1. International Organizations

2. United nations Abbreviation: U.N. Formed in 1945 after WWII
Created to prevent future world wars and provide a platform for dialogue between nations
There are currently 193 members
Headquartered in New York City

3. Palestinian Liberation Organization
Abbreviation: P.L.O.
Formed in May 1964
Created by 422 Palestinians to oppose Israeli occupation of Palestine and create an independent nation for Palestinians
Led by Yasser Arafat, who in 1993, officially recognized the legitimacy of Israel
Arafat died in 2004 and was succeeded by Mahmoud Abbas as President of Palestine

4. hamas Arabic acronym that means “Islamic Resistance Movement.”
Formed in 1987 by Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood
Responsible for Israel-targeted attacks and shootings.
Successful in the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, taking 76 of the 132 seats in the chamber.
Considered a terrorist organization by Canada, the European Union, Israel, Japan, and the United States

5. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Abbreviation: O.P.E.C.
Formed in September 1960
Created to regulate the supply of oil that was being exported to countries around the world. Originally formed to ensure a fair price on their product
Currently made up of 12 countries: 6 in the Middle East, 4 in Africa, and 2 in South America
Headquartered in Vienna, Austria

6. World Trade organization
Abbreviation: W.T.O.
Formed in 1995
Created to liberalize trade, negotiate trade agreements, and settle trade disputes between its member nations
There are currently 160 members
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

7. North American Free Trade Agreement
Abbreviation: N.A.F.T.A.
Signed into U.S. law by Bill Clinton and took effect on January 1st, 1994.
Trilateral trade bloc created by the governments of Canada, the United States and Mexico
Purpose: To remove trade barriers and encourage investment between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico

8. Islam vocabulary
Nomad – A member of a group that has no fixed home and moves from place to place
Islam – A religion based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad
Hadith – Sayings and teachings of Muhammad
Caliph – The civil and religious ruler of a Muslim state
Hijra – Muhammad's emigration with his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622.
Pilgrimage – A journey to a sacred place or shrine
Qur’an – The sacred book of Islam
Muslim – A believer in Islam
Mosque – A place of Muslim worship

9. Islam vocabulary Muhammad – Founder of Islam, prophet of God
Allah – Arabic word for God
Sunni – One who follows the ways and customs of Muhammad, specifically those who accept that authority was passed down through consensus of the Muslim community
Shia – (Shia is the noun and Shiite is the adjective) one who believes authority was passed from the Prophet Muhammad to his lineal descendants
Sharia – Islamic law based on the teachings of the Koran and the traditions of the Prophet (Hadith and Sunna)