6.7 Iran READ: Fertile Crescent PreAP: Rick Steve’s Iran CORE: Iran vs. Saudi Arabia VENN DIAGRAM: Arab & Persian Cultures

The FERTILE CRESCENT has many similarities to the NILE PHYSICAL FEATURES – FRESH WATER – GOOD SOIL – Surrounded by Mountains & Desert EARLY CIVILIZATION – Agriculture (specialization of labor) – Writing – Government

Southwest Asia – Saudi Arabia and Iran How are they similar and different from each other? Adapted from Dawn Tatum 1/16

Saudi Arabia and Iran - Religion Although both countries are Islamic the majority of the populations in these countries practice Islam differently. SAUDI ARABIA – 90% Sunni IRAN – 90 % Shia

Saudi Arabia and Iran - Religion Today the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims all agree that Allah is the only God and Muhammad his messenger. Both Sunnis and Shia follow Five Pillars of Islam. But while Sunnis rely heavily on the practice of the Prophet and his teachings (the “sunna”), the Shia see their ayatollahs (religious leaders) as reflections of God on earth. Both flags of Saudi Arabia and Iran have religious statements, Saudi Arabia “There is no god but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God” Iran “God is great”

Political Leaders & Government Systems Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of IRAN Theocratic Republic (ruled by a religious leader) King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of SAUDI ARABIA Absolute Monarchy (ruled by a King) President Hassan Rouhani of IRAN

Saudi Arabia and Iran - Governments Governments in both Saudi Arabia and Iran tightly control exposure of “Western” ideas & culture (from US & EU) Influences they want to avoid include – Western style gender norms (clothing, dating, homosexuality) – Western style governments (threat to Monarchy & Theocracy) – Religions other than Islam Both governments censor TV, radio, print publications and internet. offers-inside-look-modern-life-iran/

FRENEMY Even with similarities, Saudi Arabia and Iran have political difficulties based on their different approaches to Islam as well as their different governments/leadership styles. Their governments are rivals who both seek greater wealth (from oil) as well as control and influence over regional neighbors.

Religious Law vs. Secular Law Sharia Law = Secular Law = Laws based on Koran & Sunna Laws that are not based on any religion

Religious laws found in Southwest Asia (ex. Saudi Arabia) are different from Secular law found in Western countries (ex. United States).

Saudi Arabia and Iran – Religion/Government Both Saudi Arabia and Iran have government laws based on the religious text of the Quran. – Religious law based on the teachings of the Quran is known as Sharia law. However, each countries government interprets the Quran differently and thus enforces Sharia law differently.

Saudi Arabia and Iran – Role of Women Must wear headscarf (hijab) plus modest clothing (abaya –or- chador) Great importance placed on family life - devotion to husband and raising children Marriages arranged by the family Careers outside of the home and some recreational activities are rather limited by gender expectations Women and men are segregated in public and private settings _ ,00.html /big-city-life.html

Saudi Arabia and Iran – Role of Women SAUDI ARABIA Women are not allowed to drive Women can only vote in local elections (as of 2015) Women must get permission for any travel/banking from father/husband women-participate-elections-time women-participate-elections-time IRAN Woman are allowed to drive Women can vote in all elections (as of 1979) Women can hold public offices

Comparing Arab & Persian Cultures Use what you’ve learned about Persian Culture with what you learned about Arab Culture to compare and contrast them with one another. Iran Saudi Arabia Name _____________________Period

Centers – Working in groups to collect more facts about Saudi Arabia and Iran Students will work in small groups to move through the centers. Each center has an article about either government, religion or the role of women in the two countries. After reading and discussing as a group, students are to add factual information to their note pages in their notebook.

Compare and Contrast Essay After completing our notes on Saudi Arabia and Iran, students will use the Pre-Write worksheet to organize their information. After completing the Pre-Write worksheet, students will follow the Social Studies Writing Rules to create their multi-paragraph essay. Remember – This is a Major Grade! If you have questions please ask!