3 Religions JudaismChristianityIslam

ItemJudaismChristianityIslam Belief in how many deities Name of Supreme Being Religious Founder Holy City Religious Leader Sacred Writing Name of Believers Symbol of Faith House of Worship Celebration of Special Events Beliefs Concerning the Good Life Beliefs Concerning Life After Death monotheism Jehovah (Yahweh) Moses Jerusalem Rabbi Old Testament Jews Star of David Synagogue Yom Kippur Passover Complete obedience to Mosaic Law Vague about afterlife Monotheism God Christ Jerusalem Priest/Minister Bible (Old and New Testament) Christians Cross Church or Cathedral EasterChristmas Love God and fellow man Belief in Kingdom of Heaven Monotheism Allah Mohammed Mecca None, Muezzin or Imam Koran (Qur'an) Muslims Crescent Mosque Ramadan Five Pillars of Faith Belief in Paradise

Judaism Oldest major religion and first monotheistic Oldest major religion and first monotheistic Judaism is the religion of only one people – the Jews Judaism is the religion of only one people – the Jews The Torah is the Old Testament. The Torah is the Old Testament. Synagogue is the house of worship and education Synagogue is the house of worship and education The Sabbath is on the seventh day of the week, Saturday The Sabbath is on the seventh day of the week, Saturday

Judaism Judaism SynagogueWestern Wall JerusalemMenorah

Christianity Christianity is based on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ Christianity is based on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ The largest religion in the world The largest religion in the world The Trinity, three distinct persons who make up one God The Trinity, three distinct persons who make up one God God the Father, who created the universe and everything in it.God the Father, who created the universe and everything in it. God the Son, who took human form as Jesus ChristGod the Son, who took human form as Jesus Christ Holy Spirit, also called the Holy Ghost.Holy Spirit, also called the Holy Ghost.

Christianity CathedralJerusalem Holy Trinity

Islam Founded in A.D. 600’s by Prophet Muhammad Founded in A.D. 600’s by Prophet Muhammad Muslim is a person who submits to Allah and follows the teachings of Islam Muslim is a person who submits to Allah and follows the teachings of Islam Five Pillars of Faith Five Pillars of Faith Shahadah, an act of bearing witness, belief that Allah is the only GodShahadah, an act of bearing witness, belief that Allah is the only God Prayer, pray five times a day, before dawn, at midday, in midafternoon, just after sunset, and at nightPrayer, pray five times a day, before dawn, at midday, in midafternoon, just after sunset, and at night Almsgiving, paid once a year as a tax to help the poor and improve the buildingsAlmsgiving, paid once a year as a tax to help the poor and improve the buildings Fasting, Every Muslim must fast in the month of Ramadan. Abstain from food, drink, and smokingFasting, Every Muslim must fast in the month of Ramadan. Abstain from food, drink, and smoking Pilgrimage, every Muslim must make a Hajj to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able to make the journey.Pilgrimage, every Muslim must make a Hajj to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able to make the journey.

Kaaba An empty cube- shaped building in the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca An empty cube- shaped building in the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca Muslims walk around the Kaaba seven times in a counter clock wise direction. Muslims walk around the Kaaba seven times in a counter clock wise direction.

Islam Blue Mosque Five Pillars of Islam Kaaba Qubba Al Sakhrah Turkey Jerusalem

Middle East Settlement Until the 1900's, most Middle Eastern people lived in villages or small towns and made a living by farming. Only a small number lived in cities. Until the 1900's, most Middle Eastern people lived in villages or small towns and made a living by farming. Only a small number lived in cities. Since World War II ( ), many people have moved to urban areas. Since World War II ( ), many people have moved to urban areas. Today, in most Middle Eastern countries, more than half the people live in cities. Middle Eastern people have strong ties to their families and to their religious and language groups. Today, in most Middle Eastern countries, more than half the people live in cities. Middle Eastern people have strong ties to their families and to their religious and language groups.

The Bedouin People Bedouins are Arab people who traditionally have been nomadic herders in the deserts of the Middle East. Bedouins are Arab people who traditionally have been nomadic herders in the deserts of the Middle East. The Bedouins who follow their traditional way of life travel the deserts seeking fresh water and pastureland for their camels, goats, and sheep. The Bedouins who follow their traditional way of life travel the deserts seeking fresh water and pastureland for their camels, goats, and sheep.

The Bedouins live in tents and wear clothing made from the skin and hair of their animals. The Bedouins eat mostly dairy products, dates, and rice. They trade meat and dairy products from their livestock to people in nearby villages for knives, pots, and other manufactured goods. The Bedouins live in tents and wear clothing made from the skin and hair of their animals. The Bedouins eat mostly dairy products, dates, and rice. They trade meat and dairy products from their livestock to people in nearby villages for knives, pots, and other manufactured goods.

Oil in the Middle East The Middle East has about two-thirds of the world's oil. The Middle East has about two-thirds of the world's oil. Its reserves total about 660 billion barrels. Its reserves total about 660 billion barrels. Saudi Arabia has about 260 billion barrels, or about a fourth of the world's reserves. Saudi Arabia has about 260 billion barrels, or about a fourth of the world's reserves. Most of Saudi Arabia's petroleum lies in areas along the Persian Gulf. Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates each have about 10 percent of the total world petroleum reserves. Most of Saudi Arabia's petroleum lies in areas along the Persian Gulf. Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates each have about 10 percent of the total world petroleum reserves.

Important Issues Oil wealth- How it is used! Oil wealth- How it is used! Power and Authority- democracy versus control by a few. Power and Authority- democracy versus control by a few. Role of Islam-m aintenance of Islamic traditions and laws. Role of Islam-m aintenance of Islamic traditions and laws. Status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Kurdish Conflict Kurdish Conflict Environmental Issues- water scarcity, overgrazing. Environmental Issues- water scarcity, overgrazing.

GovernmentsCountry Form of Government Issues of International Interest Afghanistan Theocracy Ethnic rivalries and competing political factions make the country unstable. The Taliban, came into power in the 1990’s raising concerns in the West as it oppresses certain segments in Afghanistan. In 2001 the Taliban came under attack for harboring terrorists. IranTheocracy Saudi Arabia IraqParliamentary Democracy Conservative Monarchy Unstable political order and animosity towards the West concerns many because of Iran’s crucial location in the Persian Gulf. Unstable government. Still has US troop in the country to keep control over the conflicting citizens. World’s largest oil exporter can affect world economies by reducing or increasing oil production. Role as caretaker of Mecca.