Cultures in the
Middle East
Guiding Question
Why should we learn
about the Middle
East?
Activator
 As you watch Michael Jackson’s Black or White music
video list and identify as many ethnic groups as they
can.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2AitTPI5U0
GPS and E.Q.
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?
Vocabulary
 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)
Differences Between Ethnic
Groups and Religious
Religious Group
Groups
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
 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
Ethnic Groups in the Middle East
Ethnic Groups in the Middle East

Arabs are people who speak Arabic. ‫عربي‬
 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.
Ethnic Groups in the Middle East

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.
Ethnic Groups in the Middle East

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.
CRCT Test Prep page 88
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
CRCT Test Prep page 88
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
Diversity of
Religions
In Southwest Asia
Important Fact!
 Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all began in the
Middle East.
GPS and E.Q.
 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??
Religious Groups in the
Middle East
Islam
(Video United Streaming "The Faith" 4 min. in length)
 Began in Arabia in the early 7th 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
Arabs: Religions
 Most Arabs are Muslims.
 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.
Kurds: Religions
 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.
Persians: Religions
 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.
Conflicts
 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
Iranian/Persian
Shi’a
Kurd/Persian
Sunni
Remember:
Sunni and Shi’a
are both forms
of Islam!
Summary
 Make a Venn diagram: ethnic group vs. religious
group
Compare Religions of Arabs, Kurds, and
Persians (see “Conflicts” slide #20)
Ethnic
Group
Arabs
Kurds
Persians
Religion
Leader
Title
Beliefs
CRCT Test Prep page 89
255. Which ethnic group is most numerous in Southwest
Asia?
A. Jews
B. Kurds
C. Arabs
D. Persians
C. Arabs
CRCT Test Prep page 89
256. What modern country is the home to those who call
themselves Persian?
A. Iran
B. Iraq
C. Israel
D. Syria
A. Iran
CRCT Test Prep page 89
257. What is the religion of most Persians?
A. Judaism
B. Christianity
C. Shi’a Muslim
D. Sunni Muslim
C. Shi’a
CRCT Test Prep page 89
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
CRCT Test Prep page 89
259. What is the religion of most of the Kurds?
A. Catholicism
B. Christianity
C. Shi’a Muslim
D. Sunni Muslim
D. Sunni
Prominent Religions
In Southwest Asia
GPS and E.Q.
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?
Similarities
 All believe in one God (monotheistic)
 All trace ancestors back to Abraham
 All began in the Middle East
Judaism
(Abraham)
Connection between 3 Religions
Differences
 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
Differences
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
Differences
 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
CRCT Test Prep pages 90-93
 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)
Judaism
 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)
Judaism
 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
Judaism
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)
Christianity
 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
Christianity
 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 – 1st 4 books of New Testament
 Jewish and Roman leaders saw Jesus as threat; Jesus was
crucified
Christianity
 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
Islam
 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
Islam
 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” – 1st year of Islamic calendar.
Islam
 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).
Islam




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
Islam
 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
 Leaders are called “Caliphs”
East
CRCT Test Prep page 91
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…
CRCT Test Prep page 91
261. Which is the holy writing of Judaism?
A. Torah
B. Qur’an
C. Constitution
D. New Testament
A. Torah
CRCT Test Prep page 91
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…
CRCT Test Prep page 92
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…
CRCT Test Prep page 92
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…
CRCT Test Prep page 92
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.
CRCT Test Prep pages 93-94
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…
CRCT Test Prep pages 93-94
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.
CRCT Test Prep pages 93-94
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.
CRCT Test Prep pages 93-94
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.
CRCT Test Prep pages 93-94
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.
CRCT Test Prep pages 93-94
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.
Reason for the
Division
Between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims
GPS and E.Q.
 GPS: SS7G8d. Explain the reason for the division
between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims.
 E.Q.: How are Sunni and Shi’a Muslims different?
Why Islam has 2 Major Sects
 The principal issue centers on the question of leadership after
Muhammad ascended into heaven.
Islam
Sunni
Shi’a
Sunni Islam – Elected Leader
 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 2nd caliph was elected;
when he died, a 3rd 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.
Middle of Previous Venn Diagram
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.
Shi’a Islam
 The 4th 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.
CRCT Test Prep pages 94-95
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.
CRCT Test Prep pages 94-95
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.
CRCT Test Prep pages 94-95
Use graph on page 95.
274. What part of the population of Iran is Sunni?
A. 9%
B. 33%
C. 64%
D. 89%
A. 9%
CRCT Test Prep pages 94-95
Use graph on page 95.
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
CRCT Test Prep pages 94-95
Use graph on page 95.
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?
Project
 Choose a religious holiday from Judaism, Islam, or
Christianity and make a poster.
 Due date to be announced
VS. The Standard of
Living
Guiding Question
 Does knowing how to read well affect how long you
live?
GPS and E.Q.
 GPS: SS7G8e. Evaluate how the literacy rate affects
the standard of living.
 E.Q.: How does the literacy rate affect the standard of
living?
Activity
 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
DRC
Literacy VS. Standard of Living
STANDARD
OF LIVING
COUNTRY
Iraq
Iran
Turkey
Israel
Saudi
Arabia
Afghanistan
LIFE
EXPECTANCY
INFANT
MORTALITY
RATE
INCOME POVERTY
(GDP
RATE
per
capita)
LITERACY
RATE
Israel
‫ְמ ִדינַת י ְִש ָראֵ ל‬
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.)
Iran
‫جمهوری اسالمی ایران‬
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.)
Iraq
‫جمهوریة العراق‬
 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.)
Saudi Arabia
 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.)
Turkey
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.)
Afghanistan
‫افغانستان اسالمی جمهوری‬
 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.)
United States
 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.)
Summary – Write your answer in
complete sentences at the bottom of
your chart.
 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?