A Tour of the Middle East

1. A Tour of the Middle East An Original PowerPoint presentation by Jami Shimer

2. A Desert Land • Much of the Middle East is dry, hot desert • These harsh conditions dictate where people can and cannot live • Most people have settled in areas near water • River valleys • Oases • Mountain bases • Along the coast

3. Water in the Desert A wadi is a temporary water source at a mountain base. People in the desert have discovered how to drill a well into the base of a mountain to get water. This is where most trees and large bushes are found Most oases are natural springs that feed wells or even irrigation systems- oasis means “fertile place in the desert

4. Bedouin • Arab nomadic(person who travels from place to place in search of food and water) group of people • Travel with their animal herds • Camels • Sheep/goats • Cattle • 3 or 4 adults in a tent • Extended family units • Follow strict code of rules • Great shame if break rules • Stress values of loyalty, obedience, generosity, hospitality, honor, cunning, and revenge

6. Bedouin Hospitality • Hospitality (diyafa) • Highest Bedouin virtue • ANY stranger may approach a tent and receive 3 days lodging, food, and protection- after which he can leave in peace • Even an enemy! • Offer guests fantastic meals, even if it is the last food they have! • Bedouin honor is bound to how well they treat their guests

7. Bedouin Guests • When guests arrive, a special rug is spread for them to sit on • They are served first with sweet tea in a small glass • Main ritual- serving coffee • Coffee ground in front of guest • Using a mortar and pestle • Brass coffee pot filled with water, coffee, and spices • Brought to a boil 3 times • Served in tiny, egg shaped china cups • Coffee making = art • People proud of their skill at it

8. Bedouin Influence • Much of Middle Eastern society is modeled after Bedouin rules of behavior • This explains strict social behavior in Middle East • Privacy • Homes built to insure others do not see in • Do not enter others’ home without explicit (clearly stated) permission • Admiring objects and gift giving • If guests admire something, host feels obligated to give it to them • No matter how important it is to host • Gifts are not usually opened in front of giver

9. Bedouin Influence cont. • Social Duties • Society requires many social “niceties” • Social Calls • People visit your home • Illness • Return from trip • Marriage • Baby born • All reasons to bring gift and certain nice things are commonly said

10. Quiz • What is the difference between an oasis and a wadi? • Who is higher in Bedouin social order, a camel herder or a cattle herder? • What is the highest virtue, according to Bedouins? • Explain 2 aspects of Middle Eastern life that are influenced by Bedouin society.

11. Islam • Islam is an Arabic word that means “surrendering your will to Almighty God” • Believe that if you want peace in your life you have to give up your will to God • Teaches that all religions have same message • Give in to God • Worship Him only • Muslim • Arabic word that means “someone who has surrendered their will to God”

12. Muslims • Although most Arabs are Muslims, NOT ALL MUSLIMS ARE ARABS • Muslims come from all different races, ethnic groups and nationalities • Islam has a universal message for all people • Muslims believe • There is only one God, whose name in Arabic is Allah • Christians, Jews and Muslims worship the SAME God

13. Muslim Beliefs • Christians, Jews and Muslims believe that God (Allah) sent messengers to tell them how to behave and what to believe • Abraham, Moses and Isaiah are some of the Old Testament prophets • Muslims believe that Jesus was also a prophet • Muslims do not believe that Jesus is God’s son (Christians do) • Mohammed was the last prophet (according to Muslims) • The Qur’an • Holy book containing God’s message given to Mohammed by the Angel Gabriel • There is no picture of Mohammed • Muslims believe that the picture would make the messenger more important than the message

14. Wrap Up Quiz • What does Islam mean in Arabic? • What major thing do Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have in common? • What is the name of the holy book in Islam? • Who, according to Muslims, was the last Prophet sent by God?

15. Bellwork • True or False? Christians, Jews, and Muslims worship the same God. • Why are there no pictures of Mohammed? • Are most Arabs Muslims? • Are most Muslims Arabs? • Which (Muslim or Arab) could YOU choose to be? Why?

16. Great Split in Islam • Two different sects in Islam • Islam’s Schism (great split) • Began in 632 A.D., right after Prophet Mohammed died without naming a successor • Fighting began over who should take his place as Caliph (viceroy of God) • Some said it should stay in Mohammed's bloodline • his cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib should be Caliph • Most people said his friend Abu Bakr should be Caliph

17. Great Split cont. • Abu Bakr became Caliph • Mohammed’s son-in-law became the 4th Caliph • Murdered in 661 • Succession argued again • Led to great split in Islam

18. Sunnis vs Shi’ites • Majority of Muslims supported the son of the Governor of Syria • Those who supported Mohammed’s bloodline ruling supported the son of Ali, Hussein (Mohammed’s grandson) • Led to battle in 680 • Hussein is killed and decapitated (head cut off)

19. Sunnis vs Shi’ites • The governor of Syria (Mu’awiyah) becomes Caliph • Those loyal to him are called Sunnis • Means followers of the Way, or Prophet • Sunnis become most common, and most powerful people • Today 90% of Muslims are Sunni

20. Sunnis vs Shi’ites • Shi’ism still attracts followers • Continue to venerate (honor) Mohammed’s descendants • Usually the underclass in Islamic society • Important to remember- these people are still angry about Hussein’s murder in 680 A.D.

21. Shi’ite Countries • Form majority here: • Iraq, Iran, Bahrain, • Significant Minorities here: • Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Pakistan • Shi’ites control the oil in • Iran, Iraq, and eastern Saudi Arabia • Control oil, control money from oil • BUT Sunnis still control the government and military everywhere EXCEPT Iran

22. Sunnis • Keep control by not giving Shi’ites any military or government positions • Sunni= elite • Shi’ites = underclass • Manual labor jobs only

23. Sunni vs Shi’ites • Main Points • Both groups agree on major beliefs in Islam • Disagree on who should have power • Mohammed’s bloodline (Shi’ites) • People with power in government (Sunnis) • This has been an issue for hundreds of years • They have been killing each other for HUNDREDS OF YEARS

24. Sunni Control in Iraq • Suddam Hussein was a Sunni Muslim • Kept the Shi’ites “firmly under his thumb” • After the Gulf War he killed about 300,000 Shi’ites in Iraq • Was often said that he would kill a Shi’ite just for being a Shi’ite • Post Suddam • Shi’ites have gotten more power • Using this power to get revenge on Sunnis • Huge amount of killing and fighting between the two sects • Every Muslim country is worried about this

25. Bellwork • Who do the Shi’ites think should be the leader of Islam? Who do the Sunnis support? (not one specific person, in general.) • ___ % of the world is Sunni Muslims. • What two countries are currently controlled by Shi’ite Muslims? • (When this is complete- study for map game!)

26. Sunni/Shi’ite Control in Iraq • Shi’ites are now more powerful than Sunnis in Iraq • Iran (their neighbor) is leading Shi’ite power in world • Iran wants to help keep Shi’ites in power • The rest of the Middle East does NOT want Shi’ites to keep power, because then the Shi’ites in their countries might try to get power

27. Oil • Due to a dip in the crust of the earth, a large pool of oil has accumulated under the lands of North Africa and the Middle East • Especially around the Persian Gulf • Have 71% of world’s oil • By 2020 they will have 83% of world’s oil • Countries have joined together to form OPEC • Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

28. Purpose of OPEC Keep oil prices high Limit amount of oil each country pumps Punish other countries by refusing to sell them oil Done to U.S. in 1970’s because of our support of Israel Americans had to wait in long lines to buy gas Could only buy $5.00 worth of gas every other day OPEC

29. The Strait of Hormuz Narrow body of water that connects Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea 50% of world’s oil goes through here If we took over oil supply (as some people say we should) Terrorists would blow up pipelines or block the Strait NO OIL COULD GET OUT Terrorists Threaten Oil

30. Saudi Arabia • Capitol- Riyadh • Government- Monarchy • Language- Arabic • Religion-Islam

31. Saudi Arabia • Birthplace of Islam • Home to 2 holiest cities in Islam • Mecca • Birthplace of Mohammed, Prophet of Islam in 570 A.D. • People here accepted Islam in 630 A.D. • Every Muslim who is able to is expected to make the pilgrimage (journey to holy place or shrine) to Mecca at least once in their lifetime • Called a hajj

32. The Grand Mosque in Mecca The Square in the Middle is the Ka’aba

33. Saudi Arabia cont. • Medina (2nd Holy City of Islam) • Mohammed’s base of power • Continues to be center of arts and learning • Has become center for codifying (writing down and determining) Islamic law • Historically, no non-Muslims may live within the city walls of Mecca • Although, some have been admitted for various reasons

34. Osama Bin Laden • Wants to return to days when people were ruled by Islamic religion • Hates modern world- especially the U.S. • Believes that we turn people away from worshipping God • Helps create terrorist attacks against the U.S. in order to keep us out of the Islamic regions of the world • Founded al Queda • Terrorist network • Against non-Muslim world

35. Osama Bin Laden • Bin Laden’s original problem with the United States began because of our occupation of Saudi Arabia following the Gulf War • He wanted us to get out of the country • He did not like U.S. forces (non-Muslims) so close to their holiest places

36. Social Issues In M.E. • Women/children • Clothing • Dress conservatively • Very conservative woman might wear an “abayah” • Long black garment that covers body from shoulders to feet • Others might wear a “hejab” • Head scarf that covers hair but not face • Fingernails • Cannot wear finger nail polish • Stoning • The punishment for adultery in some countries is stoning • A woman is buried in sand up to her neck, and then rocks are thrown at her head until she dies • Driving • Many Middle Eastern women are not allowed to drive

37. Southwestern Iran is home to the Kuzestan plain Near Persian Gulf Full of petroleum deposits (oil) Iran

38. Iran • Religion • Shi’ism • Iran is a constitutional theocracy • Principles of one religion become the laws of the country • Shi’ism adds two pillars to the other five pillars of faith in Islam • 1-Jihad- crusade to protect Islamic beliefs • 2-Requirement to do good works and avoid ALL evil • What effect do these beliefs have on the way the government works? • There are other religions present in the minority (and protected by the current constitution) • Kurds= Sunni Islam • Christians • Jews