Economic Development or Traditional Values? Modern Islamic Nations in SW Asia have a major decision…

Traditional Southwest Asia (Islamic Society) Modern Southwest Asia (Islamic Society ) Religion- Islam guide all aspects of society. (No separation of religion from government/politics and the economy.) Role of Women – minimal education, complacency to men, wear burkas & head scarf Economics- Based on primary activities like fishing, agriculture and drilling. interest can be ruled illegal due to Islamic laws. Role of Women- women entering the workplace as teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc Westernization – Examples – technology, diet, language, religion, entertainment, law, political system Economics- Tertiary & Quaternary Activities development of banks, stock markets, shopping malls, tourism

Traditional Southwest Asia The religion of Islam can guide all aspects of society. No separation of religion from government/politics and the economy. Some governments are Theocracies, based on the religion of Islam and their holy book the Qu’ran. Islamic law can enforce men to wear beards

The word used to describe a government controlled by religious leaders? Theocracy

Religious Law – Characteristics Laws based on the Qu’ran Religious guidelines for prayers, fasting, giving to the poor, and many other religious matters Social guidelines for personal hygiene, diet, sexual conduct, and raising children Economic laws and procedures based on the Islam

Religious Law vs. Secular Law Islamic Law = (Sharia) Secular Law = laws that have no religious connection or influence decides the law (Qu’ran) (People)

Traditional Economy -Based on primary activities like fishing, agriculture and drilling.

Traditional Southwest Asia – Economy The use of interest (amount of money paid on loans) and other economic transactions can be ruled illegal due to Islamic laws. Traditional open-air market selling agricultural products. The woman is wearing a burqa.

Economic Development or Traditional Values? Southwest Asia countries want to become developed. To do this, they have to change… The concern is that economic change is a threat to traditional values.

Modern Southwest Asia Tertiary Activities –development of banks, stock markets –shopping malls, tourism –women entering the workplace as teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc. Burj Dubai Skyscrapper Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2010 Worlds Tallest Building – 2,717 ft./ 162 stories Female doctor wearing a hijab

Modern Southwest Asia Quaternary Activities –development of TV, media, and internet –secular (non-religious) universities Dubai’s Media City, home to news stations, online publishing, newspapers

Modern Southwest Asia and Westernization Westernization – When a non-Western country adopts Western Ideas and traditions like culture, government, and economics.

Where does Westernization come from? + Untied States Europe

Modern Southwest Asia Modernization = increased industrialization, increased urbanization, increased social changes How will these affect Southwest Asian society? Automobiles Vs camels Open Air Markets Vs supermarkets & Malls Technical oil industry jobs require upgrades to education systems

Modern Southwest Asia – Affecting Religious Law? What are ways religious duties shape lives still? –Few Arabic women are educated and wear burkas to “ Please Allah” –Fasting during Ramadan can impact client contacts over business lunches & dinners –Faithful Muslims stop to pray This can even stop traffic impacting trade

Traditional Southwest Asia (Islamic Society) Modern Southwest Asia (Islamic Society ) Religion- Islam guide all aspects of society. (No separation of religion from government/politics and the economy.) Role of Women – minimal education, complacency to men, wear burkas & head scarf Economics- Based on primary activities like fishing, agriculture and drilling. interest can be ruled illegal due to Islamic laws. Role of Women- women entering the workplace as teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc Westernization – Examples – technology, diet, language, religion, entertainment, law, political system Economics- Tertiary & Quaternary Activities development of banks, stock markets, shopping malls, tourism