Council of Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations: Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani
This profile comprised by the Council on Foreign Relations discusses Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's role in Iraqi politics and his influence on the region. (September 1, 2004)
BBC
Bbc: Who's Who in Iraq: Ayatollah Sistani
This profile focuses on the role of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraqi politics and government. (26 August 2004)
Other
Isfahan: History of the Safavids
This site explores the Safavid dynasty, from its earliest beginnings with the Sufi order, to the final end marked by Afghanis laying siege to Isfahan during the summer of 1722.
University of Calgary
University of Calgary: The Safavid Empire
The "Shah Ismail" section of the Safavid Empire history describes how the Safavid Empire differed from other Muslim empires and how Shi'ite Islam contributed to that.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Introduction to Islam
This short introduction to Islam covers the origins and the life of Muhammad the Prophet, the Qur'an, and the four "rightly-guided" Caliphs.