Ali

Ali (Ali ibn Abu Talib), 598?–661, 4th caliph (656–61). The debate over his right to the caliphate caused a major split in Islam into Sunni and Shiite branches, and he is regarded by the Shiites as the first Imam, or leader: Shiite derives from the phrase shi-at Ali [Ar.=the party of Ali]. He was the son of Abu Talib, Muhammad's uncle, but was more closely related to the Prophet as the husband of Fatima. He was one of the Prophet's first and most faithful followers. There are conflicting traditions on whether Muhammad intended Ali to be his immediate sucessor. In 656 he became the 4th caliph on Uthman's death. He was strongly opposed by Aishah, the Prophet's wife; Muawiya, who later founded the Umayyad dynasty; and dissatisfied ex-supporters, the Khawarijis. The Khawarijis succeeded in assassinating him in 661. His eldest son Hasan (624–70) abdicated in favor of Muawiya. Ali and his second son Husein (626–80) are the great martyrs of the Shiites.

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Ali

'G' Hits the Funny Spot: Wazzup wit dis Ali G? Why he asks old dudes dem wack questions? And he a Cambridge man, why he talk like dis?(comedian Sacha Baron Cohen portrays Ali G. Cohen on 'Da Ali G. Show') (Newsweek)

Career: Baghdad To Houston.(Iraqi boxer Najah Ali)(Brief Article)(Biography) (Newsweek)

My drive to Israel.(Egyptian playwright Ali Salem) (Middle East Quarterly)

Muhammad Ali: Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee; let him at Frazier, he'll take him in three; he's that fund-raising genius, Muhammad Ali! The forever champ recently presided over Celebrity Fight Night, a Phoenix, Ariz., benefit that has raised more than $25 million for Parkinson's disease research over 10 years. Ali, 63, who suffers from Parkinson's, spoke with Scoop via e-mail.(Interview) (People Weekly)

Totally Ludacris; The rapper tries breaking new ground--and asks NEWSWEEK's Lorraine Ali if he's hit paydirt.(Interview) (Newsweek)

Voices Carry; Pop eccentric Bjork vocalizes with NEWSWEEK's Lorraine Ali about her instrument-free album.(Interview) (Newsweek)

Al-Sadr dashes hopes of early end to siege A defiant Mahdi army says it will continue to defend the holy Imam Ali shrine in Najaf even after the keys have been handed over (The Sunday Telegraph)

Ali Jusoh's bold stroke (New Straits Times)

Does the Kid Know How to Rock? The artist formerly known as Bob Ritchie spars with NEWSWEEK's Lorraine Ali.(Interview) (Newsweek)

Ali Cruises on a Ducati, CNNfn (Street Sweep (CNNfn))

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See more Encyclopedia articles on: Middle Eastern History: Biographies