It appears that the Shiite population is in no hurry to help.

Most gulf nations with sizable Shiite populations experienced an increase in terrorist attacks and attempts during the war.

"Infiltration of agents to destabilize the Shiite population would clearly fall into that category."

Iran has the largest Shiite population in the Middle East.

Hezbollah is woven tightly into the lives of much of the Shiite population in southern Lebanon.

The Shiite population was very unsupportive of the fighters, although many were intimidated.

Another stems from the deep grievances of the Shiite population against the Sunni minority that has dominated the country since its founding.

Members of the Shiite population staged a violent rebellion, seeking a greater voice in running Bahrain.

It is not part of the eastern province and does not have a large Shiite population.

They said the ban was needed to halt Iraqi repression of the region's large and dissident Shiite population.