• Why should we learn about the Middle
East?

GPS SS7G8: The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in
Southwest Asia (Middle East). a. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.
E.Q.: How does an ethnic group differ from a religious group?

• Ethnic group : people united by common culture
• Religious group : people united by common religious beliefs
• Caliph : leader in the Sunni Islam religion
• Imam : Leader in the Shi’a Islam religion
• Monotheism : belief in one god
• Literacy rate : number of people age 15 and up who can read and write
• Standard of Living : how comfortably you live
(based on life expectancy, infant mortality
(death) rate, income, and poverty rate)

Ethnic Group
• Group of people with shared cultural beliefs
(language, religion, shared history, types of foods, traditional stories and celebrations)
• Examples: Arabs, Kurds,
Persians, Cherokee
Religious Group
• Group of people who shares a belief system in a god or gods, with a specific set of rituals and holy book (religion).
• Can be from different ethnic groups.
• Examples: Christians,
Jews, Muslims

• Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all began in the Middle East.

• Arabs are people who speak Arabic. يبرع
• They believe themselves to be descendants of Abraham in the Bible through his son,
Ishmael.
• They are the most numerous group in SW
Asia.
• Most are Sunni Muslim, some are Shi’a, and a few are Christians or other religions.

• Kurds are people who speak Kurdish.
• They live or are from mountainous areas in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran.
• They hope to have their own country one day.
• Iraqis and Persians have conflicts with them.
• They may be any religion, though most are
Sunni Muslim.

• Persians are people who speak Persian
(Farsi).
• They live or are from Iran (used to be called Persia).
• Their ancestors come from Central Europe and Southern Russia.
• They may be any religion, but most are
Shi’a Muslim.

253. Which do Kurds share as part of their ethnic group?
A. the Kurdish language
B. they live in the same country
C. self-rule in the land of Kurdistan
D. the ability to move freely to other countries
A. The Kurdish language

254. Which are the 3 main religious groups of Southwest Asia?
A. Hinduism, Islam, Judaism
B. Christianity, Islam, Judaism
C. Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam
D. Christianity, Islam, Shamanism
B. Christianity, Islam, Judaism

In Southwest Asia

• GPS: SS7G8b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and
Kurds.
• E.Q.: Why do Arabs, Persians, and Kurds fight each other if they’re all from the
Middle East??

(Video United Streaming "The Faith" 4 min. in length)
• Began in Arabia in the early 7 th century
(600s)
• Holy book: the Qur’an
• monotheistic (one God) faith revealed to the prophets Abraham, Moses, and Jesus and finally, to Muhammad.
• Muslims are believers in Islam

• Most Arabs are Muslim s.
• Sunni Islam dominates in most areas.
• Shi’a Islam is prevalent in southern Iraq and adjacent parts of Saudi Arabia , and parts as parts of Syria .

• The Kurds are a non-Arabic people who speak a language related to Persian.
• Most follow the Sunni Muslim faith.
• They live in Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and
Turkey.

• Most Persians in Iran are Shi’a Muslims.
• There is also a sizeable number of Sunni
Muslims.
• There are also smaller communities of
Zoroastrians, Christians, Jews, and
Bahá'ís.

• The most powerful Iraqis (Arabs) are
Sunni.
• Most Iranians (Persians) are Shi’ites
(Shi ’a).
• Most Kurds are Sunni, but are more closely related to Iranians (Persians)
Iraqi/Arab
Sunni
Kurd/Persian
Sunni
Iranian/Persian
Shi’a
Remember:
Sunni and Shi’a are both forms of Islam!

• Make a Venn diagram: ethnic group vs. religious group

Ethnic
Group
Religion Leader Title Beliefs
Arabs
Kurds
Persians

255. Which ethnic group is most numerous in Southwest Asia?
A. Jews
B. Kurds
C. Arabs
D. Persians
C. Arabs

256. What modern country is the home to those who call themselves Persian?
A. Iran
B. Iraq
C. Israel
D. Syria
A. Iran

257. What is the religion of most Persians?
A. Judaism
B. Christianity
C. Shi’a Muslim
D. Sunni Muslim
C. Shi’a

258. What is the religion of most of the
Arabs in Southwest Asia?
A. Judaism
B. Christianity
C. Shi ’a Muslim
D. Sunni Muslim
D. Sunni

259. What is the religion of most of the
Kurds?
A. Catholicism
B. Christianity
C. Shi’a Muslim
D. Sunni Muslim
D. Sunni

In Southwest Asia

GPS: SS7G8c. Compare and contrast the prominent religions of Southwest Asia
(Middle East): Judaism, Islam, Christianity.
E.Q. How do the prominent religions of the
Middle East compare? How are they different?

• All believe in one God ( monotheistic )
• All trace ancestors back to Abraham
• All began in the Middle East

Judaism
(Abraham)

• Judaism
– Founder: Abraham (about 2000 BC)
– Holy Book: Torah
– Followers: Jews
– # of Followers: about 15 million
– Oldest of the 3 religions
– Beliefs: laws of God and words of His prophets
– 3 types:
• Orthodox
• Conservative
• Reform

• Christianity
– Founder: Jesus (about 30 AD)
– Holy Book: Bible
– Followers: Christians
– # of Followers: about 2.1 billion
– Largest of 3 religions
– Beliefs: teachings of Jesus
– 3 types:
• Eastern Orthodox
• Roman Catholic
• Protestant

• Islam
– Founder: Muhammad (about 610 AD)
– Holy Book: Koran or Qur’an
– Followers: Muslims
– # of Followers: about 1.3 billion; fastest growing of the 3 religions
– Beliefs: teachings of Muhammad, the last Prophet
– 3 types:
• Sunni
• Shi’a
• Sufi

• Read the passages on Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam:
• Read the first paragraph.
– Share with a partner 1 thing you knew, 1 thing you found out, or 1 thing you want to know more about.
• Continue with the other passages until you have both read them all.
– Stop after each paragraph to share with each other.
(See the following slides for important points to remember)

• Monotheistic – belief in 1
God (Yahweh)
• Began with Abraham
– born in Ur about 2000 BC
– God promised that Abraham would begin a new nation if he and his descendents would worship God
– Settled in Canaan – had 2 sons: Isaac and
Ishmael; Hebrews/Jews are descendents of
Isaac (his 12 grandsons began 12 Tribes of
Israel)

• 1300-1200 BC – Hebrews were forced into slavery in Egypt.
• Moses led Hebrews out of slavery (Exodus
– celebrated each year at Passover)
• God gave Ten Commandments to Moses
• Hebrews returned to Canaan and settled
• Around 1000 BC Hebrews united under
King Saul, then David, then Solomon

Western
Wall
• Kingdom was divided into North and South
• Conquered by Babylon till 167 BC
• Conquered by Rome
• Temple in Jerusalem destroyed in 70 AD (except for one part of Western Wall – still standing today)
• Jews scattered – “Diaspora” – to other countries
• Tanakh – Holy Book
(contains Torah – first
5 books of Old Testament)

• Monotheistic – belief in 1 God
• Grew out of Judaism during Roman rule in
Palestine (Canaan).
• Began with Jesus – born in Bethlehem about 4
BC
• Became preacher/teacher at age 30

• Jesus followed Jewish law/belief but spoke of more personal relationship with God
– Focus on love of God and kindness toward others
– Followers called disciples
• Their writings form Gospels – 1 st 4 books of New
Testament
– Jewish and Roman leaders saw Jesus as threat; Jesus was crucified

• After death, followers believed Jesus rose from the dead; called him “Messiah” or “Christos” –
Savior and “Son of God”
• Jesus’ teachings became basis for new religion
– Christianity – Old Testament teachings + loving, forgiving God
• Christians refused to worship Roman gods – many were put to death
• 313 AD - Christianity approved by Roman emperor Constantine

• Monotheistic – belief in 1 God (Allah)
• Began in Mecca in 600s AD – trading center
• Ka’aba (rectangular building) in center of town – Meccans believed it was originally built by Abraham and Ishmael to honor
God – over time many idols were placed in
Ka’aba

• Began with Muhammad – born in Mecca in
570 AD. At age 40 heard voice of angel
Gabriel – told him to tell people the word of God
• Followers were called “Muslims” – “ones who submit ” to God’s will
• Escaped to Medina in 622 AD – move was called “Hegira” – 1 st year of Islamic calendar.

• Returned to Mecca in 630 AD with army –
Mecca surrendered.
• Removed idols from Ka’aba and dedicated it to Allah.
• After Muhammad’s death, followers collected angel Gabriel’s teachings into holy book: Qur’an (Koran).

• 1 God
• Muhammad was final prophet
• Qur’an includes much of Old and New
Testaments.
• 5 Pillars:
1. Shahada – There is no God but Allah and
Muhammad is His Prophet
2. Salat – pray 5 times a day toward Mecca
3. Zakat – charity toward poor
4. Sawm – fast during Ramadan
5. Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca

• Legal code based on Qur’an called shariah law
• Because so much of Old and New
Testaments are part of Qur’an, most
Muslims view Jews and Christians as
“People of the Book” – recorded special respect
• Islam spread through Middle
East
• Leaders are called “Caliphs”

260. What is the main belief that distinguished the
Jewish faith from the others in the ancient world?
A. the belief in life after death
B. the organization of believers into a separate state
C. the worship of a single god rather than many gods
D. the offering of sacrifices during religious ceremonies
C. The worship of a single god …

261. Which is the holy writing of Judaism?
A. Torah
B. Qur’an
C. Constitution
D. New Testament
A. Torah

262. The “Exodus” in the history of the Jewish people was the time when
A. Jews were in captivity in Babylon.
B. the Romans forced the Jews out of Jerusalem
C. Abraham left Mesopotamia and moved to
Canaan.
D. Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt and returned to the land of Canaan.
D. Jews were freed from slavery…

263. Why did Jesus have trouble with both the Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities?
A. Jesus urged people to tear down the Temple in
Jerusalem.
B. the new religion of Christianity was open to only a few people.
C. He encouraged the people to form an army and revolt against the government.
D. Jews accused him of crimes against their teachings;
Romans saw him as a threat to the Roman Empire..
D. Jews accused him of crimes…

264. What basic belief made Christianity different from Judaism?
A. Christians believed Jesus was the Messiah, or savior of men.
B. Only Judaism accepted and believed in the
10 Commandments.
C. Jews never had problems with the Roman authorities, while the Christians did.
D. Christians allowed the worship of many of the
Roman gods, while Judaism did not.
A. Christians believed Jesus was the Messiah …

265. Why was Christianity finally accepted by the
Roman Emperor as a legal religion?
A. Christian armies defeated the emperor in battle.
B. There were few other religions left in the
Roman Empire by 313 AD.
C. Emperor Constantine recognized that many
Romans had become Christians.
D. Christians made the worship of Roman gods and goddesses part of their religion as well.
C. Emperor Constantine recognized that many
Romans had become Christians.

266. What is the relationship among Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam?
A. The 3 religions all believe in different gods.
B. All 3 religions accept Jesus as the “Son of
God”.
C. Unlike Judaism and Christianity, Islam won new converts only by war and force.
D. Islam includes much of the old and new testaments in its holy book, the Qur’an.
D. Islam includes much of the old and new testaments…

267. What did Muhammad believe the angel
Gabriel was asking him to do?
A. Tell the word of God to the people.
B. Bring an end to all religions other than Islam.
C. Develop Mecca into a more powerful trading center.
D. Tear down the Ka’aba because idols had been stored there.
A. Tell the word of God to the people.

268. What is the importance of the Ka ’aba to
Muslims?
A. The Ka ’aba was the original home of
Muhammad.
B. They believe it was originally built by the prophet Abraham.
C. This building is where most important business deals were made in Mecca.
D. They believe it is the place where Gabriel gave Muhammad the word of God.
B. They believe it was originally built by the prophet Abraham.

269. Why did Islam spread so quickly after
Muhammad’s death?
A. Muslim armies conquered empires that had weakened over the years.
B. Muslims refused to trade with anyone who would not convert to Islam.
C. There were no religions in that part of the world to compete with Islam.
D. Jews and Christians were forced to convert to
Islam or face prison or death.
A. Muslim armies conquered empires that had weakened over the years.

270. What are the Five Pillars?
A. The first five books of the Qur’an.
B. The five columns that support the roof of the
Ka’aba.
C. Five beliefs shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
D. Five basic obligations that Muslims are supposed to meet in their lives..
A. Five basic obligations that Muslims were supposed to meet in their lives.

271. Why do Muslims call Jews and Christians
“People of the Book”?
A. People belonging to these religions could read.
B. Followers of all three religions were taken in census records.
C. Much of the Old and New Testaments in included in the Qur’an.
D. Jews and Christians were the first groups in
Southwest Asia who had a written language.
C. Much of the Old and New Testaments in included in the Qur’an.

Between Shi ’a and Sunni Muslims

• GPS: SS7G8d. Explain the reason for the division between Sunni and Shi'a
Muslims.
• E.Q.: How are Sunni and Shi’a Muslims different?

• The principal issue centers on the question of leadership after Muhammad ascended into heaven.

• The Prophet Muhammad died without choosing a successor to lead the Muslim community.
• The “Four Rightly Guided Caliphs” led Islam, one after the other. They were friends with Muhammad.
• The first caliph to be elected was Abu Bakr ,
Muhammad’s close friend, advisor, and father-inlaw. When he died, a 2 nd caliph was elected; when he died, a 3 rd caliph was elected.
• Sunnis elect a qualified person to be their caliph (leader).

Shi’ites
*Rulers must be
Muhammad’s descendants.
*10% of Muslims are Shi’ites.
*There are different Shi’a sects.
*They believe the soul can migrate from 1 body to another.
*The number 7 is sacred.
*Some Shi’ites recognize
12 imams
(successors); some recognize 7.
*Some believe in a hidden imam.
Some believe in a hidden imam related to Muhammad who didn’t die and will reappear.
5 Pillars of
Islam
Sunnis
*90% of Muslims are Sunni.
*They believe the community can elect the next leader.
*The leader can be any devout Muslim with proper qualifications.
*They say there is not a current successor.
*They accept the first
3 caliphs as
Muhammad’s true
Successors.

All Muslims should believe in the following things:
1. Allah is the creator of all things. Allah is all-powerful and knowledgeable
2. His angels record the good and bad deeds of every Muslim.
3. The prophet Mohammed is the messenger of God.
4. The Qur'an (the holy word of God revealed through Mohammed) and the Old and New Testaments.
5. The Day of Judgment. This is when it is decided if you will go to Heaven or
Hell.
6. Predestination (the fate and future of each person that is decided by the Will of Allah)
All Muslims should practice the five Pillars of Islam. (religious duties)
1. Witness - stating your belief in God.
2. Worship/Prayer - Praying to God five times a day facing Mecca.
3. Charity - giving 2.5% of your wealth to the poor each year.
4. Fasting - not eating, drinking, or smoking from dawn until dusk for the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. (Ramadan)
5. Pilgrimage - Every person should visit the temple in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) at least once in their lifetime.

• The 4 th caliph to be elected was
Muhammad ’s cousin (blood relative), Ali ibn Abi Talib, .
• Shi'a believe Ali was the first true caliph after Muhammad, because he was related to him.
• The Shi ’a believe that Imams (leaders) should come from Muhammad ’s family.

272. What issue led to the split between the Sunni and
Shi’a in Islam?
A. The Shi’a believed only Arabs could be Muslims.
B. Arguments began over what should be included in the five Pillars.
C. The Shi’a wanted to change the direction of prayer to Jerusalem rather than Mecca.
D. They disagreed over who should lead the Muslim community after the death of Muhammad.
D. They disagreed over who should lead the Muslim community after the death of Muhammad.

273. Why were the four leaders of the Muslims after
Muhammad’s death called the “Four Rightly Guided
Caliphs??
A. They had been friends of Muhammad..
B. They had studied leadership for many years and were well prepared to rule.
C. They arranged for a split in the community between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims.
D. These men all ruled together so there could be no question about their decisions.
A. They had been friends of Muhammad.

274. What part of the population of Iran is Sunni?
A. 9%
B. 33%
C. 64%
D. 89%
A. 9%

275. Which would be the BEST alternative for showing these data in another way?
A. Use one circle graph.
B. Use 2 line graphs.
C. Use 2 circle graphs
D. Use a line graph with 2 lines of different colors
B. Use 2 circle graphs

276. Which question could be answered using information from the graph?
A. Which country has the most Shi’a Muslims?
B. What part of the population of Iran is Hindu?
C. What part of the population of Iraq is Christian?
D. Which country has the highest proportion of its population as Shi’a Muslim?
D. Which country has the highest proportion of its population as Shi’a Muslim?

• Choose a religious holiday from Judaism,
Islam, or Christianity and make a poster.
• Due date to be announced

• Does knowing how to read well affect how long you live?

• GPS: SS7G8e. Evaluate how the literacy rate affects the standard of living.
• E.Q.: How does the literacy rate affect the standard of living?

• G8e Compare literacy rates and standard of living in Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia,
Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan using a graphic organizer (DRC).
– Standard of living = life expectancy, infant mortality (death) rate, income, poverty rate
– Literacy rate = % of people age 15 and up who can read and write

Use facts on following slides to complete chart
STANDARD
OF LIVING
LIFE
EXPECTANCY
INFANT
MORTALITY
RATE
INCOME
(GDP per capita)
POVERTY
RATE
LITERACY
RATE
COUNTRY
Iraq
Iran
Turkey
Israel
Saudi
Arabia
Afghanistan

ל ֵא ָר ְשִי תַני ִד ְמ
• Infant mortality rate: total: 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births
• Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.73 years
• Average Income: $28,300 (2008 est.)
• Population below poverty line: 21.6%
– note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day
(2005)
• Literacy: total population: 97.1%
– male: 98.5%
– female: 95.9% (2004 est.)

ناریا یملاسا یروهمج
• Infant mortality rate: total: 35.78 deaths/1,000 live births
• Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.14 years
• Average Income: $12,800 (2008 est.)
• Population below poverty line: 18% (2007 est.)
• Literacy: total population: 77%
– male: 83.5%
– female: 70.4% (2002 est.)

قارعلا ةیروهمج
• Infant mortality rate: total: 43.82 deaths/1,000 live births
• Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.94 years
• Average Income: $3,700 (2008 est.)
• Population below poverty line: 20-25%
• Literacy: total population: 74.1%
– male: 84.1%
– female: 64.2% (2000 est.)

• Infant mortality rate: total: 11.57 deaths/1,000 live births
• Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.3 years
• Average Income: $20,500 (2008 est.)
• Population below poverty line:1.6% to 30%
($320/mo or less)
• Literacy: total population: 78.8%
– male: 84.7%
– female: 70.8% (2003 est.)

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti
• Infant mortality rate: total: 25.78 deaths/1,000 live births
• Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.96 years
• Average Income: $11,900 (2008 est.)
• Population below poverty line: 20% (2002)
• Literacy: total population: 87.4%
– male: 95.3%
– female: 79.6% (2004 est.)

یروهمج یملاسا ناتسناغفا
• Infant mortality rate: total: 151.95 deaths/1,000 live births
• Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.64 years
• GDP - per capita (PPP): $700 (2008 est.)
• Population below poverty line: 53% (2003)
• Literacy: total population: 28.1%
– male: 43.1%
– female: 12.6% (2000 est.)

• Infant mortality rate: total: 6.22 deaths/1,000 live births
• Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.11 years
• Income: $46,000 (2009 est.)
• Population below poverty line: 12%
• Literacy: total population: 99%
– male: 99%
– female: 99% (2006 est.)

• Which country had the highest literacy rate?
Which country had the highest standard of living? How do these compare? Does literacy affect the standard of living?