The “Middle East”

1. The “Middle East” Including countries from North Africa to Central Asia

2. What to call it? This is a cultural-political area • Almost all nations have Muslim majorities • Climate is desert to semi-arid • Arabic is either the first language or the religious-intellectual language. The “Arab World” is often used, but not all people are Arabic (Turks, Persians etc.) The “Islamic World” is perhaps better but rarely used.

3. Separation of Church and State Or the lack thereof Unlike the United States many countries have official religions This is especially true in this area. All are Muslim countries, Some the Sunni sect, some the Shia sect. Except Israel which is Jewish Members of Minority religions are often persecuted Sometimes officially Religious expression by the minority is restricted Heresies against the official religion are often illegal Conversion away from the official religion is in some places punishable by death.

4. Four Types of Governments 1) Theocracy (Iran) The Government is controlled by religious authorities they have strict laws enforcing religious and cultural traditions 2) Monarchies (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan etc.) In these countries the religious authorities have great influence though a monarch rules Usually they have strict religious and cultural laws. (Saudi-Arabia, Qatar) Some are more liberal constitutional monarchies (Jordan)

5. 3) Dictatorships (Syria, formerly Lybia, Tunis and Egypt) These are often secular but repressive regimes 4) Democracies (Turkey, Tunisia, etc.) Democracies in this area are often fragile, threatened by both potential dictators and theocratic political parties

6. Women’s Rights Most cultures limited women’s rights in the past. In the “Islamic world” these traditions are largely still in force. Women are restricted in dress, job opportunities and education In extreme cases they cannot drive, work outside the home, or interact with any men other than their families. Male family members often have complete authority over them

7. Honor Killings In some of these countries women who have had premarital sex have dishonored their family. As a result they may be disowned (thrown out the family) In some cases the family feels the only way to restore the family’s honor is for them to punish the woman themselves An so the women are killed by their own family Even in cases of Rape!