It was due to this book that he was poisoned by the Sunni ruler of Indian state of Jhajhar.

The Shia bore the forefront of popular frustrations with the failures of the Sunni rulers.

But other groups, mainly of Shiites suppressed for generations by Iraq's traditional Sunni rulers, insist the elections stay on schedule.

In modern day Saudi Arabia, the Sunni rulers limit Shia political participation to a game of notables.

Last year, majority Shiites staged widespread riots after a security crackdown by Sunni rulers.

Bahrain's majority Shiites began an uprising in February seeking greater rights from the kingdom's Sunni rulers.

Instead, under a process encouraged by Sunni rulers over the next four hundred years, Twelver Shia Islam became entrenched.

The association of the city with Shīʻa religious traditions led to it being treated with suspicion by Iraq's Sunni rulers.

"Bahrain's Sunni rulers have treated Shiite anti-government protesters seeking greater rights in the Gulf kingdom as enemies of state."

the politics of fear and the Sunni rulers' refusal to reform has strengthened the resolve of Bahrain's Shiite majority.