Religious & Ethnic Groups in Southwest Asia Grade 7 Social Studies

What is a Religious Group? A religious group is a group of people who choose to have the same belief about how the world was created, who created the world, and rules that people should live by.

What is an Ethnic Group? An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, consisting of a common language, a common culture (often including a common religion), and a tradition of common ancestry.

So…What is the difference between a Religious Group and an Ethnic Group? 1. Members of a religious group have made a choice to be a part of a religious belief system. A person belongs to a religious group based upon what he or she believes about life and God. 2. Members of an ethnic group were often born into that group. A person belongs to an ethnic group based upon ancestry and culture, not because of a choice he or she made.

How are the three predominant religions in Southwest Asia alike and different? The three predominant religions in Southwest Asia are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The three predominant religions in Southwest Asia are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They are all based upon monotheism, a belief in one god. They are all based upon monotheism, a belief in one god. They each have a location where the religion was founded. They each have a location where the religion was founded. They each have a sacred text, or book, which is at the core of its faith. Each book is a collection of writings compiled over time. They each have a sacred text, or book, which is at the core of its faith. Each book is a collection of writings compiled over time. They each have believers. They each have believers. They each have basic beliefs. They each have basic beliefs.

How are the three predominant religions in Southwest Asia alike? Christianity / Judaism / Islam a god a founder a location where it was founded a religious text believers basic beliefs

How are the three predominant religions in Southwest Asia different? As you learn about the three predominant religions in Southwest Asia, fill in your “Comparison of 3 Religions” table. The information on the table, will be on your test!!

What is Christianity? Who is worshiped? God / Jesus Who is worshiped? God / Jesus Who is the founder? Jesus Who is the founder? Jesus When was it founded? 8-4 BC When was it founded? 8-4 BC Where was it founded? Israel (Palestine) Where was it founded? Israel (Palestine) What is their religious text? the Bible What is their religious text? the Bible What are its believers called? Christians What are its believers called? Christians What are its basic beliefs? What are its basic beliefs? Jesus is the Messiah or Savior

What is Judaism? Who is worshiped? Yahweh Who is worshiped? Yahweh Who is the founder? Abraham Who is the founder? Abraham When was it founded? 2000 BC When was it founded? 2000 BC Where was it founded? Mesopotamia Where was it founded? Mesopotamia What is their building of worship? Synagogue What is their building of worship? Synagogue What is their religious text? Torah What is their religious text? Torah What are its believers called? Jews What are its believers called? Jews What are its basic beliefs? What are its basic beliefs? God made a covenant with Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars and that they would always have the land of Canaan.

What is Islam? Who is worshiped? Allah Who is worshiped? Allah Who is the founder? Muhammad Who is the founder? Muhammad When was it founded? About 600 AD When was it founded? About 600 AD Where was it founded? Mecca, Saudi Arabia Where was it founded? Mecca, Saudi Arabia What is their religious text? Koran-Qur’an What is their religious text? Koran-Qur’an What are its believers called? Muslims What are its believers called? Muslims What are its basic beliefs? What are its basic beliefs? Five Pillars: 1) Shahada-faith in one god (Allah) ;2) Salat-prayer; 3) Zakat-giving alms (giving to the poor); 4) Ramadan-fasting (no eating or drinking); and 5) Hajj- pilgrimage (trip to Mecca)

Let’s Check Our Table! JUDAISMCHRISTIANITYISLAM Who is Worshiped? Yahweh God / Jesus Allah Founder?AbrahamJesusMuhammad WhenFounded? 2000 BC 8-4 BC About 600 AD WhereFounded?Mesopotamia Israel (Palestine) Mecca, Saudi Arabia Religious Text? TorahBibleKoran-Qur’an Believers?JewsChristiansMuslim Basic Beliefs? God made a covenant with Abraham, etc. Jesus is the Messiah or Savior Five Pillars (listed and explained)

How are the three predominant religions in Southwest Asia alike and different? 1. Read each EdHelper article about the religions and answer the discussion questions that follow. 2. Read Lesson 16: Origins of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in the Coach Book and answer the questions that follow. (pp ) 3. Make a compare and contrast map to show the similarities and differences among the three religions. 4. Go to Global Connections Interactive Website to learn more: Global Connections _ Middle East Religion, Ethnic Groups, and Language Distribution PBS.mht Global Connections _ Middle East Religion, Ethnic Groups, and Language Distribution PBS.mhtGlobal Connections _ Middle East Religion, Ethnic Groups, and Language Distribution PBS.mht

What are the Predominant Ethnic Groups in Southwest Asia? ArabsPersiansKurds

You will make a table explaining the differences between these ethnic groups. LocationReligionLanguageArabs Persians Kurds

What are the Characteristics of Arabs? Where do they live? Middle East & North Africa Most live in western Saudi Arabia. They are the largest populated group in the region. What religion do most follow? What religion do most follow? Mostly Islam (Sunni Islam & Shi’a Islam) but small numbers practice other religions What language do they speak? Mostly Arabic

What are the Characteristics of Persians? Where do they live? Middle East Most live in Iran. What religion do most follow? What religion do most follow? Mostly Islam: Shi’a Muslim, Sunni, and other religions What language do they speak? Persian or Farso

What are the Characteristics of Kurds? Where do they live? Middle East Includes southeastern Turkey, northeastern Syria, northern Iraq, western Iran, and Azerbaijan and Armenia What religion do most follow? What religion do most follow? Mostly Islam: Less strict Muslims What language do they speak? Kurdish

Let’s Check Our Table. LocationReligionLanguageArabs Middle East & North Africa (western Saudi Arabia) MostlyIslamMostlyArabic Persians Middle East (Iran) Mostly Islam (Shi’a Muslim, Sunni) Persian or Farso Kurds Middle East Turkey, etc.) Mostly Islam (Less strict Muslims) Kurdish

Who are the Sunni and Shia Muslims? The word “Sunni” means: one who follows the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. The word “Sunni” means: one who follows the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. The Sunni Muslims believe that leaders following Muhammad should be elected from those that are capable of doing the job. The Sunni Muslims believe that leaders following Muhammad should be elected from those that are capable of doing the job. This is, in fact, how Muslim leaders are chosen. This is, in fact, how Muslim leaders are chosen.

Who are the Sunni and Shia Muslims? The word “Shia” means: a group of supportive party of the people. The word “Shia” means: a group of supportive party of the people. The Shia Muslims believe that leaders following Muhammad should have stayed within the Prophet Muhammad’s family. The Shia Muslims believe that leaders following Muhammad should have stayed within the Prophet Muhammad’s family. Because this is not how Muslim leaders are chosen, Shia Muslims do not recognize Muslim authority. Because this is not how Muslim leaders are chosen, Shia Muslims do not recognize Muslim authority.

So…Why are the Sunni and Shia Muslims divided? The Sunni Muslims make up the majority (85%) of Muslims all over the world. The Sunni Muslims make up the majority (85%) of Muslims all over the world. Although the Sunni and Shia Muslims share a common faith, they are divided due to the disagreement among who should lead the Muslim faith. Although the Sunni and Shia Muslims share a common faith, they are divided due to the disagreement among who should lead the Muslim faith. Sunni: Leaders should be elected. Shia: Leadership is a birthright.