The arabian Peninsula

The arabian PeninsulaReligion, Politics and Oil

Islam changes desert cultureTowns served as trade centers for caravans (oases)Silk Road portsBedouins move across peninsula for oasis to oasisCulture based on family tiesFought one another for control of landsWorshipped many gods (desert demons)Prophet Mohammad (570-632AD) comes along with IslamRaised as a trader from MeccaQuestioned idolatry of Meccans Visited by Angel Gabriel in the Hira CaveBegins spreading Islam

Foundations of Islam5 PillarsFaith (Shahadah) There is no god but Allah and Mohammad is his prophetPrayer (Salat) 5x a day facing Mecca; MosqueFasting (Sawm) no food or drink from sunup to sundown during RamadanCharity (Zakat) giving money to the poorPilgrimage (Hajj) all Muslims must make at least one trip to MeccaHoly Book is the KoranSharia Islamic laws JihadLesser throughout the worldGreater within oneself

Foundations of GovernmentRulers rely on religious law (THEOCRACY)Consult with religious leaders (imams)Iran example of current theocratic countryBG and Frances growing empires threaten weakened Islamic statesMuch of Middle East colonized after WW IWanted control of the Suez Canal and OIL

Spread of Islam

Jewish Holy Places: JerusalemThe First and Second TempleThe Western (Wailing) Wall

Christian Holy Places: JerusalemMount of Olives (Garden of Gethsemane)Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Golgotha / Calvary Hill)

Islamic Holy Places: JerusalemDome of the RockAl-Aqsa Mosque

Creation of Israel

In 1920, there was 1 Jew toevery 10 Arabs inPalestine.By 1947, the ratio was 2 Arabs forevery Jew

Holocaust

Reasons why the Jews should get Israel?

Had originally been their territory (history)Need a safe haven (protection)Never fully developed (development)

Why should Israel not be created?

Why should Israel be created?

So now what?

1948-1949Arab forces from Egypt, Transjordan (Jordan), Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon Israel supported by the UN and US, Britain, France

ConsequencesIsrael wins independence tension with its Arab neighbors ever sincefour more wars since thencreation of the PLO (1964) Yassir Arafatuse of intimidation and terrorismIsrael as a nuclear state, Arabs seeking nukes (Iran)Defines the regionJews vs Arabs

The eastern MediterraneanPalestinian Liberation OrganizationFormed in 1960s to regain land for PalestiniansLed by Yassir ArafatConsidered a terrorist organizationRefugees and Civil Wars3.7 million Palestinian refugeesCivil wars in Lebanon and Cyprus have caused death, suffering and econ problemsModern InfrastructureLacking for irrigation, communication and power

The NortheastEthnic GroupsTurks, Kurds, Persians, AssyriansBlending of ethnic traditions and Islamic practicesSunni83% of all Muslims are SunniTurkey, Iraq and AfghanistanBelieve that next Islamic caliph should be electedShia (Shiites)Minority within IslamIran as well as some Iraqis and AfghanisBelieve that next Islamic caliph should be descended from Mohammad

The NortheastTalibanStrict Muslim group in AfghanistanFollow Sharia to a faultForced out of control by US and coalition forces Are currently hiding in mountains and fighting to regain control of AfghKurdsStateless nation Claim a homeland in parts of Turkey, Iran and Iraq