These are holy places of different religious groups in Eastern
Mediterranean and they are all in one city. Which city?
Jerusalem
Focus and Objective

Discuss
Do you know of a
conflict between
different religious
groups in the United
States?
Do we have a lot of
religious conflicts in
the United States, why
or why not?

At the end of class
today you will
understand and identify
the three main religions
found in the Middle
East and where the
source of political
tension in this region
comes from and why
its there!
Key Terms
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Dome of the Rock/ Temple Mount
Western Wall
Synagogues
Mosque
Church
Islam
Christianity
Judaism
Conflict
Jerusalem plays an important role in Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam. The 2000 Statistical
Yearbook of Jerusalem lists 1204 synagogues,
158 churches, and 73 mosques within the city.
Despite efforts to maintain peaceful religious
coexistence, some sites, such as the Temple
Mount, have been a continuous source of
friction and controversy.
Dome of the Rock (What do you think is inside?)
Dome of the Rock
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(Q: does this structure
remind you of anything
we’ve seen before?)
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A: Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi
Arabia
Jerusalem,
Israel
Islamic Importance
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According to Islamic tradition, the rock is the
spot from where Muhammad ascended to
Heaven accompanied by the angel Gabriel.
Judaism Importance and the Western
Wall
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Sometimes referred to as
the Wailing Wall. Wailing
Wall Is an important
Jewish religious site
located in the Old City of
Jerusalem.
According to majority
rabbinic opinion, Jews may
not set foot upon the
Temple Mount and doing
so is a sin punishable by
Jewish Law.
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In Judaism, the Western Wall is
venerated as the sole remnant of
the Holy Temple. It has become
a place of pilgrimage for Jews,
as it is the closest permitted
accessible site to the holiest spot
in Judaism
Where is the Dome of the Rock
compared to the Western Wall?
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Right below it!
Christianity
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What is special about this city according to Christians?
Jesus was tried and convicted of blasphemy. Hung on a cross, buried in a
cave/grave, and on the third day a rose from the dead.
Jesus revisited his followers.
Three Key concepts of Christianity
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Jesus is the son of God
Jesus Died on the cross for my sins
Jesus rose from the dead and
Because I believe in him I too will be raised
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Church
Bible
Jesus
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Salvation
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Class Discussion Question

Imagine living in a house with family
members where everybody has different
beliefs?
Tower of David
Class Discussion Question
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What religions find Jerusalem sacred?
Jerusalem is holy to Judaism, Christianity and
Islam….but why?
Why is this city a source of political tension in the
Southwest Asia and Central Asia region and why its
there? (write the question and answer down)
Tower of David
Test Questions
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a.
b.
c.
d.
Which three monotheistic religions are in
Southwest Asia?
Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam
Judaism, Christianity, and Hinduism
Islam, Judaism, and Christianity
Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity
Test Questions
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a.
b.
c.
d.
What two sites in Jerusalem have prompted
clashes between Jews and Muslims?
The Western Wall and the Kaaba
The Mediterranean Sea and the Oil exports
The Western Wall and the Golan Heights
The Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock
Test Questions
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a.
b.
c.
d.
Why is Jerusalem important to all three religious
groups in Southwest Asia?
Because it is a vital part of each of their religious
histories and belief systems
Because each religion is polytheistic and the all
worship many gods.
Because it is a vital place for oil and trading
Because it is were Jewish, Christian, and Islamic
people created the PLO.
Other Factors
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Different Islamic Interests
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Shi’a (Hezbollah, Iran)
Sunni (Al Qaida, Saudi, Egypt)
Ethnic Conflict Too
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Palestinians: Arab ethnicity
Iranians: Persian Ancestry
Other Factors
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Energy Considerations
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Oil in SWA controlled by Arabs
Region is growing transit area for energy
Ideological/Historical Precedent
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Western support for Israel after WWII
US aid to Egypt under Camp David Accords
Soviet support for Arab states
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Natural counter to US/Western influence
Tempered by invasion of Afghanistan