The Arabian Peninsula Bahrain Kuwait Oman Saudi Arabia Qatar UAE Yemen

Nomadic desert dweller called Bedouins created strong family ties and developed fighting skills. Fighting skills helped to spread Islam The religion of Islam impacts every aspect of life.

Ottoman Empire Muslim empire that dominated parts of Europe, the Middle East and Africa for 600 years. Their power started to decline in the 1800s due to tribal conflict, a lack of a unified culture and revolution in their territories. What remains today is the country of Turkey.

1600s  Muslim leaders became weak. After WWI, much of the Middle East fell under control of France and Britain for control of the Suez Canal and oil. Only parts of the Arabian Peninsula were colonized.

Oil Dominates Region grew in importance with oil. By 1960 Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other nations established OPEC to control worldwide oil prices in trade.

OPEC nations

Modern Arabic Life Urbanization and modernization increasing. challenging traditional Arabic lifestyles. Use of Western technology and machines goes against traditional ways of life. Millions abandoned their lives as villagers, farmers and nomads to move to the cities.

Saudi Arabia “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.”

Saudi Arabia sits on 25% of the world’s oil reserve. Cradle of Islam due to Mecca and Medina being major holy sites. In the 1900s it transformed from desert nomadic tribes to one of the most economically powerful countries in the world. 1902, Abdul al-Aziz Ibn Saud took over most of the Arabian Peninsula for the Saud family and united the tribes to make the country of Saudi Arabia.

The Saud family set up a monarchy type of government. Shura council  reviews laws but does not have legislative powers. Members are appointed by the king. Under the Saud family the country has modernized, become powerful and has attempted to keep from extremism growing in their country due to the threat it poses to the royal family and way of life in a strict society. In an attempt to stop extremism they allowed the U.S. to have a base in their country from Today there are US military advisers in place and a drone base.

Saud family does not tolerate opposition which encouraged dissident groups to emerge like al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden who was from Saudi Arabia. Saud family implemented a strict form of Sunni Islam called Wahhabism. Belief that Islam should go back to its original principles and use only the Quran, Hadiths and Sharia law. Law and government based on Sharia Law. Interpreted by strict religious clerics. Religious police called mutawwa enforce Sharia Law.

Strict society is criticized for its treatment of religious and political minorities, homosexuals, and women Political parties are banned. Women are excluded from public society due to sex segregation. Women have to cover their heads (hijab) and in some conservative regions wear the full black head to toe covering head (abaya and niqab) when out in public. Women are not allowed to travel, work, study abroad, marry, get divorced or go to a public hospital without permission from a male guardian.

Women are educated and have a 91% literacy rate so they are advocating for change. New steps toward equality(ish): 1. March, 2013  given 30 seats on an advisory committee to the King. 2. April, 2013  Allowed to ride bikes in public for entertainment if accompanied by a man. 3. May, 2013  Allowed sports in private schools. 4. October, 2013  began discussion to allow women the right to drive. 5. December 2015  women will be allowed to vote and run for local office.