Middle East, Oil, and Islam Chapter

Jordan Struggle Independence 1946 Annexed West Bank 1948 – 1/3 of GDP in 60’s – Lost to Israel in 1967 Palestinian Refugees ½ of pop. Constitutional Monarchy Modern Today

Lebanon Mild Climate, beaches Beirut- Capital – Paris of the ME Independent 1943 Civil War in 1958, 1975, 1980’s Many ethnic groups Invaded by Israel in 1982 to drive out PLO – US tried to help, over 300 dead in truck bombs, so they left Mid 80’s-anarchy Cease fire in 1993 Still volatile today

Syria Rich farmland – Euphrates River Turkey’s dams= less water for Syria, Iraq Ruined hydroelectric power Droughts frequent Outdated equipment Human rights violations

Iraq Between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Oil discovered in 1920’s 1980 Sadaam Hussein attacked Iran – U.S. protected Persian Gulf, sold weapons to Iran 1988 Cease-fire attacked Kuwait to get oil 1991 U.S./U.N. liberated Kuwait in Gulf War – Embargo-restricted trade, could not sell oil to world

Iraq War 2003-? Invaded to get WMD Sadaam was killing Kurds- genocide? – Was prosecuted and put to death by his people for his crimes U.S. trying to restore order/government 3 groups fighting for power – Shi’ite Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Kurds – Untrusting of each other – At times close to civil war Big topic in 2008 Presidential Campaigns

Kurds World’s largest stateless minority 25 million Live in region called Kurdistan – Covers Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Armenia Sadaam accused of killing many between

Oil Modernization of ME Desalinization- taking salt out of sea water, expensive OPEC- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Founded in 1960 Decide cost and amount sold Oil prices jumped Gone in 40 years

Islam “Peace through submission to God” 1.5 Billion Worldwide One of 3 Abrahamic Religions 5 Pillars – Declaration of faith in God – Formal prayer 5 times a day – Fast during daylight during Ramadan – 2.5% of savings given to needy at end of year – Pilgrimage to Mecca once in lifetime

Islam Believe in: – 1 God – All prophets of God – Original Scriptures of Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad – Angels – Day of Judgement and Afterlife – Destiny

Islam Fastest growing religion Allah means God Qu’ran is holy text – Accept Koran (Jewish) and Bible (Christian) If all Qu’ran’s are destroyed, text will still exist because many have memorized it all word for word, syllable by syllable

Islam Terrorism, unjustified violence, killing is forbidden Jihad means inner struggle, not holy war Women are not oppressed – Wear hijab by choice to dress modestly Islam and Nation of Islam 2 different religions All Muslims are not Arab (only 20%) During Prayer, must face Mecca