51.   The Alawites, a liberal Islamic sect, belong to Arab, Kurdish and Turkish national groups.

52.   The attack followed a battle Friday between rival members of the two Islamic sects over control of a mountain.

53.   The alliance is comprised mainly of minority ethnic and religious groups, including Shiite Muslims, the same Islamic sect that dominates Iran.

54.   The annual self-flagellation has at times sparked violence between militant members of the rival Islamic sects in Iraq and other Muslim countries.

55.   The country is ruled by a government of the Islamic mainstream Sunni sect.

56.   The Interfax news agency said Friday that authorities believe that the Wahhabis, a fundamentalist Islamic sect, could be involved in the attack.

57.   The government will take stern measures to curb the spread of Shiite teachings in Malaysia and may ban the Islamic sect, a senior official said.

58.   The leader of a banned Islamic sect denied Saturday that he is trying to revive it.

59.   The Interfax news agency said authorities believe that the Wahhabis, a fundamentalist Islamic sect, could be involved in the attack.

60.   The ritual self-flagellation has sparked violence between militant members of the rival Islamic sects in Pakistan.