1. PEOPLE OF THE MIDDLE EAST

2. The SEMITES 4T4Together, the Arabs and Jews make up the Semitic population of the MidEast. 4A4Arabic and Hebrew are considered Semitic languages, hence the term. 4E4Earliest Semites were the Akkadians, Assyrians, Canaanites, Hebrews and the Phoenicians. –H–Hebrews only group to maintain separate identity anti-Semitism only pertains to the Jews –O–Other groups have been diffused w/ the Arabs

3. The ARABS 4 Single largest MidEast ethnicity 4 based upon language –written Arabic (classical) –spoken Arabic 4 majority are Muslims –Christian Arabs –Jewish Arabs 4 Live in entire Arabian Peninsula, plus Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt and most of North Africa

4. TURKS 4 From Turkey –originally from Central Asia –mixture of Central Asians and Europeans –speak Turkish –most populous MidEast country 4 Sunni Muslims 4 Democratic (Parliament) –one of two democracies in the MidEast –member of NATO –No oil –very Western 4 Ottoman Empire was the largest & longest lasting Muslim empire ever ATATURK

5. IRANIANS 4 From Iran –ancient Persia –speak Farsi (Persian) written w/ Arabic letters 4 largest MidEast country 4 Shi’ite Muslims –minority Muslims 4 Theocratic gov’t today –Iranian (Islamic) Revolution in 1979 US Hostage Crisis 4 Iran-Iraq War from 1980-1988 4 Oil rich

6. ISRAELIS 4E4Existed in Biblical times –I–Israel recreated in 1948 4J4Jewish –A–Ashkenazim: Jews from Europe –S–Sephardim: Jews from the Arab world & Africa –I–Israeli-Arabs 4S4Speak Hebrew 4D4Democratic –w–western culture –A–All must serve in the military

7. DRUZE 4 Druze is the ethnic group & the religion –secret religion only @ 20% of Druze know their religion must show interest to learn 4 Speak Arabic 4 Don’t have own country –live mainly in Israel, Syria and Lebanon –Only non-Jews allowed to join Israeli military known to be loyal to Israel fierce warriors

8. KURDS 4 Speak Kurdish 4 No Kurdistan –live in Turkey, Iran, Iraq & Syria 4 Desire own homeland –some are willing to use terrorism 4 Unable to unite amongst themselves 4 Sunni Muslims 4 Hated by Turks and Arabs –Arab proverb- There are 3 plagues on the earth: the rat, the locust & the Kurd

9. Answer the following questions: 4 What is the dominant ethnic group i/t ME? 4 What are the two Semitic ethnicities? 4 Name the two ethnicities that are Mtn ppl. 4 What ethnicity are Iranians? 4 What is the dominant religion i/t MidEast? 4 Name two countries that have democracies. 4 Name the two most common cultural characteristics found in the MidEast.