 Baháʼís, however, assert that their religion is a distinct tradition with its own scriptures, teachings, laws, and history.While the religion was initially seen as a sect of Islam, most religious specialists now see it as an independent religion, with its religious background in Shiʻa Islam being seen as analogous to the Jewish context in which Christianity was established.Muslim institutions and clergy, both Sunni and Shia, consider Baháʼís to be deserters or apostates from Islam, which has led to Baháʼís being persecuted.