1.   Herat has a significant Shiite minority.

2.   Pakistan has a history of sectarian violence between its Shiite minority and the Sunni Muslim majority.

3.   The no-flight zones were established to protect the Shiite minority in the south, and the Kurds in the north.

4.   A similar no-fly zone in southern Iraq was set up to protect the Shiite minority there.

5.   A similar no-fly zone in southern Iraq has been set up to protect Shiite minorities.

6.   A similar no-fly zone was also set up in southern Iraq to protect Shiite minorities.

7.   A top Lebanese Shiite clergyman arrived Thursday for talks with senior Egyptian officials following a crackdown on the tiny Shiite minority in Egypt.

8.   A top Lebanese Muslim Shiite cleric said Tuesday that a dispute with Egypt over a crackdown on its small Shiite minority was over.

9.   Afghanistan -- The government has engaged in persecution and killing, particularly against the Shiite minority.

10.   Although most Arab countries have Sunni majorities, significant Shiite minorities live in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan.