Middle Eastern Cultures Ethnic & Religious Groups Focus on religions Arabs, Persians, and Kurds SS7G8 a,b

What is the difference between an ethnic group and a religious group? An ethnic group is a group defined by similar physical and cultural characteristics. This can include color, race, and nationality. It can also include language, religion, customs and social views. A religious group is shares a belief in a god or gods. Religion is not defined to a particular ethnic group. A religious group can encompass several ethnic groups. It is a set of customs and beliefs.

Arabs Perhaps the most common Arab characteristic is obedience to the Islamic faith. Muslim Arabs compromise about 93 percent of the Arab population. They are a part of both the Shia and Sunni sects. The link between Arabs and Islam has deep historical roots. It was among Arabs early in the seventh century that Mohammed preached the faith of Islam. Mohammed's successors quickly spread the word of Allah into Southwest Asia, across North Africa and into parts of Europe. Wherever Muslims went, they left elements of Arab culture along with their religion. Arabic is the language of the Arabs.

Arabs Arab Quick Facts Followers of Islam Sunni & Shia Muslim Arabs make up 93% of the Arab population The other 7% of Arabs are Christian Or Druze Language is Arabic Islam dominates and dictates culture and lifestyle

Persians The Persian people are an ethnic group defined by the use of the language,Farsi, as their native dialect. The origin of the Persian people is traced to the ancient Indo-Iranians or Aryans, who arrived in parts of Iran around BCE. The early religion of Persia (Iran) was Zoroastrianism. Beliefs- the world is a combination both good and evil. Creation cannot exist without the presence of both. A small number still follow Zoroastrianism in Iran, but the majority of Persians today (modern Iranians) are Shia followers of Islam.

Persians Persian Quick Facts Descendants of the Aryans (Indo-Europeans) Found mostly in Iran (Ancient Persia) Early religion was known As Zoroastrianism But now are followers of Islam (Most are Shia Muslim) Language is Farsi Majority of Persians Are Sunni Muslims

Kurds The Kurds are an ethnic group that makes up about 20% of Turkey’s population. They are seeking to unite with other Kurds from Iraq, Iran, and Syria to form an independent homeland. A largely Sunni Muslim people with their own language and culture, most Kurds live in the generally contiguous areas of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Armenia and Syria – a mountainous region of southwest Asia generally known as Kurdistan ("Land of the Kurds"). The language of the Kurds is Kurdish.

Kurds Kurd Quick Facts Found in several Countries in Southwest Asia Syria, Turkey, Iran & Iraq Make up 20% of Turkey’s population Kurds want to unite To form an independent Homeland (country Language is Kurdish Kurds are mostly Sunni Muslim and have their own culture