The split between the two sects has lasted since the death of Muhammad. Sunni Muslims remain the majority in most Muslim countries with the exception of Iraq and Iran. The split has been largely a peaceful division, since the Shi'ites lost the competition for dominance of the Muslim world early on. make this like a 6th grader wrote it

Ever since Muhammad died, there has been a separation between two groups of Muslims. The majority of Muslims in most countries are called Sunni Muslims, but Iraq and Iran have more Shi'ites. This split happened a long time ago and it was not very violent. The Shi'ites kind of lost the contest for being in charge of the Muslim world at the beginning.