Transcript History and Government of SW Asia

History and Government of
N. Africa/S.W. Asia
The Center of Civilization
Early Civilizations
• Pre-Historic man
eventually came to
settle near sources of
water.
• Farmers in the region
were the first to
domesticate plants and
animals.
– What does it mean to
domesticate?
Early Civilizations
• The early civilizations
were called Cultural
Hearths.
• These hearths were
centers from which ideas
and traditions spread.
• From the Egyptian
Civilization came:
– Irrigation
– 365 day calendar
– Hieroglyphics
Early Civilizations
• The Persian Empire, at
it’s height was one of
the most powerful
empires in the world.
– Made prosperous from
trade on the Silk Road.
– Persians constructed
Qanats, or underground
canals.
Major Religions
• Three major religions all
began in this area of the
world.
– Judaism
– Christianity
– Islam
• All three religions are
Monotheistic.
– Belief in one god.
Major Religions
• Judaism– The oldest Monotheistic faith.
– Followers of Judaism are
known as Jews.
– Jerusalem is the religious
center of Judaism.
– The holy book of Judaism is
called the Torah.
– Worship services are held in
synagogues.
– A Jewish priest is known as a
Rabbi.
– Hanukkah is a major holiday.
Major Religions
• Christianity– Followers are known as
Christians.
– Follows the teachings of
Jesus.
– Holy book is called the
Bible.
– Are divided into two
branches, Protestant and
Catholic
– Major holidays include
Christmas and Easter.
Major Religions
• Islam– Followers of Islam are
called Muslims.
– Based on a revelation
from God to the prophet
Muhammad.
– Worship services are
held in a Mosque.
– The Islamic holy book is
called the Quran.
The Five Pillars of Islam
• Shahada: Profession of
Faith
• Salat: Prayer
• Zakat: Charity
• Sawm: Fasting
• Hajj: Pilgrimage
Shahada
(Testimony)
• “I bear witness that
there is no God but
God and Muhammad is
His Messenger.”
• Converting to Islam
– Professing Shahada
in front of two
Muslim witnesses
• Whispered into right
ear of newborns
– No concept of
original sin
Salat (Prayer)
• Five times a day
• The call to prayer
• The Friday prayer
Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage)
•
•
•
•
Arrival
Journey
Completion
Lesson Learned
Hajj begins: 29 Dec. 2006, 18 Dec. 2007, 25 Nov. 2008
Zakat (Giving Alms)
• Principle
• Religious aspect
• Other aspects
Sawm (Fasting)
• Fasting during Islamic
month of Ramadan
during daylight hours
• Food
• Drink
• Sex
• Smoking
• Bad manners to eat or
drink in presence of
Muslims
Ramadan: 28 days following 24 Sept. 2006, 13 Sept. 2007, 2 Sept. 2008
RingBeller
• Answer in you note book the following
question:
– Write a short paragraph explaining the five pillars
of Islam and from an academic perspective
describe whether you think the principles of Islam
promote peace and harmony, or conflict and
discord in Islamic society.
• Palestinian/Israeli conflict lesson/video
Arab/Israeli Conflict
• While dating back
centuries, this modern
conflict defines the
conflict gripping this
area of the world.
• The conflict is based on
territory that both sides
claim is their homeland.
Arab/Israeli Conflict
• From 1517-1917,
Turkey Ottoman
Empire controlled
what is now Jordan
and Israel.
• After WW I Britain
controlled Palestine.
Arab/Israeli Conflict
• The British favored a
Jewish Homeland.
• In 1923 Britain
divided the area.
• What do think this
lead to?
Arab/Israeli Conflict
• Unable to curb the
fighting, the British
turn the matter over
to the United
Nations.
• The U.N. established
the “Country” of
Israel as a Jewish
territory.
Arab/Israeli Conflict
• How did Muslim
Palestinians react to
this?
• The last 50 years has
been fraught with
conflict and acts of
terrorism against each
side.
• Several wars have been
fought against Israel.
Arab/Israeli Conflict
• As the map shows, Over
the last 50 years what
has happened to
Palestinian land?
• What do you think the
Palestinian reaction has
been.