SS7G8 The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people
who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East).
a. Explain the differences between an
ethnic group and a religious group. b. Explain the diversity of religions within
the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds.
Culture
Religious group:
Group that shares a common belief, normally in God or Gods
and practice that belief the same way-religion
Ethnic Group: Group that share a
common history, ancestry. And normally shares same language. Many have one
religion but some have several religious groups
Arab
Most are Sunni Muslims, but there are other religious groups too. For example, 10 million Christian Arabs live in Egypt (the Coptic).
Jews 4,000 year old Ethnic Group who practices Judaism and lives mainly in Israel in the Middle East, but they are found worldwide
Minority group that practices Sunni Islam and lives in Syria, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq
They have their own language and many want their own State.
Very old Ethnic group (at least 2,000 years old) most of whom are Shi’ite (Shia) Muslim
They have their own language (Persian) and their own State-Iran.