Warm-Up Name the five Pillars of Islam Name the three holy cities in Islam
Islam and Geography
Deserts Only a small strip of fertile land in south of Saudi Arabia Few oases The rest is Desert
Bedouins Nomads who live in the desert Organized into tribes and clans Clans give security and support since they live in extreme conditions Defended themselves from other clans who wanted water, grazing territory, livestock or food supplies
Islamic Way of Life Bedouin valued Courage Loyalty to family Warrior skills This would lead to Islamic way of life
Trade Routes Many trade routes connected Arabia to major ocean and land trade routes Extreme south of the peninsula To the Byzantine in the north Caravan routes went to the Silk Roads in the east Transported spices to the west
Mecca Located in Saudi Arabia Important stop on trade routes During holy months, caravans stopped in Mecca and this brought religious pilgrims who came to worship at the Kaaba
Kaaba * Over the years many different gods and spirits were introduced here Had over 360 idols brought by many tribes