The Arabian Peninsula Chapter 22, Section 1

Vocabulary Mecca Islam Muhammad mosque theocratic OPEC

Human Perspective Every year, in fulfillment of the Hajj, two million people stream into Mecca. In the past, this journey involved a difficult journey across oceans and over miles of desert. Today they arrive on airplanes. All are dressed in simple, white garments and all perform special activities, rituals and ceremonies. All this activity is a powerful example of spiritual devotion by one of the three major religions that claim a home in Southwest Asia.

Islam Changes the Desert Culture A trading society Oases and caravans Bedouins Islamic Culture Unites Arabs Five Pillars Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting (Ramadan), Pilgrimage (Hajj) Because of its location, the Arabian Peninsula entertains many opportunities for trade and exchange of culture and religion. Early towns grew at oases, trade centers for caravans and ports along the Silk Road to East Asia. Nomadic desert dwellers, called Bedouins, moved through the desert from oasis to oasis, and built a culture based on family ties. Often families fought each other for pasture land for their livestock. These fighting skills would later help to spread a new religion that developed in the region. Islam is a Monotheistic religion based on the teachings of its founder, Muhammad, who lived much of his life in a city called Mecca. This religion, which for the first time united the peoples of the peninsula by providing them with a similar culture, required performance of five duties, known as the Five Pillars. Faith: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” Prayer: Five times per day; either at a mosque or simply where they are at the prayer time. Charity or almsgiving: Give money and support to those who are less fortunate. Fasting: During Ramadan, too not eat or drink anything between sunrise and sunset. This demonstrates that there are things more important than eating and is a sign of self-control and humility. Pilgrimage: At least once during their lifetime, if at all possible. With the growth of Islam, a culture and the governing structure expanded through armies of Bedouin fighters to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe.

Government Changes Hands Theocracy European Influence Saudi Arabia The traditional governing system of the lands controlled by Muslims were theocratic. (Rulers relied on religious law and consulted with religious leaders on running their country.) Some modern nations--most evident Iran--are run by religious leaders. As Muslim countries lost power and European Nations established empires, much of Southwest Asia came under the power of Britain and France, especially after World War I and the fall of the Ottoman Empire. This region was valuable to them because of the Suez Canal and because oil was found there in 1932. The European powers did not colonized the whole region; in the Arabian Peninsula, Abdul al-Aziz Ibn Saud, consolidated power over most of the peninsula, creating what would become Saudi Arabia, where his descendants still rule. What keeps the United States from being a theocracy?

Oil Dominates the Economy Oil Dependent OPEC The economies of the Arabian Peninsula are highly dependent on income from oil. In 1960, a group of oil producing countries got together to coordinate policies on selling petroleum products, OPEC. Their objective is to control world-wide oil prices by adjusting oil prices and production. Is having oil deposits good for a country?

Modern Arabic Life Tradition vs. Progress Supermarkets Increased Urbanization Foreign Workers Everything Stops for Prayer ‘Id al-Fitr The arrival of twentieth century development, with its technology and machines, undermined traditional ways of life. Camels==> pick-ups and motorcycles. Also missing are some of the traditional markets: bazaars and souks. today modern supermarkets are common in the peninsula. Even though towns and cities had always been part of Arabian culture, the 20th century brought the same rise in urbanization as we have witnessed in other developing regions. In Saudi Arabia, the urban population is 83%. The sale of oil products to the rest of the world has also brought change in the types of jobs people work in. Even though the nations of the peninsula scrambled to improve their education systems, some needs could not be met with domestic labor, resulting in many foreign workers. In Qatar, for example, only on in five workers is a native of the land. Even with modernization, Islam remains a force of tradition in the region. Women cover their heads, hairs and sometimes their whole face. Even though women’s roles are expanding, many stay at home to manage the families affairs. When the time for prayer comes, faithful Muslims stop what they are doing in order to fulfill their duty to pray. On Friday, they will pray together in a Mosque. During Ramadan, Muslims might eat a light dinner after sundown. They celebrate the end of Ramadan with Id al Fitr. New clothes, gifts and elaborate dinner, along with acts of charity are part of the celebration.

The most important city for the Islamic faith is... a. Istanbul b. Mecca c. Baghdad d. Cairo

The organization that was designed to fix oil prices is... a. OPEC b. NATO c. USSR d. Oilpricefix r’ us

Who rules Saudi Arabia? a. the Ayatollah b. the Pope c. members of the Saud family d. Mullah Abdullah