... Because Shiite Islam was the state religion, Sunni Muslims fled the empire. Answer. The Sunni-Shia split is complicated by the nationalistic schism between Middle East countries. The history of Ottoman–Safavid relations started with the establishment of Safavid dynasty in Persia in the early 16th century.The initial Ottoman–Safavid conflict culminated in the Battle of Chaldiran in 1514, and was followed by a century of border confrontation. The Ottoman Empire, which expanded as far as Vienna in the 17th Century, and ultimately fell apart by the end of the first World War. The Ottoman Empire was officially a SUNNI Caliphate. Shia (/ ˈ ʃ iː ə /; Arabic: شيعة ‎) Muslims make up the majority of the Iraqi population, with 70% of Iraqis identifying as Shia Muslims. The Ottoman Empire was the heart of the Sunni Caliphate, so the Sunnis were actually in power. Here is a primer on the basic differences between Sunni and Shia Islam. The Ottoman Empire was officially a SUNNI Caliphate. Shiite Islam was vilified and often repressed, being strongly associated with the Ottomans' rival to the east, the Safavid Empire. The Safavid conversion of Iran to Shia Islam was a process that took place roughly over the 16th through 18th centuries and turned Iran , which previously had a Sunni majority, into the spiritual bastion of Shia Islam . Among the main opponents of the Ottoman state was the Safavid Empire, a Shiʿi Muslim empire to the east of the Ottoman lands. Ottoman Empire. Shiite Islam was vilified and often repressed, being strongly associated with the Ottomans' rival to the east, the Safavid Empire. Both Shia and Sunni dissidents in Yemen have similar complaints about the government—cooperation with the American government and an alleged failure to following Sharia law —but it's the Shia who have allegedly been singled out for government crackdown. It was an empire inspired and sustained by Islam, and Islamic institutions. Shiite Islam was vilified and often repressed, being strongly associated with the Ottomans' rival to the east, the Safavid Empire. Was the Ottoman Empire Sunni or Shia Islam? Question: Was the Ottoman empire Sunni or Shia? 9 years ago. The Ottoman Empire was officially a SUNNI Caliphate. Both Shia and Sunni dissidents in Yemen have similar complaints about the government—cooperation with the American government and an alleged failure to following Sharia law —but it's the Shia who have allegedly been singled out for government crackdown. The Safavid Empire was established in Persia (modern Iran) in the 16th century and expanded to include parts of Turkey and Georgia. How Do Sunni and Shia Islam Differ? Was Ottoman Empire a Sunni Islamic Empire? Islam in Turkey is the largest religion in the country. Mughal Empire Sunni or Shia. The Ottoman Empire, which expanded as far as Vienna in the 17th Century, and ultimately fell apart by the end of the first World War. Islam was the official religion of the Ottoman Empire.The highest position in Islam, caliphate, was claimed by the sultan, after the defeat of the Mamluks which was established as Ottoman Caliphate.The Sultan was to be a devout Muslim and was given the literal authority of the Caliph. The Ottoman Empire was the heart of the Sunni Caliphate, so the Sunnis were actually in power. The established presence of Islam in the region that now constitutes modern Turkey dates back to the latter half of the 11th century, when the Seljuks started expanding into eastern Anatolia.. 9 years ago. Shia Islam has a long history in Iraq; the fourth caliph of Sunni Islam and the first Imam of Shia Islam, Ali ibn Abi Talib, moved the capital of the empire from Medina to Kufa (or Najaf) two decades after the death of Muhammad. Shia–Sunni conflict in Yemen involves the Shia insurgency in northern Yemen.