Culture of the Middle East

Bazaars A permanent marketplace or street of shops First started along trade routes

Languages Main Language? – Arabic Other languages spoken in the Middle East – Hebrew (mostly in Israel) – Persian (main language in Iran) – Turkish (in Turkey)

1. Do all Middle Eastern countries have oil? 2. Are all wealthy, highly developed countries oil producers?

Oil in the Middle East Not all Middle Eastern countries have oil – OIL: S.A., Iraq, U.A.E., Kuwait, Iran, Syria – No OIL: Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon

Europe and US have always been very interested in the Middle East. WHY? 30% of the world’s current oil production from M.E.

Secular vs. Fundamentalist Secular: Loose, non – religious beliefs. Fundamentalist – strict belief in a religious system.

Role of Religion Secular – def: not religious Secularism – often used to describe societies with separation of church and state (religion does not affect laws & government) Middle Eastern countries that are more secular = Israel, Tunisia, Egypt, Kuwait and Turkey More religious countries in Middle East = Iran, Saudi Arabia

Modern v. Traditional Modern – willing to change ex: Turkey, Israel Traditional – resists change – wants things to stay the same as they have always been ex: Iran, Saudi Arabia

Sources of anti-US sentiment Growing U.S. presence in 1970s: bases in Gulf States U.S. support for Israel Supporting dictatorships in Arab states US intervention in Iraq “Cultural imperialism” – Also known as? Americanization (If it’s American culture taking over)

Fundamentalists A small amount of people do not like the changes they see in the Middle East. They believe that these changes go against Islamic beliefs. We often call these people Islamic Fundamentalists or Islamists – They believe that the Qur'an should be strictly interpreted (do exactly as it says) – Ex: ISIS/ISIL, Boko Haram, Al Queda If fundamentalists use violence to try to stop change, we call them terrorists.

Extremists Beliefs far outside the perceived center of society that violates society’s moral standards Fundamentalists and Terrorists would be extremists. ex: *Al Qaeda / ISIS *Zionist extremists *Christian fundamentalists who bomb abortion clinics (are also terrorists)

Review Questions 1.These people believe in a strict interpretation of their holy book (can be Christian, Muslim, etc.) 2.These people believe in using violence in order to achieve some political goal. 3.Name two reasons why there may be anti-US sentiment in some Middle Eastern countries. 4.A Jewish place of worship is called ___ 5.A Muslim place of worship is called ___ 6.What is an alluvial plane?

Practice Review Questions 1.What is the dominant language in the Middle East and North Africa? 2.Name three countries in the Middle East where #1 is not the dominant religion. 3. What is the dominant religion in the Middle East and North Africa? 4.Name one country where # 3 is not the dominant religion. 5.Gaza and the West Bank are two areas where conflict exists between ____ and ___. 6.What is the holy book of Islam? 7.What is the holy book of Judaism? 8.What is the holy book of Christianity? 9.Why is Jerusalem such a highly sought (wanted) city?

1.What is the number one economic activity in the Middle East and North Africa? 2.Which level of economic activity is #1? (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary) 3.To which continent does the Middle East belong? 4.What is the area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers called? 5.What is an alluvial plane? 6.Why did the first human civilization form in the Middle East? 7.What is a hearth? 8.The Middle East a hearth for which two major innovations? 9.What is cuneiform? 10.Which resource is most scarce in the Middle East? 11.How are countries helping to alleviate (to make less) this scarcity (from #9)? Practice Review Questions

11. What is this? a.Wadi b.Erg c.Steepes d.Aquifer 12. What are these? a.Wadi b.Erg c.Steepes d.Aquifer

13. What is this? a.Aquifer b.Oasis c.Erg d.Steepes 14. Petroleum is: a.A renewable resource b.A nonrenewable resource c.A tertiary resource d.An aquifer

15. Which letter represents each river? Tigris? Euphrates? Nile? 16. Which direction does each river flow? Tigris? Euphrates? Nile? A B C

A=Judaism B=Christianity C=Islam 1.Followers believe there is only one God – The God of Abraham 2.The Old Testament is an important religious text 3.The main religious teachings are found in the Torah 4.The main religious teachings are found in the Bible 5.The main religious teachings are found in the Koran (or Qur’an) 6.Religious services are held at a mosque 7.A pilgrimage to Mecca is an important religious duty 8.Religious services are held in a synagogue 9.Easter one of the most important religious holidays 10.Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad are prophets 11.Jesus is the son of God 12.Charity and good works are important parts of religious life 13.Important religious sites are located in Jerusalem 14.Good deeds will be rewarded in the afterlife 15.Arabic is the sacred language 16.God is called Allah 17.There is no sacred language 18.Divided into sects 19.Hebrew is the sacred language 20.God is called Adonai 21.Friday is the most important prayer service 22.Sunday is the most important prayer service