A Short History of Shia Persecution

Despite being an influential and significant denomination within the Muslim world, the Shi’a have had to suffer a history of persecution. In this short presentation, we will briefly cover major events in the history of the Shi’a community, particularly in the post-Ghaybah era. What is the context behind the attacks on the Shi’a community in the town of Karkh in the 4th/10th century? Who are some prominent Shi’i scholars executed unjustly and why? What do we know about Ottoman and Safavid rivalry? What are some contemporary cases of Shi’i persecution? How has the tide changed post-Islamic revolution in Iran and what strategies should the Shi’a community be considering, to ensure history does not continuously repeat itself? These are other similar points will be discussed in this presentation.