SS7G8 The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East). A. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.

Unit Focus Events that happened leading up to the 21st century in SW Asia have changed or affected the people who live there. Ethnic Groups were affected Religious Groups were affected National boundaries were changed Conflicts between people groups have and still are taking place in the Middle East as a result of these changes.

The People of the Middle East SS7G8 The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East). a. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds. c. Compare and contrast the prominent religions in Southwest Asia (Middle East): Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. d. Explain the reason for the division between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Vocabulary of the Standard Diverse- many different kinds of Culture- the way of life for a group of people Ethnic Group- group of people with SIMILAR distinctive characteristics such as language, ancestry, culture, national origin, shared history, beliefs, traditions These similarities have existed for generations WE ARE BORN INTO OUR ETHNIC GROUP Religious Group- group of people who share the same belief in a god or gods WE ARE NOT BORN INTO OUR RELIGIOUS GROUP- WE CAN CHANGE RELIGIONS IF WE CHOOSE TO DO SO.

3 Major Ethnic Groups of the Middle East Arabs Persians Kurds (Iranians) Kurds

Can you describe the location of the Persians, Kurds, and Arabs?

Ethnic Groups of the Middle East Found mostly in Iran; also called Iranians Majority ethnic group in the Middle East in almost every country except: Israel, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan. Arabs Persians Kurds Found in mountains of S.E.Turkey, northern Iran, Northern Iraq, and northern Syria

What makes them a ‘group’? Arabs- share a history of descending from Abraham; speak Arabic Persians- share a history of descending from the Persian Empire; speak Farsi Kurds- share a history of being a people without a nation (Kurdistan); speak Kurdish

Ethnic VS. Religious Groups

The Religious Diversity within Ethnic Groups Arabs- the major ethnic group of the region 93% of all Arabs are Muslim BUT NOT ALL ARABS ARE MUSLIM! Most Arabs are Sunni Muslim 7% of Arabs are not Muslim

Persians Almost all Persians/Iranians are Muslim Also called Iranians- their Country borders the PERSIAN GULF! Almost all Persians/Iranians are Muslim Most Persian Muslims are Shi’a Muslim Minority are Sunni Muslim Only 4% of the Persian population are not Muslim

Kurds- live mostly in northern Iraq, Iran, Syria and SE Turkey MOST KURDS are Sunni Muslim small number of Shi’a Muslim BUT NOT ALL KURDS ARE MUSLIM!

Judaism’s Western Wall Islam’sDome of the Rock Christianity’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre Judaism’s Western Wall Jerusalem contains very important holy sites for all 3 religions

Religious Groups of the Middle East Monotheism- a belief in only ONE God began in SW Asia Christians, Jews, and Muslims are all monotheistic religious groups that began in the Middle East.

Compare And Contrast The Three Main Religions SS7G8.c Compare And Contrast The Three Main Religions

The Abraham Connection: Judaism, Christianity, & Islam God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, Abraham began Judaism, the world’s first MONOTHEISTIC RELIGION He was nearly 76 but he had no children with his wife Sarah So, he had a son with his 2nd wife, Hagar His name was Ishmael Sarah became jealous Sarah gave Abraham a son, named Isaac Sarah sent Hagar and Ishmael away Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was a descendant of Ishmael Jesus, the founder of Christianity, was a descendant of Isaac Judaism, Christianity, & Islam all began because of Abraham

Timeline of Events- Religion in Middle East Years before the ‘Common Era’ (BCE) Years before Christ (BC) Or During Anno Domini (AD) after the birth of Christ During the Common Era (CE) 1600 BC Abraham begins Judaism 33 AD/CE Jesus’ death; Christianity begins Muhammad begins spreading Islam 622 AD/CE

1st Monotheistic religion in the world Over 4000 years old About Judaism 1st Monotheistic religion in the world Over 4000 years old Started by Abraham and his descendants. Worshiped a God named Jehovah / Yahweh Symbol is the Star of David

Writings and literature Torah – Name of religious writing. It’s the first 5 books of the Bible. Synagogue/Temple – Place of worship Rabbi – Religious leaders Sabbath – Religious observance day- All day Saturday.

Believe in one God, creator of the universe Religious book is Torah What Jews Believe Believe in one God, creator of the universe Religious book is Torah 1st 5 books of the bible Moses primary author Includes 10 commandments

Hebrew / Jewish History 12 tribes make up Hebrew Lived in Canaan modern Israel Forced into slavery by Egyptians Moses led them out of slavery (called Exodus) Went back to Israel Called Jews after largest tribe Judah

Christianity Christianity followers of Jesus began in Judea / Israel Leader Jesus Born a Jew at about 4 B.C. Parents, Mary & Joseph, Lived in Nazareth. Christians call Mary the Virgin Mary. Christians believe Jesus is the “Son of God”

Many believe Jesus’ birth fulfilled a prophecy that a virgin would give birth to the Messiah Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, north of Judea, when he was in his early 30’s. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) contain stories about his birth in the city of Bethlehem.

Jesus attracted disciples / followers Life of Jesus Jesus attracted disciples / followers preached, performed miracles, & criticizing the Jewish authorities. Jesus preached about the coming of the Kingdom of God, meaning an eternally just and peaceful state of affairs. Kingdom of God = heaven Believed to be the “Son of God”

Jesus’ disciples spread his teachings throughout the Roman Empire Followers of Christ Jesus’ disciples spread his teachings throughout the Roman Empire organized churches. New religion open to all and not just Jews

Judaism & Christianity Judaism predates Christianity – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it Jesus and Apostles were Jewish Jews believe Jesus was a prophet but not Messiah Jews are not concerned about salvation and the “world to come”

Writings of Christianity Most early Christians accepted the books of the Jewish Bible as inspired by God and made them part of the Christian Bible. They also added their own writings to the canon— that is, the official list of books of the Bible.

Exit Questions 1. What do Christians believe Jesus is? 2. What religion was Jesus? 3. How old was Jesus when he started his ministry? 4. How did Jesus die? 4. What happened to Jesus after his death that made people believe he was the Messiah?

Exit Questions 1. What is monotheism? 2. Who is responsible for starting the Jewish religion? 3. What is the Torah? 4. When is the Sabbath? 5. What are the 10 commandments?

Origins of Islam

Story of Prophet Mohammed He was born to Arab parents from the tribe of Quraish, in Mecca. The Quraish worshiped 360 gods. They believed these gods will get them closer to the God of gods (Allah). His parents died very early. He never worshiped Idols, drank Alcohol or lied. He worked as a shepherd and then as a trader. Known to people in Mecca as “the Honest”.

Story of Prophet Mohammed Arab tribes had multiple wars with the prophet and Muslims. Finally, victory was for Islam and Mecca fell into the hands of the prophet. He forgave all his enemies and soon, his followers became in hundreds of thousands. He died at the age of 63.

Allah Monotheistic Allah is Arabic for God Used by Muslims Allah – the one God

Quran(Koran): The Holy Book Muslim Holy Book Original intact as given by the Prophet in Arabic 114 Chapters Teaches what a Muslim must do

5 Pillars of Islam Profession of Faith (Shahadah) Prayers (Salah) Charity (Zakat) Fasting ( Sawm) Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Profession of Faith (Shahadah) The Shahadah is the basic creed or tenet of Islam: "I testify that there is no god but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah". This is the most important pillar Ideally, it is the first words a newborn will hear, and children are taught as soon as they are able to understand it and it will be recited when they die. Muslims must repeat the shahadah in prayer

Prayers (Salah) Five Daily Prayers from Dawn to Late Evening regulate a Muslim’s day Face Kabah, prayers in Arabic as taught by the Prophet. Additional Prayers optional

Charity (Zakat) Required 2.5% charity on yearly savings A Muslim must be a charitable person Removing a stone from the road is charity Greeting with a smile is a charity

Fasting (Sawm) Ramadan is 9th month in Islamic Lunar calendar Daily dawn to sunset fast for 29/30 days (no food or drink) Done to show sacrifice Mohammad made when he received his revelations Eidul-Fitr Holiday at the end

Pilgrimage (Hajj) About 2-3 million Muslims perform Hajj each year from all over the world. Every Muslim at least once in their life must make a pilgrimage to Mecca

Exit Questions 1. Who is the founder of Islam? 2. Where was he born? 3. What did he do when he captured Mecca? 4. What is a Caliph? 5. What does Allah mean in Arabic?

He did not die but went up to heaven during the crucifixion Who do they say Jesus was? A true prophet (messenger of God) whose message has been corrupted A false prophet Son of God Savior (of mankind from their sins) God in human form How do they say Jesus died? He did not die but went up to heaven during the crucifixion Death by crucifixion Do they believe Jesus was resurrected (brought back to life) after his death? No Yes How does someone get to heaven? Correct belief Good deeds Five Pillars of Islam Belief in God Good Deeds Faith that Jesus was the son of God  

What are the followers of Islam called? SS7G8d: Explain the ORIGIN of the division between Sunni and Shia Muslims A quick review: What are the followers of Islam called? Most Muslims are from which branch of Islam? What places in the Middle East are mostly Shia? What places in the Middle East are mostly Sunni?

Background Information Before Islam began, most of Arabia was polytheistic. Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 CE. He became an orphan at age 6 when his mother died. He was raised by an uncle who was a shepherd. He traveled in caravans across Arabia as he grew up; he managed caravans (traders). When Muhammad was 25, he was employed by a wealthy widow, who became his wife.

Muhammad had no other wife (even though polygamy was common) until his wife died 24 years later. Muhammad often went to a cave to escape chaos and find peace. In 610 CE, Muhammad was 40 years old, he was visited by Angel Gabriel. His wife was his first ‘convert’ to Islam. After other visits from the Angel Gabriel, he began to teach others that there was only one true god, Allah. In his 1st 3 years, he only converted 40 people.

His teachings threatened the Meccan way of life; he and his followers were treated very badly. In another city, Muhammad was gaining more followers. Muhammad and his close friend, Abu Bakr planned an escape to the city of Yathrib. Medina needed a good leader so Muhammad went; in exchange for his leadership, all people accepted Muhammad’s belief in one god. Their escape is known as the Hijira. The escape happened in 622CE, the first year of the Muslim calendar. The city became known as Medina, ‘the city of the prophet’.

Muhammad and his followers went back and conquered Mecca in 630 CE. He dedicated the temple of Ka’aba. He succeeded in converting most of the Meccans to Islam. He returned to Medina. Muhammad died in 632 CE. By 634, Islam had spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Within 100 years of Muhammad’s death, Islam had spread to the Atlantic coast and the coast of China.

So what’s the problem with the Sunni and Shia? There are two main sects of Islam- Sunnis and Shia. Sunnis- have historical roots to Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s close friend) who was the leader after Muhammad. The “Four Rightly Guided Caliphs” lead the Muslim community after Muhammad’s death. “Sunni”- the name comes from Sunnah, ‘custom of the Prophet’; Sunnis believe Muslims should be lead by someone who follows Muhammad’s example of leadership, not necessarily a relative

Shia- have a historical connection to Ali, Muhammad’s relative. Shia believe the leader of Islam should be a relative of Muhammad. They believe that Muhammad designated Ali as his successor. When the last of the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs died the struggle between the two groups worsened. This battle between the Sunnis and the Shia about who should lead the Islamic faith has been going on centuries. The religious practices of the two groups is very similar.