Chapter 22

Religion, Politics and Oil of Southwest Asia

Mecca

The holiest city of Islam.Muslims travel here to fulfill a duty

known as haji, a pilgrimage to the holy city.

Islam

Monotheistic religion based on the teaching of Muhammad.

Governments controlled by Islam were theocratic. Iran still has a form of theocratic government.

Modern Arabic life

Western technology is becoming more and more visible in Southwest Asia.

Pick-up trucks, automobiles and motorcycles have replaced camels.

More and more cities are being built/constructed.

Cell phones, computers, and Internet access are increasingly common.

Jerusalem

Capital of Israel Judaism, Christianity and Islam all claim

Jerusalem as a holy city. Jews- Centered as modern and ancient

homeland. Christians- Place of Jesus’ crucifixion. Muslims- Dome of the Rock, believed to be

where Muhammad ascended into heaven.

Variety in religion, and even denominations of a certain religion, make it difficult to unify the area.

After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslims divided into two main branches- the Sunni and the Shi’ite. About 83% of all Muslims are Sunni.