THE MUSLIM WORLD

 

5 Sudan
Population 29 million. About 70 per cent are Muslim, in the northern two-thirds of the country, mostly of the Maliki school of Sunni Islam. Since 1983 there has been civil war between government forces and the Christian and animist majority in the south; about 1.4 million people have been killed.

6 Saudi Arabia
Population 21 million. Islam is the only publicly permitted religion. Central to Muslim world because it includes the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. State and religion dominated by hardline Wahhabi movement of Sunni Islam. Some Shi'i on eastern coast.

7 Yemen
Population 18 million. A kind of Shi'ism called Zaydi Islam has been established in the mountains here since the 9th century; its followers are also called Fivers. North and South Yemen were unified in 1990, but a civil war followed in 1994. Direct presidential elections were held in 1999.

8 Iraq
Population 23 million. More than 90 per cent Muslim, of whom about 60 per cent Shi'i, 40 per cent Sunni. Government by secularist Ba'ath party regime. War with neighbouring Iran, 1980-88. Invaded Kuwait 1990; defeated by coalition between Nato and several Muslim countries, 1991.

9 Iran
Population 76 million, 99 per cent Muslim. Muslims 92 per cent Shi'i and 8 per cent Sunni. Islamic Revolution 1979 ousted Shah and established an Islamic Republic. War with neighbouring Iraq, 1980-88.

 

10 Afghanistan
Population 26 million. More than 90 per cent Muslim. About 85 per cent Sunni; 15 per cent Shi'i, the latter largely in areas that resisted control of the Taliban regime of hardline religious students and their followers, influenced by Wahhabi ideology espoused by Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network. When the Taliban refused to hand bin Laden over to America after the September 11 attack on Manhattan, America and its coalition went to war against Afghanistan.

11 Pakistan
Population 156 million. About 95 per cent Muslim, of whom 80 per cent Sunni and 20 per cent Shi'i. Recognised Taliban regime of Afghanistan, and supported it through its secret service. Military government since coup led by General Pervaiz Musharraf in 1999. In long-runnng dispute with India over control of mainly Muslim Kashmir. Possesses nuclear weapons.

12 India
Population 1,006 million. Predominantly Hindu (82 per cent); about 11 per cent Muslim, of whom almost all Sunni. Democratically elected government. In dispute with Pakistan over mainly Muslim Kashmir. Possesses nuclear weapons.

13 Bangladesh
Population 128 million. About 88 per cent Sunni Muslim. Hindu minority of about 1 per cent. Became independent from Pakistan in 1972 after a civil war.

14 Indonesia
Population 212 million; about 87 per cent Muslim, making it the country with the most Muslims. Almost all are Sunni. Islam became established in the 13th century, and by the 18th century most people in Java and Sumatra were Muslims. The culture of the country has also been much influenced by Hinduism and animist ideas.