Over 60 percent of Iraqis belong to the Shiite branch of Islam.

Those battles gave birth to the Shiite branch of the faith and inspired its cult of martyrdom.

They follow the Shi'ite branch of Islam.

The region is home to the Hazaras, people set apart by their Asiatic features and adherence to the Shiite branch of Islam.

In Iran, home of the Shiite branch, which has an influential minority in Kuwait, women can vote and hold office.

But it occupies a hallowed place in Iranian history as a theological center for the Shiite branch of Islam for 10 centuries.

Mr. Shapiro said the professorship would be devoted to the study of the culture and tradition of the Shiite branch of Islam.

Iraq's southern population is dominated by Arabs who follow the Shiite branch of Islam.

It grew out of the Shi'ite branch of the Muslim faith.

In the Shiite branch of Islam prevalent in Iran, learned scholars write lengthy tomes about customs and practices that the faithful turn to for advice.