CHAPTER 9: ARABIA AND IRAQ SECTION 3: ARABIA AND IRAQ TODAY Southwest Asia

Religious Traditions Islam is a very important source of Arabia’s and Iraq’s cultural traditions.  most people share a religion, but they have different ideas about politics and cultural activities

Religious Traditions Wahhabism  branch of Sunni Islam  believe in returning to the original teachings of Islam and interpreting the Quran literally, and rejecting all modern interpretations of Islamic scripture  form of fundamentalism; the belief that holy books should be taken literally, or word for word

Religious Traditions Wahhabism (continued)  believe that government should be based on the teachings of Islam  Islamism: the belief that politics and society should follow Islamic teachings.  The rulers of Saudi Arabia are Wahhabis.  Wahhabism determines much of the kingdom’s politics  most Muslims in this area are not Wahhabis nor Islamists.

Religious Traditions Islamism and Jihad A small number of Muslims see European and American influence as a threat.  Jihad  a form of Islamism which draws on the Arabic word for “struggle”. Jihadists believe this is a violent struggle. Most Muslims believe it refers to the struggle to be a better person  supports the used of violent attack against Westerners or Muslims with a different approach to Islam.

Religious Traditions Islamism and Jihad al Qaeda  radical Islamists led by Osama bin Laden  practice terrorism: the use of violence against innocent civilians to create fear for political reasons  most Muslims reject violent jihad and terrorism because it goes against the holy writings of Islam

Religious Traditions Reading Check Are all Islamists fundamentalists? No

A Region Built on Oil One Track Economies Oil sales have made some governments in this region wealthy.  give cash and free services to citizens even if they do not work  result: businesses hire millions of foreign workers to do jobs that citizens are unwilling or unable to do

A Region Built on Oil One Track Economies Economic growth depends on four conditions:  natural resources  educated workers  investment in local businesses  entrepreneurship  the willingness to take the risks of starting a business

A Region Built on Oil One Track Economies Oil and gas are great natural resources  Oils sales lets the region get by without meeting the other three conditions for economic growth.  Education in the region failed to prepare its people, especially women until recently.  There has been little investment outside of the oil industry.  little entrepreneurship

A Region Built on Oil Trying to Diversify go from just one or two sources of income to many sources.  to strengthen the economy  Improved education for the whole population, including women  encouraged investment and entrepreneurship

A Region Built on Oil Trying to Diversify Bahrain, and Dubai, a state in the United Arab Emirates, have become regional financial centers.  economies have diversified away from reliance on oil.

A Region Built on Oil Trying to Diversify Government’s money saved from oil earnings is being invested back into the countries:  desalination plants  education

A Region Built on Oil Reading Check Why are there so many foreign workers in Arabia? Oil income is available to pay foreign workers who do jobs local citizens do not want to do.

Arabia and Iraq in the Modern world The Pull of Global Culture Through more contact with the Western world, Arabia and Iraq have begun to adopt many Westernized practices.  many people in the region are uncomfortable with this change.

Arabia and Iraq in the Modern world The Place of Women In much of Arabia, women:  cannot travel without the permission of a father, husband, or other male relative.  are expected to cover their faces and hair and wear concealing baggy garments known as hijab.

Arabia and Iraq in the Modern world The Place of Women Tradition still shapes the lives of men and especially women in this region.  Women face restriction in Saudi Arabia.  forbidden to drive cars or ride bicycles  cannot legally meet with unrelated men in public  cannot pursue certain careers because of unrelated men  However, attitudes are beginning to change.

Arabia and Iraq in the Modern World Reading Check How is life changing for women in Arabia and Iraq? Women are gaining access to education and opportunities to work and pursue careers.