1. Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Centered around control of Jerusalem
Land has been constantly fought over because of the fact that it is a holy land for not only the Jewish faith but also Islam
City founded by Jewish King David in 1000 B.C.E.
Muslim Arabic armies took control in 638 C.E.
Nation of Palestine created and controlled by Islamic Empires
Crusades
Religious wars during Middle Ages

2. Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
In 1948 the state of Israel was created by the United Nations
Land taken from the nation of Palestine and split into two parts but kept under the control of one nation
Palestinians feel like the land is rightfully theirs and refuse to recognize Jewish control
Jews feel like it is their land and were willing to share with Muslims until violence ensued.

3. Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
West Bank is currently considered to belong to the Palestinians (not recognized as an independent nation)
Peace Talks have been taking place as recently as last year.
Current events keep sparking new issues.

4. How do you feel about this quote. Do you feel as if it is accurate
How do you feel about this quote? Do you feel as if it is accurate? Explain your reasoning.
Why is the author significant?
Where is the author from?

5. Modern Issues and Conflicts in N Africa and SW Asia

6. Middle Eastern Clothing and Customs

7. Middle Eastern Culture
Struggle between tradition and modernity
Islam is often seen as both a religion and a lifestyle
Focus on:
Honor (self-respect to self-pride)
Equal treatment regardless of wealth, position, or rank.
Strong loyalty to extended family, friends, and locality
Expectation of solidarity.
Family – loyalty; respect for elders

8. Gender Relations Most societies are patriarchal
Women expected to submit to both religion and men
Men are considered the breadwinners and closer to religion
Women were expected to have an escort when in public
Many still prefer arranged marriages
Divorce is not normally allowed
In some nations today, women are allowed to ask for a divorce
Tradition said that all a man had to do was say ‘I divorce you’ three times and it was official
Men most of the time get the children

9. Status of Women Women’s roles vary in different nations
Persian Gulf states- most women do not work outside of home, if they do its in all women institutions
In Egypt, women are allowed to file for divorce and travel overseas without approval
In Turkey, women wear Western clothes
In Kuwait, women are allowed to vote
In Saudi Arabia, women eat separate from men in public and can attend female only universities

10. Clothing
Men
Must be covered from knees to waist in Islamic nations
Most wear turbans or head-covers for both religious purposes and to cover head from extreme heat
Women
Many women are not required to wear head-coverings but choose to do so for modesty
In some Islamic countries, women are expected to be covered fully with exception of hands and face
Stricter nations require everything to be covered
Rationale is so women are not viewed in a sexual manner

11. Types of Veil
Hijab- head-covering used as a symbol of womanhood and modesty. Mostly associated with religion.
Khimar- long cape-like veil covers hair, neck, and shoulders
Chador- full body cloak worn in Iran
Niqab- veil attached to head-cover. Covers all but eyes.
Burqa- covers entire fce and bocy with mesh screen to see
SOURCE:
The word hijab comes from the Arabic for veil and is used to describe the headscarves worn by Muslim women.
These scarves, regarded by many Muslims as a symbol of both religion and womanhood, come in a myriad of styles and colours.
The type most commonly worn in the West is a square scarf that covers the head and neck but leaves the face clear.
The khimar is a long, cape-like veil that hangs down to just above the waist. It covers the hair, neck and shoulders completely, but leaves the face clear.
The chador, worn by Iranian women when outside the house, is a full-body cloak. It is often accompanied by a smaller headscarf underneath.
The niqab is a veil for the face that leaves the area around the eyes clear. However, this may be obscured by a separate eye veil. It is worn with an accompanying headscarf, such as a khimar.
The burqa is the most concealing of all Islamic veils. It covers the entire face and body, leaving just a mesh screen to see through.

12. Hijab
Women’s attire (hijab) has been frequently viewed via a political lens.
Kemal Attaturk prohibited Islamic outfit.
Syrian government placed ban on the hijab in the 1980s.
Turkey and Tunisia persecuted women who wear hijab since early 1990s.
Iran and Saudi Arabia continue to enforce hijab.
France outlawed hijab in late 2003.

13. Eating
With hands
Right hand ONLY – that includes handing something from other side of plate with that hand only
On ground
Will use a commonplate in some occasions

14. Social Norms
Hospitality is a custom in the Middle East – take great pride in showing it – always offered coffee and a snack (like figs) Displaying the sole of one’s foot or touching someone with a foot is considered rude – usually have to take shoes off before entering someone’s living room (and definitely a Mosque)