Yes, I did forget the Kurds; an oversight for which I must apologize. This makes Iraq even more complex because, as I understand it, their position is unstettled.

As for translating the Koran, yes there are translations, mostly English. Notice that I said 'observant' Muslims, however. My information comes from my copy of the Koran (translated by a Pakistani) and from Palestinian friends. 'Observant' Muslims feel that translation degrades and distorts the message.

Herr Schaum is technically correct in all he says. But he omits the war that began the Shia/Sunni split and all its concommitant ill will. In every day life, the per centage required for the 'Concensus' is ignored. Oratory is content with a majority.

Teribus, also, is technically correct in his list of secular Muslim states. My characterization comes from an article in Jane's a few years ago which further defined these states in terms of how prevalent Sharia was and how dominant religious leadership was.