1. SS7G8a,b
The Student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East)

2. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.
Ethnic Group- shares cultural ideas and beliefs that have been a part of the community for generations.
Common characteristics may include language, religion, a shared history, types of foods, and traditional stories, beliefs and celebrations.
These things make up a common culture shared by those in a particular ethnic group.

3. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.
Ethnic Group (Kurds)- live in mountain regions of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
Speak Kurdish
Most are Muslim
Do not have their own homeland or government
Minority group ruled by government of country in which they live

4. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.
Religious Group- share a belief system in a god or gods with a specific set of rituals and literature
People from different ethnic groups and/or different countries may share a religion while not sharing a common culture.

5. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.
Religion very important in history of Middle East
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all originated in M.E.
Followers of Judaism are called Jews.
Followers of Christianity are called Christians.
Followers of Islam are called Muslims.

6. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.
Which do Kurds share as a part of their ethnic group?
The Kurdish language
They live in the same country.
Self-rule in the land of Kurdistan
The ability to move freely to other countries

7. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.
Which are the 3 main religious groups of SW Asia?
Hinduism, Islam, Judaism
Christianity, Judaism, Islam
Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam
Christianity, Islam, Shamanism

8. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds
Arabs- believe themselves to be descendants of Abraham through his son Ishmael.
They are the majority ethnic group of those who live in the Middle East
There are differences among them.
Most practice the religion of Islam and call themselves Muslims.

9. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds
Muslims are divided into several groups.
The major groups are Sunni Muslims and Shia (or Shiite) Muslims.
Many Arabs are Christians.
Most Arabs speak the Arabic language.

10. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds
Persians live in the modern country of Iran.
Descended from a different group than those who are Arabs or Jews.
Ancestors were Indo-Europeans from Central Europe and Southern Russia.

11. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds
Persia became known as Iran after World War I.
Persians (or Iranians) speak Farsi (uses the Arabic alphabet but is a different language) *Like French and Spanish use the same alphabet as us, but are different languages. n'est-ce pas? n ¿no?
Most Persians belong to the Shia group of Muslims.
Only 15% of all Muslims are Shia.
The other 85% are Sunni Muslims.

12. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds
Kurds live in several different countries.
Most are found in the mountainous areas where Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Turkey come together.
See themselves as a distinct ethnic group.
Speak their own language (Kurdish), have a separate history, literature, music and set of traditions.

13. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds
Many Kurds hope to have their own homeland some day.
This has caused conflict with the countries in which they live.
Most are Sunni Muslim although there is a small minority who are Shia Muslim.

14. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds
Which ethnic group is most numerous in SW Asia?
Jews
Kurds
Arabs
Persians

15. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds
What modern country is the home to the Persians?
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Syria

16. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds
What is the religion of most Persians?
Christianity
Judaism
Shia Muslim
Sunni Muslim

17. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds
What is the religion of most of the Arabs or SW Asia?
Christianity
Judaism
Shia Muslim
Sunni Muslim

18. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds
What is the religion of most of the Kurds?
Christianity
Judaism
Shia Muslim
Sunni Muslim