POLITICAL SCIENCE: 2200ESSAY # 2Islam is the religion of peace

Sabeq Alfozan

What is Islam?Islam is the religion of peace. This religion contains the latest guidelines for betterment of the mankind by Allah (GOD) through the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H)

Types of leaders in IslamThe Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is the first and forever leader of Muslims. After the death of the Muhammad (P.B.U.H) in 622 A.D, His followers guided the Muslims as Caliphs. Amir Mominin was first used for Abu Bakr (R.A), who was elected head of the Muslim community after Muhammad's death. After the End of Khilafat, Twelve Imams, Sons and grandsons of Hazrat-Ali (R.A) guided the Muslims. The title of Grand Mufti refers to the highest official of religious law in Sunni Muslim community. [1]

Sunni vs. ShiaThere are two main school of thoughts in Islam, Sunni and Shia. Majority of the Muslims belongs to Sunni school of thought. Sunni school of thought followers says, that all followers known as Sahaba (R.A) of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) are equal, and some even equalize Yazeed with other honorable followers of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). On other hand, the Shia sect of Muslims believe that some followers of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) are not respectable, especially those who martyred the Imam Hassan (R.A) and Imam Hussain (R.A).Majority of Shia Sect lives in Iran, Iraq, and Yamen. Iran is the leader of Shia school of thought, while Saudi Arabia is the leader of Sunni school of thought.Iran has more importance in Shia sect due to graves of Imams, and Saudi Arabia has importance due to Makah and Medina.

Population of Muslims There are 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, and it is estimated that the population of Muslims will be 2.2 billion by 2030. [2]Indonesia has the largest population of Muslims, and it has 228. 6 million Muslims. Iran is ranked at 7th position with population of 70.5 million people. In this list, Saudi Arabia is ranked at 14th position with Muslim population of 29.99 million.

Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia is a Sunni state. Saudi Arabia is more progressive than Iran. Traditions and attitudes of locals are shaped by Islamic and Bedouin culture. Literacy rate in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 95%. Has the worlds largest all women college.Saudi Arabia has 233,500 active military personnel [3], Petroleum is the main resource of KSA.Oil Production of KSA is 10 billion barrel/day, and it has Proven Oil Reserves of 265,789 million barrels. Saudi Arabia possesses18 per cent of the worlds proven petroleum reserves and ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum. [4]Defense budget of Saudi Arabia is $56,725,000,000, and external debit is $149,400,000,000. Reserves of Saudi Arabia in Foreign Exchange and Gold $739,500,000,000. [5]In Saudi Arabia, the Rules passes to the sons of the founding King, and to their childrens children. Government is based on the premise of justice, and equality in accordance with the Islamic Sharia. Security and stability of the Gulf region is the responsibility of the peoples and countries of the region.

IranIran is a Shia state. Culture is based on class, traditional and patriarchal views, also rooted in religion. The literacy rate in Iran is 83%.Main income resource of Iran is also Petroleum. Its Oil Production is 3,518,000 bbl/day, and proven Oil Reserves are 154,600,000,000 bbl/day. Defense Budget of Iran is $6,300,000,000, and External Debt is $15,640,000,000. Iran has 5, 45,000 active military personals. [6]Iran has political power, however elections are mostly just for show and measurement of regime legitimacy, and Political parties pay no major role in foreign policy matters. Iran currently maintains full diplomatic relations with 99 countries worldwide. [7]Groups based in more corporate identity have a greater ability to shape policy. Iran is an Islamic Republic.Conclusion:Petroleum industry is the main source of income for these two main Muslim countries, which will not sustain forever. So, they need to explore alternate sources of income. Iran and Saudi Arabia should have to be on a single page for the peace of the World, and betterment of all Muslims. The decisions of the leaders of these two countries have a vital impact on all Muslims of the World. The current scene in Yemen is terrible for all Muslims of the world. Religious and political leaders of Muslims have the responsibility to withdraw this useless war in which innocent people are being killed from both sides. Islam is the religion of peace, and Muslims should have to prove this with their doings.

References[1]Alexander Moore (1998). Cultural Anthropology. Rowman & Littlefield. p.389[2]The Future of the Global Muslim Population, http://www.pewforum.org/2011/01/27/the-future-of-the-global-muslim-population/[3]The Military Balance 2011, p. 267. International Institute for Strategic Studies, London, 2011.[4]Saudi Arabia facts and figures. http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/about_us/169.htm" http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/about_us/169.htm[5]Saudi Arabia Military Strength, http://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.asp?country_id=saudi-arabia[6]Iran Military Strength, http://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.asp?country_id=iran[7]"Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Iran". 2008. Archived from the original on 28 February 2009.