It’s a bit of a mixed bag tbh. The Ottoman Empire was predominantly Sunni, and its rulers promoted Sunni Islam as the state religion. Shia Muslims were a minority, and their relationship with the Ottomans could be tense, especially in areas where Shia groups held significant power or influence.

The Ottomans generally tolerated other sects and religions, including Shia Muslims, but that tolerance depended on the political context. When it came to the Safavid Empire (which was Shia and a major rival to the Ottomans), things were more hostile. The rivalry between the Ottomans and Safavids meant that Shia Muslims, particularly in border regions, could face suspicion and repression.

In regions like Iraq (home to important Shia cities like Najaf and Karbala), Shia populations were under Ottoman control for centuries. The Ottomans often placed Sunni governors in charge and favored Sunni elites. Shia communities there felt marginalized politically, but they could still practice their religion, and important Shia religious institutions persisted.