1. People of Southwest Asia September 3, 2014

2. Background There are a variety of peoples living in Southwest Asia. They come from different religions and ethnicities. Ethnic Group: a group of people who share cultural ideas and beliefs that have been a part of their community for generations. Religious Group: shares a belief system in a god or gods, with a specific set of rituals and literature

3. Ethnic Groups Characteristics that ethnic groups may have in common: –Language –Religion –Shared history –Types of foods –Traditional stories –Beliefs –celebrations

4. Religious Groups People from different ethnic groups may share the same religion However, they can be from very different cultures For example, people from all over the world practice Judaism, Christianity, or Islam, but they aren’t all necessarily from the same ethnic group

5. Arabs Ethnic group that believes themselves to be descended from Abraham They make up the majority of those who live in Southwest Asia Most Arabs practice the Islamic religion, but some are also Christians No matter which religion, however, most speak the Arabic language

6. Persians This ethnic group lives in Iran They are descended from a group of ancient people who moved into the region from Central Europe and Southern Russia Persians speak the Farsi language Most practice the Islamic religion, with most belonging to the Shia Muslim group

7. Kurds The Kurds live in several different SW Asian countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq They speak the Kurdish language Most practice the Islamic religion, belonging to the Sunni Muslim group Many Kurds hope to have their own nation some day, which has caused conflict with the countries in which Kurdish people live

8. Questions 1. What is the definition of ethnic group? 2. What is the definition of religious group? 3. What are 4 examples of characteristics that an ethnic group may have in common? 4. Which ethnic group believes that they are descended from Abraham? 5. Which two religions are most practiced by Arabs? 6. Where do Persians live? 7. What language is spoken by Persians? 8. Which Muslim group do most Persians belong to? 9. Which 4 countries do most Kurds live in? 10. Which Muslim group do most Kurds belong to?