The Middle East

The Middle East: 6 major themes Proof of a European centered division of the East 10 countries We will further discuss all themes as we move throughout this unit.

Theme 1: Oil About 60% of the world’s oil Has helped develop countries like the UAE and Oman Upsets many traditionalists who want things to stay the same Some with fundamentalist views will turn to terrorism as a means of fighting change ex. Al Qaeda Gives dictators money for weapons and funds war Allows small countries to have oversized roles Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil producer in the Middle East and a key member of OPEC (influences oil prices and controlling supply.

Theme 2: Arid Most of the Middle East is arid Rub-Al-Khali in Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest continuous sand desert Many countries trade oil profits for increased water supply The Middle East has 10 of the 15 most water poor countries Cause for conflict 1% of ME water is fit for human consumption

Theme 3: Arab World Most of the Middle East is Arab Others are Persians, Turks, and Hebrews Architecture—Arabic style Conflict between ethnic groups

Theme 4: World Religions Birthplace of the 3 major monotheistic religions  Christianity  Judaism  Islam

Theme 5: Islam Most people in the Middle East are Muslim Many countries live by Sharia Law—law based on the Islamic religion and the teachings of the Koran  Saudi Arabia  Iran People of other religions are often mistreated.

Theme 5: Rise of Islam Around the years 570 to 632 A.D., the prophet Muhammad established Islam Muhammad was born in Mecca, on the western edge of the Arabian Peninsula There he received a message from Gabriel, an angel that told him to preach the message of Allah

Theme 5: Rise of Islam Muhammad established a Muslim community in Medina After his death, Islam spread to the rest of the Arabian Peninsula Armies then spread Islam as far west as Spain in less than a century Over time, Islam spread to Central Asia, India, and Southeast Asia

Theme 5: Key Terms Allah: the Arabic word for God Muslims: people who practice Islam Koran: Islam’s holy book (Quran) Mecca: direction in which all Muslims must pray Jihad: Islamic holy war Pillars: practices of Islam

Theme 5: Pillar 1 Faith: Declaration that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His prophet

Pillar 2 Prayer: Five times a day, facing Mecca

Pillar 3 Alms: Muslims have a social responsibility to give money to the poor

Pillar 4 Fasting: Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan from dawn to dusk. The idea is to show that spiritual needs are greater than physical needs

Pillar 5 Pilgrimage: Travel to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if physically and financially able.

Theme 5: Sunni vs Shiite Both are branches of the Islamic religion Divisions were created after the death of the Prophet Mohammad Sunni Muslims believed the position should be taken by one of the Prophets companions and it was! (majority) Shiite Muslims believed that only a direct descendent of Mohammad should take the position of Prophet. They refuse to acknowledge elected Muslim leaders. (minority)

Theme 6: Conflict History of conflict Israel/Palestine  Religion Resources Undeveloped countries are vulnerable to militias and dictators  Ex. Saddam Hussein, Taliban, ISIS