Chapter 22 Notes- Human Geography of Southwest Asia

Religion, Politics, & Oil

Section 1: The Arabian PeninsulaIslam- based on the teachings of Muhammad.

MonotheisticMosque- place of worshipAll Muslims (followers of Islam) perform the 5 pillars.

Faith

“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

• all believers believe in this statement of faith

Prayer

Muslims face toward Mecca and pray five times a day

• may be done in a mosque or elsewhere

Charity (Alms or Giving)

responsible to support less fortunate by giving money

Fasting

During Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink anything between sunrise and sunset.

This reminds Muslims that there are more important things in life than food.Seen as sign of humility and self-control.

PilgrimageMuslims are expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during their lifetime

Called the Hajj

Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Spread of

Many people on Arabian Peninsula began to convert to Islam

• spread religion• Muslims became leaders of conquered

lands• Arabic language spread across lands

(Asia, Africa, and Europe)

Types of IslamTwo main branches of Islam

Sunni Muslim- 83% of all MuslimsShi’ite Muslim (mostly in Iran)

Section 1: The Arabian Peninsula

Theocratic- religious leaders control the government.

many of the governments in the region are this

Section 1: The Arabian Peninsula

Arabic Women-Most cover themselves from head to toe in a burqa (Arabic covering)

• Modesty & being covered is believed to be pleasing to god.

Section 2: The Eastern Mediterranean

3 major religions were all started in Southwest Asia

Judaism, Christianity, & Islam All 3 claim Jerusalem as a holy city.

JudaismEstablished 3,200 years ago.Basic laws and teachings come from the Torah.Jerusalem is the religious center of Judaism.

Jews and the Holy LandTorah establishes claim to Holy LandJerusalem is holiest Jewish cityBelieve Holy Land was gift from God to Abraham and LotKing David brought ark containing original Torah hereSite of King Solomon's temple

Section 2:The Eastern Mediterranean

The Western WallHoliest site of Judaism - Western Wall (Wailing Wall)Whole area is known as the Temple Mount

• First Temple built by King Solomon then destroyed• Temple was rebuilt• Second Temple destroyed by the Romans• Only piece left standing is known as the Western Wall• No Jewish temple on site since 70 A.D.

Western Walla.k.a. the Wailing Wall

considered the holiest site in Israel

part of an ancient Temple of Solomon

ChristianityEvolved 2,000 years ago from JudaismBased on teaching of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe to be the son of God.Teachings recorded in the Bible.Spread from Jerusalem

Christians and the Holy LandChristians cherish Jerusalem as the site of Jesus’ life, death and resurrectionHome to original cross and stone of Christ’s tombSite of sacred Church of the Holy SepulcherHolds variety of Christian shrines

IslamEstablished around 613 A.D.Based on teachings of prophet MuhammadHas close ties to the prophets and teachers of Judaism and ChristianityHoly book is the Qur’an.Two major sects are Sunni and Shiite.

Muslims and the Holy LandQur’an establishes claim that both Jews and Arabs are people of AbrahamIslam claims Jerusalem as 3rd most holy city behind Mecca & MedinaDome of the Rock- spot where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad rose into heaven

Next to Western WallSite of frequent clashes between Muslims & Jews

Section 2: The Eastern Mediterranean

After WW1 Britain controlled PalestineZionism- goal of the creation & support of a Jewish homeland in Palestine

Section 2: The Eastern Mediterranean

After WW2 world sentiment favored giving the Jews a national homeland. May 14th, 1948 Israel was established.• Western nations (Europe and U.S.) supported the

creation of Israel• Most Arab nations are angered and upset about

the creation of a Jewish designated country in what is predominately a Muslim occupied region.

Reaction Arab countries (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria) tried to destroy Israel

Arab-Israeli War (1948)

Six Day War (1967)

Yom Kippur War (1973)

Results

Arab countries defeated

Israel gained more territory

• Military occupied Gaza Strip & West Bank

• Palestine is no longer a country

Section 2: The Eastern Mediterranean

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)- formed to regain the land for Arabs

Political & Military means used

HamasHamas (Palestinian Nationalist group) demands own territory, currently occupies Gaza StripConsidered a terrorist organization

Section 2: The Eastern Mediterranean

Ottoman Empire- Muslim based government, started in Turkey

Lasted from 1520-1920 (‘til end of WW1)

Section 3: The Northeast

The Kurds- ethnic group in Southwestern Asia

Stateless nation5,000+ were gassed to death by Saddam Hussein’s army. Saddam was executed for this

Section 3: The NortheastMesopotamia- many civilizations were started here in the “land between the rivers” (AKA The Fertile Crescent)

SumerBabyloniaAssyriaChaldeaHittitesPersia

Section 3: The NortheastTaliban- fundamentalist Muslim political group in Afghanistan

No television, music or movies

No whistling or clapping

No dancing

No shorts

No photography

No smoking

Men must have a beard and wear a head covering

Women:

•No jobs, must stay at home

•Must wear the burqa and be with a male relative outside the house

•No schooling/education

•No revealing ankles/ no white socks

•No treatment by male doctors

•No make-up or brightly colored clothes

•No associating with male shopkeepers

•No laughing loudly•No high heels

•No driving•No riding bicycles

•No washing clothes next to a river unless a male relative is

present•Windows must be painted or

covered

Osama bin Laden