Israeli military advances are seen as unlikely to extricate the group, which is as much a part of society as its Shiite faith.

Chopin remarks that the inhabitants of Kilit village were professing Shiite faith and their language is not similar to any of the other local dialects.

He knew that Kasim had not taken to the Shiite faith with any sincerity and that did not bother him.

Each elaborate design includes the fundamental tenets of the Shiite faith: "There is no other God but God.

The Shiite faith was founded on the idea of self-sacrifice in the cause of justice.

Thus its destruction is a direct attack on the Shiite faith.

Najaf is expected to become the center of Shiite faith once again when influential clerics return and begin teaching at its seminaries.

The martyrdom of Hussein is one pole of Shiite faith, leaving it with a legacy of put-upon suffering.

That requires some understanding of the Shiite faith that dominates Iran.

"We don't have a problem with someone trying to advance his Shiite faith," the security official said.