The
Middle East is the
birthplace of three major
monotheistic world religions.
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Judaism is the oldest surviving monotheistic
religion, arising in the eastern Mediterranean
about 4,000 years ago. Abraham is traditionally
considered to be the first Jew and to have
made a covenant with G-d in Canaan (known as
Palestine and Israel).
 Jews believe in one god and his prophets, with
special respect for Moses as the prophet to
whom G-d gave the law. Jewish law is embodied
in the Torah.
 Some traditional holidays are Rosh Hashanah,
Yom Kippur, Hanukah and Passover.

 Christianity
developed out of the
monotheistic tradition of Judaism;
Jesus, its founder. It began in the city
of Judea.
 The followers of Jesus wrote about his
life and teachings, which is in the New
Testament of the Bible, called the
Gospels.
 Some Christians celebrate Christmas,
Easter, Epiphany, and Lent.
 Most
people in the Middle East are
Muslims.
 Many governments in the Middle East
follow Islamic principles.
 Muhammad founded the religion in
Mecca, Arabia in 622 A.D. The
teachings of Muhammad are written in
the Koran/Quran.
 Muslims observe traditions such as
Ramadan, Mawlid Al Rasul, and Isra’
Mi’raj.