web |url= http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/574006/Sunnite |title=Sunnite |accessdate=2010-08-24 |work=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Online |date=2010}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
{{Expert}}
There is no certainty as to when the [[Shia]] community first established itself in the [[Indus River|Indus valley]], present [[Pakistan]]. As per historical evidences and the family tree maintained by the [[Sayyid|Sayyids]] who migratd to [[Indian subcontinent]] from [[Middle East]] the history of [[Shia Islam]] traces long back around 1000 years. The rulers of [[Multan]] and [[Sindh]] which are part of [[Pakistan]] now in the 11th century were adherents of [[Shia Islam]].<ref name="India Resource">{{cite web|url=http://india_resource.tripod.com/Punjab.html | title=Islam in India| publisher = [[India Resource]] |accessdate=2010-06-21}}</ref>
It is unknown when the Shia community first established itself in what is now the [[state]] of Pakistan or the [[Indian subcontinent]]. The region that is now Pakistan has been conquered and ruled mostly by Sunni empires, such as the [[Ghaznavids]], [[Ghurid Dynasty|Ghurids]], [[Timurid dynasty|Timurid]], [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]], [[Durrani Empire|Durrani]], and others.


Shia culture and belief has left its influence all over the [[Indian subcontinent]] with Imam al [[Husain ibn Ali]] becoming the revered personality in [[Indian subcontinent]] not only for the [[Shia]]s and [[Sunni]]s but also from non Muslim communities especially the Hindus of North India, that's apparent from members of Hindu community's participation in commemoration ceremonies of martyrdom of Imam [[Husain ibn Ali]] every year on the day of Ashura. It has been believed that prior to his martyrdom Imam [[Husain ibn Ali]] the grandson of [[Prophet Muhammed]] expressed his desire to go towards [[Al Hind]] or present day [[Pakistan]] and [[India]].
With Imam al [[Husain ibn Ali]] becoming the revered personality in [[Indian subcontinent]] not only for the [[Shia]]s and [[Sunni]]s but also from non Muslim communities especially the Hindus of North India, that's apparent from members of Hindu community's participation in commemoration ceremonies of martyrdom of Imam [[Husain ibn Ali]] every year on the day of Ashura. It has been believed that prior to his martyrdom Imam [[Husain ibn Ali]] the grandson of [[Prophet Muhammed]] expressed his desire to go towards [[Al Hind]] or present day [[Pakistan]] and [[India]].


In their Account many historians write that [[Husain ibn Ali]] and the Commander of the enemy forces, [[Umar ibn Sa'ad|Umar ibn Saad]] met before the [[Battle of Karbala]] at night and talked together for a long time. After that meeting [[Umar ibn Sa'ad|Umar ibn Saad]] sent a letter to the Governor of [[Kufa]], [[Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad]] in which he wrote that [[Husain ibn Ali]] has suggested that he go to ‘one of the border outposts’ of the rapidly expanding [[Muslim empire]] as a way of resolving conflict. Other traditions named Border Outpost as [[Al Hind]] or present day [[India]] & [[Pakistan]]. Even though [[Husain ibn Ali]] himself was not able to go to [[Indian subcontinent|Sub-continent]], some of the [[Shia]] did emigrate there for various reasons, including those who came as refugees whom [[Umayyads]] and [[Abbasids]] persecution. These refugees brought with them rituals which kept alive the [[Remembrance of Muharram|remembrance of Karbala]] and their [[Shia]] Identity.<ref>Toby Howarth. ''
In their Account many historians write that [[Husain ibn Ali]] and the Commander of the enemy forces, [[Umar ibn Sa'ad|Umar ibn Saad]] met before the [[Battle of Karbala]] at night and talked together for a long time. After that meeting [[Umar ibn Sa'ad|Umar ibn Saad]] sent a letter to the Governor of [[Kufa]], [[Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad]] in which he wrote that [[Husain ibn Ali]] has suggested that he go to ‘one of the border outposts’ of the rapidly expanding [[Muslim empire]] as a way of resolving conflict. Other traditions named Border Outpost as [[Al Hind]] or present day [[India]] & [[Pakistan]]. Even though [[Husain ibn Ali]] himself was not able to go to [[Indian subcontinent|Sub-continent]], some of the [[Shia]] did emigrate there for various reasons, including those who came as refugees whom [[Umayyads]] and [[Abbasids]] persecution. These refugees brought with them rituals which kept alive the [[Remembrance of Muharram|remembrance of Karbala]] and their [[Shia]] Identity.<ref>Toby Howarth. ''
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When General [[Zia ul-Haq]], the former military ruler of [[Pakistan]], introduced new laws to make [[Zakat]] deductions mandatory for every [[Muslim]] during the 1980s, [[Tehrik-e-Jafaria Pakistan|Tehrik-e-Jafaria]] held a large public demonstration in [[Islamabad]] to compel the government to exempt the [[Shia Muslim]] community from this law. This protest resulted in the ‘Islamabad Agreement’ in which the government agreed to introduce a separate syllabus for Shia students in public schools, as well as exempt the Shia community from the Zakat law, since Shia consider Zakat should to be paid to the needy rather than corrupt [[Sunni]] government. According to one senior Pakistani journalist who witnessed these events, Iranian leader [[Ayatollah Khomeini]] played an important role in this agreement being reached, and he sought assurances from General Zia al-Haq that Shia demands would be met. A message from Ayatollah Khomeini was also read out to the Shia protesters in Islamabad in which he called for them to keep up their spirits.<ref>http://www.ezsoftech.com/akram/shiasunniunity.asp</ref><ref>http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=3&id=16368</ref>
When General [[Zia ul-Haq]], the former military ruler of [[Pakistan]], introduced new laws to make [[Zakat]] deductions mandatory for every [[Muslim]] during the 1980s, [[Tehrik-e-Jafaria Pakistan|Tehrik-e-Jafaria]] held a large public demonstration in [[Islamabad]] to compel the government to exempt the [[Shia Muslim]] community from this law. This protest resulted in the ‘Islamabad Agreement’ in which the government agreed to introduce a separate syllabus for Shia students in public schools, as well as exempt the Shia community from the Zakat law, since Shia consider Zakat should to be paid to the needy rather than corrupt [[Sunni]] government. According to one senior Pakistani journalist who witnessed these events, Iranian leader [[Ayatollah Khomeini]] played an important role in this agreement being reached, and he sought assurances from General Zia al-Haq that Shia demands would be met. A message from Ayatollah Khomeini was also read out to the Shia protesters in Islamabad in which he called for them to keep up their spirits.<ref>http://www.ezsoftech.com/akram/shiasunniunity.asp</ref><ref>http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=3&id=16368</ref>


== Shia Muslim Communities in Pakistan ==
== Pakistan Shia communities ==
⚫
[[File:Photo Azadari Pak.jpg|thumb|[[Shiite Muslims]] of [[Pakistan]] take out [[Azadari|mourning]] procession in memory of [[Husain ibn Ali]] on the streets of [[Karachi]]]]
Pakistani Shia community is spread all across the country. Pakistan hosts a great number of distinct Shia communities, including the [[Turi (tribe)|Turis]], [[Bangash]] (50% Shia [[Pashtuns]]), [[Qizilbash]], [[Hazara people|Hazaras]], [[Balti people|Baltis]], [[Shias of Padhrar]], [[Khoja|Khojas]], [[Mustaali|Bohris]] and many more.
Pakistani Shia community is spread across the country, mainly in [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]], [[Sindh]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]], the capital [[Islamabad]]. Pakistan hosts a number of distinct Shia communities, including the [[Turi (tribe)|Turis]] and [[Bangash]] [[Pashtun tribes]], [[Qizilbash]], [[Hazara people|Hazaras]], [[Balti people|Baltis]], [[Shias of Padhrar]], [[Khoja|Khojas]], [[Mustaali|Bohris]] and others.


While the majority of Shia community comprises of local ethnic groups like the [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]], [[Sindhi people|Sindhis]], [[Pashtun people|Pashtuns]], [[Muhajir people|Muhajirs]], [[Kashmiri people|Kashmiris]] and few [[Baloch people|Balochis]]. There are also many Shias of [[Persian people|Persian-Arab]] descent. Pakistani Shia community also has a large
While the majority of Shia community comprises of local ethnic groups like the [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]], [[Sindhi people|Sindhis]], [[Muhajir people|Muhajirs]], [[Kashmiri people|Kashmiris]] and few [[Pashtun people|Pashtuns]] and [[Baloch people|Balochis]]. There are also many Shias of [[Persian people|Persian-Arab]] descent. Pakistani Shia community also has some who claim to be [[Sayyid]]s.
[[Sayyid]] population.


===Divisions within the Shia sect===
==Sects==
⚫
Although the overwhelming majority of Pakistani Shia Muslims belong to [[Ithna 'ashariyah]] school, there are significant minorities of [[Nizari]] [[Ismaili]]s ([[Agha Khan]]is) and the smaller [[Mustaali]] [[Dawoodi Bohra]] and [[Sulaimani Bohra]] branches.
⚫
[[File:Photo Azadari Pak.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Shiite Muslims]] of [[Pakistan]] take out [[Azadari|mourning]] procession in memory of [[Husain ibn Ali]] on the streets of [[Karachi]]]]
⚫
Although the overwhelming majority of Pakistani [[Shia]] Muslims belong to [[Ithna 'ashariyah]] school, there are significant minorities of [[Nizari]] [[Ismaili]]s (Aga Khanis) and the smaller [[Mustaali]] [[Dawoodi Bohra]] and [[Sulaimani Bohra]] branches.


The [[Shia]] [[Ithna 'ashariyah]] school has its own [[Mosque|Masjids]] and [[Hussainia]]s. [[Mustaali]] [[Dawoodi Bohra]] and [[Sulaimani Bohra]] also have their own [[Mosque|Masjids]]. While the [[Nizari]] [[Khoja]] [[Ismaili]]s (Aga Khanis) pray in [[Jama'at Khana]]s.
The Shia Ithna 'ashariyah school has its own [[Mosque|Masjids]] and [[Hussainia]]s. [[Mustaali]] [[Dawoodi Bohra]] and [[Sulaimani Bohra]] also have their own [[Mosque|Masjids]]. While the Nizari [[Khoja]] Ismailis pray in [[Jama'at Khana]]s.


== Notable Shia Muslim Personalities of Pakistan ==
== Notable Shia Pakistani personalities ==
[[File:Nadeem sarwar.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Nadeem Sarwar]], [[Pakistan]]’s most famous [[Nawha]] reciter, who has his prominence extended in [[India]] and rest of the World]]
[[File:Nadeem sarwar.jpg|thumb|[[Nadeem Sarwar]], one of [[Pakistan]]'s famous [[Nawha]] reciter, who has his prominence extended in [[India]] and else where.]]


'''Religion'''
'''Religion'''

* Grand [[Ayatollah]] [[Muhammad Hussain Najafi]] -
* Grand [[Ayatollah]] [[Muhammad Hussain Najafi]] -
* [[Ayatollah]] [[Allama Hussain Bakhsh Jarra]] -
* [[Ayatollah]] [[Allama Hussain Bakhsh Jarra]] -
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* Allama [[Arif Hussain Hussaini]] -
* Allama [[Arif Hussain Hussaini]] -
* [[Nadeem Sarwar]] -
* [[Nadeem Sarwar]] -
* [[Allameh Hashim Raza Ghadeery]] -
* [[Hassan Sadiq]] -
* [[Hassan Sadiq]] -
* [[Syed Ali Ausat Zaidi|Ali Ausat Zaidi]]
* [[Syed Ali Ausat Zaidi|Ali Ausat Zaidi]]
* [[Syed Tatheer Hussain Zaidi|Tatheer Hussain Zaidi]]
* [[Syed Tatheer Hussain Zaidi|Tatheer Hussain Zaidi]]
* [[Syed Safdar Hussain Najafi |Syed Safdar Hussain Naqvi]]
* [[Syed Safdar Hussain Najafi |Syed Safdar Hussain Naqvi]]
* [[syed khizer abbas rizvi]]
⚫
'''Politicians & Diplomats'''


⚫
'''Politicians & Diplomats'''
* [[Muhammed Ali Jinnah]]
* [[Muhammed Ali Jinnah]]
* [[Fatima Jinnah]]
* [[Fatima Jinnah]]
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* [[Murtaza Bhutto]]
* [[Murtaza Bhutto]]
* [[Shahnawaz Bhutto]]
* [[Shahnawaz Bhutto]]
* [[Ibrahim Jatoi]]
* [[Fahmida Mirza]]
* [[Fahmida Mirza]]
* [[Zulfiqar Mirza]]
* [[Zulfiqar Mirza]]
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'''Military Officer & Generals'''
'''Military Officer & Generals'''

* [[Yahya Khan]]
* [[Yahya Khan]]
* [[Musa Khan]]
* [[Musa Khan]]
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'''Musicians'''
'''Musicians'''

* [[Mehdi Hassan]]
* [[Mehdi Hassan]]
* [[Amanat Ali Khan]]
* [[Amanat Ali Khan]]
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'''Artists, Actors & Poets'''
'''Artists, Actors & Poets'''

* [[Mustafa Zaidi]]
* [[Mustafa Zaidi]]
* [[Afsar Madad Naqvi]]
* [[Afsar Madad Naqvi]]
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'''Academia, Architect & Scientists'''
'''Academia, Architect & Scientists'''

* [[Husain Mohammad Jafri]]
* [[Husain Mohammad Jafri]]
* [[Samad Rizvi]]
* [[Samad Rizvi]]
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'''Writers'''
'''Writers'''

* [[Fatima Bhutto]]
* [[Fatima Bhutto]]
* [[Azhar Abidi]]
* [[Azhar Abidi]]
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'''Press & Journalism'''
'''Press & Journalism'''

* [[Naveen Naqvi]]
* [[Naveen Naqvi]]
* [[Asieh Namdar]] -
* [[Asieh Namdar]] -
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'''Business and Banking'''
'''Business and Banking'''

* [[Agha Hasan Abedi]]
* [[Agha Hasan Abedi]]
* [[Saddaruddin Hashwani]]
* [[Saddaruddin Hashwani]]
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'''Others'''
'''Others'''

* [[Bilawal Bhutto Zardari]]
* [[Bilawal Bhutto Zardari]]
* [[Faryal Talpur]]
* [[Faryal Talpur]]
* [[Sanam Bhutto]]
* [[Sanam Bhutto]]
* [[Mirza Sajid Iqbal]]


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 01:23, 25 August 2010

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According to Pew Research Center and the CIA Factbook, Shi'as make up between 10%[1] to 20%[2] of the total Muslim population of Pakistan. This makes Pakistan the second-largest Shia country after Iran. The total Shia population in Pakistan is approximately 17 million[1] to as high as 30 million according to Vali Nasr.[3] Globally, Shia Islam is represented by 10-13%, while the remaining 90% or nine-tenths is composed of Sunni Islam.[4]

History

It is unknown when the Shia community first established itself in what is now the state of Pakistan or the Indian subcontinent. The region that is now Pakistan has been conquered and ruled mostly by Sunni empires, such as the Ghaznavids, Ghurids, Timurid, Mughals, Durrani, and others.

With Imam al Husain ibn Ali becoming the revered personality in Indian subcontinent not only for the Shias and Sunnis but also from non Muslim communities especially the Hindus of North India, that's apparent from members of Hindu community's participation in commemoration ceremonies of martyrdom of Imam Husain ibn Ali every year on the day of Ashura. It has been believed that prior to his martyrdom Imam Husain ibn Ali the grandson of Prophet Muhammed expressed his desire to go towards Al Hind or present day Pakistan and India.

In their Account many historians write that Husain ibn Ali and the Commander of the enemy forces, Umar ibn Saad met before the Battle of Karbala at night and talked together for a long time. After that meeting Umar ibn Saad sent a letter to the Governor of Kufa, Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad in which he wrote that Husain ibn Ali has suggested that he go to ‘one of the border outposts’ of the rapidly expanding Muslim empire as a way of resolving conflict. Other traditions named Border Outpost as Al Hind or present day India & Pakistan. Even though Husain ibn Ali himself was not able to go to Sub-continent, some of the Shia did emigrate there for various reasons, including those who came as refugees whom Umayyads and Abbasids persecution. These refugees brought with them rituals which kept alive the remembrance of Karbala and their Shia Identity.[5]

While Shi'a Muslims have found a refuge in Sub-continent, tensions between them Sunnis has resulted in the creation in recent years of Shi'a-specific organizations. Shias in Pakistan and India also faced persecution by some Mughal Emperors which resulted in martyrdom of great Shia Scholar Qazi Nurullah Shustari also known as Shaheed-e-Thaalis that means the third Martyr. Many Nawabs and Tipu Sultan of Mysore, were among the famous Shias who were rulers in Indian subcontinent present day Pakistan and India.[6]

It has been believed that in seventh century few ladies from the household of Prophet Mohammad after Battle of Karbala came in Punjab province which is now a part of Pakistan. One of the prominent of them was Ruqayyah bint Ali, the daughter of Ali bin Abi Talib through his wife Ummul Banin, Ruqayyah bint Ali was the sister of Abbas ibn Ali and wife of Muslim ibn Aqeel. Still her shrine in Lahore, Punjab of Pakistan, is visited by people all around and she is referred as Bibi Pak Daman.

Political Influence

Pakistan is the only Sunni majority country where Shias have been elected to top offices and played an important part in the country's Independence, history and nation building. The founder of Pakistan Muhammed Ali Jinnah, Muhammad Ali Bogra, Khawaja Nazimuddin and their families were Shia Muslims, and so are the Bhuttos, Asif Ali Zardari, Haidar Abbas Rizvi, Syeda Abida Hussain, Syed Fakhar Imam, Faisal Saleh Hayat, Fahmida Mirza, Zulfiqar Mirza and several other top ranking Pakistani Politicians and Generals such as Mushaf Ali Mir, Yahya Khan, Musa Khan and Iskander Mirza.[7]

While in past few decades, to address the legal needs and political support of the Shi'a population in Pakistan organization like Tehrik-e-Jafaria Pakistan & ISO were formed, while Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan a Shia militant group was formed to deter the militancy against Shias by Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan a Sunni Deobandi militant group. Although the Sunni & Shia Muslims usually coexist peacefully, sectarian violence occurs sporadically.

When General Zia ul-Haq, the former military ruler of Pakistan, introduced new laws to make Zakat deductions mandatory for every Muslim during the 1980s, Tehrik-e-Jafaria held a large public demonstration in Islamabad to compel the government to exempt the Shia Muslim community from this law. This protest resulted in the ‘Islamabad Agreement’ in which the government agreed to introduce a separate syllabus for Shia students in public schools, as well as exempt the Shia community from the Zakat law, since Shia consider Zakat should to be paid to the needy rather than corrupt Sunni government. According to one senior Pakistani journalist who witnessed these events, Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini played an important role in this agreement being reached, and he sought assurances from General Zia al-Haq that Shia demands would be met. A message from Ayatollah Khomeini was also read out to the Shia protesters in Islamabad in which he called for them to keep up their spirits.[8][9]

Pakistan Shia communities

File:Photo Azadari Pak.jpg
Shiite Muslims of Pakistan take out mourning procession in memory of Husain ibn Ali on the streets of Karachi

Pakistani Shia community is spread across the country, mainly in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the capital Islamabad. Pakistan hosts a number of distinct Shia communities, including the Turis and Bangash Pashtun tribes, Qizilbash, Hazaras, Baltis, Shias of Padhrar, Khojas, Bohris and others.

While the majority of Shia community comprises of local ethnic groups like the Punjabis, Sindhis, Muhajirs, Kashmiris and few Pashtuns and Balochis. There are also many Shias of Persian-Arab descent. Pakistani Shia community also has some who claim to be Sayyids.

Divisions within the Shia sect

Although the overwhelming majority of Pakistani Shia Muslims belong to Ithna 'ashariyah school, there are significant minorities of Nizari Ismailis (Agha Khanis) and the smaller Mustaali Dawoodi Bohra and Sulaimani Bohra branches.

The Shia Ithna 'ashariyah school has its own Masjids and Hussainias. Mustaali Dawoodi Bohra and Sulaimani Bohra also have their own Masjids. While the Nizari Khoja Ismailis pray in Jama'at Khanas.

Notable Shia Pakistani personalities

File:Nadeem sarwar.jpg
Nadeem Sarwar, one of Pakistan's famous Nawha reciter, who has his prominence extended in India and else where.

Religion

Politicians & Diplomats

Military Officer & Generals

Musicians

Artists, Actors & Poets

Academia, Architect & Scientists

Writers

Press & Journalism

Business and Banking

Sports

Others

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Mapping the Global Muslim Population: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Muslim Population". Pew Research Center. October 7, 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  2. ^ "Religions: Muslim 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5%". Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook on Pakistan. 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  3. ^ "The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future". Vali Nasr, Joanne J. Myers. October 18, 2006. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  4. ^ "Sunnite". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  5. ^ Toby Howarth. The Twelver Shi'a as a Muslim Minority in India: Pulpit of Tears . Chapter From Karbala to India, page 07
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ http://faroutliers.wordpress.com/2006/10/13/pakistans-transition-from-shia-to-sunni-leadership/
  8. ^ http://www.ezsoftech.com/akram/shiasunniunity.asp
  9. ^ http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=3&id=16368
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