Transcript NASWA Culture and Current Issues part 1

Persian Gulf and Interior
People and Language
• Islam is the main religion
of this region.
• Arabic is the most
common language
because the Qur’an is
written in Arabic.
• Other ethnicities of the
region: Kurds, Baloch,
Bakhtiari, and Hazara.
People and Languages
• Kurds are Muslim,
just not Arabic.
• Farsi is the language
used by most of Iran’s
Persians.
• Kurds, Baloch,
Bakhtiari, and Hazara
speak languages
related to Farsi.
People and Languages
• Because the
ethnicities of Iran and
Afghanistan are so
different, the cultural
diversity is complex.
• Afghanistan’s main
ethnic group is the
Pastritan, which are
tribes that speak
Pushtu
Focus on Culture;
Religion and Society
• Sunni choose their
Imams, religious
leaders, mainly to
lead prayers.
• Shia only allow those
related to Muhammad
the prophet to be their
Imams.
Focus on Culture;
Religion and Society
• 90% of all Muslims are
Sunnis, 10% are Shia.
• Sunni is found anywhere
Islam is practiced.
• Shi’ism is only found in
Iran, southern Iraq,
Yemen, Syria, and
Lebanon.
The Region Today
Economic Development
• Oil and Gas
Production are the
main economic
industries along the
Persian Gulf.
• It is hard to farm the
area because of the
dry, rugged
landscape.
• Barley and wheat are
the most common
crops.
Economic Development
• Bedouins are
nomadic herders that
move their camels,
goats, or sheep when
the seasons change.
• Modern
manufacturing is
limited but focuses on
building materials,
food products, and
other supplies.
The Region Today
Urban Environments
• Old- narrow streets
for walking, market
places called bazaar,
and a neighborhood
mosque near the city.
• New- air conditioned
shopping malls,
modern styled
buildings, and cars
are used.
The Region Today
Governments, Issues, and Challenges
• Saudi Arabia is a vital
member of OPEC
(organization of
Petroleum Exporting
countries), which
influences oil prices
by controlling supply.
Government, Issues, and Challenges
• In 1979, Iran’s monarchy
was ruled over by
ayatollahs, religious
leaders of the highest
authority among Shia
Muslims and is now a
theocracy.
• Iraq was dictated by
Saddam Hussein, who
used the country’s oil
revenues to build a large
military.
Government, Issues, and Challenges
• Under Hussein’s rule,
Iraq invaded Iran in
1980 and Kuwait in
1990 wanting oil.
• A group of countries
led by the U.S.
pushed back Iraqi
forces in 1991, which
was known as the
Persian Gulf War.
Government, Issues, and
Challenges
• In 2003, the U.S. led
an invasion of Iraq,
because of its
continued resistance
to inspections and
violations of UN rules.
• The Iraqi forces were
defeated and Saddam
Hussein was captured
Government, Issues, and
Challenges
• A group called the Taliban
came to power in the
1990’s and were driven
by an extreme version of
Sunni Islam.
• The U.S. and allied forces
attacked terrorist camps
and Taliban military
targets after September
11th (because they aided
the terrorists)
Government, Issues, and
Challenges
• A loyal jirga, a traditional
council, with
representatives from all
ethnic groups was held in
June 2002.
• Hamid Karzai was
elected as Afghanistan’s
president.
• The loyal jirga adopted a
new presidential system
of government with a
parliament.
Government, Issues, and
Challenges
• Now, women have more
educational and
economical opportunities.
• As a result, population
growth rates are often
high and large families
are common
• The importance of oil in
global trade has given the
oil-rich countries much
economic and political
power