Middle East, past and present

Middle East, The Past And The Present

Emad SalihMedicine Hat Muslim Community

Mecca (The birth place of Islam)

The Quran Revealed to Prophet

Mohamed over a period of 23 years.

114 chapters, 604 pages

Memorized by many and written down during the life of the prophet.

The Prophetic Traditions (Sunnah)

300,000 of the prophetic teachings handed down and collected in the books of “Sunnah”.

Explains the Quran and shows how it should be applied in real life.

What is a Muslim’s belief?

Do Muslims believe in a different God whom they call Allah?

- No, Allah is the Arabic name for God used by all Arabs, Muslims, Christians and others.

Do Muslims worship Mohammed?

- No, Mohammed is the Messenger entrusted with God’s final revelation to mankind.

Do Muslims deny Jesus and other Biblical Prophets?

- No, the exact opposite is true. Muslims believe in all the Prophets of God and revere them. No Muslim is a Muslim if he denies or disrespects any Prophet.

Do Muslims reject the Bible as a whole?

- No, Muslims believe in the original Bible revealed to Jesus but reject any additions, deletions, revisions, and errors in translation.

Cont. The Belief of Muslims

“Say, [O believers], "We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and his Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.” ( Quran 2:136)

The Middle East

Middle East Before Christianity (The Persian

Empire 559 BC)

The Roman Persian Struggle For Control

The Roman Empire At Its Greatest

Extent

Islamic Empire 630-730 CE

Ottoman Empire At Its Greatest Extent

The Rise Of The Safavid Dynasty

Ottoman Safavid Power Struggle

Ottoman Loss Of Control

European Colonialism Of The

Middle East

European Colonialism

Religious Map Of Middle-East

Major Conflicts In Middle East History

Mongol Invasion The Crusades Power Struggle Between Ottomans and

Safavids European Colonialism Puppet dictatorships in lieu of direct

occupation Arab Israeli Conflict American Invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan Current day conflicts between Sunnah and

Shiaa

Mongol Invasions 13th & 14th Centuries 1.6 Million killed in Hara (Afghanistan) 1.7 Million killed in Nishapur (Iran) Population of Persia from 2.5 Mil. to 250K 1-2 Million killed in Baghdad Population of China from 120 Mil. to 60 Mil. Ukraine Population dropped by one half Hungary Population dropped by one half Destroyed most cities in today’s Russia Total death toll 40-70 Million

Mongol Empire At Its Height

The Crusades 1095-1291

Estimated death toll 9 Million Half of the dead were Christians Crusades targeted not only Muslims They targeted Jews and Greek Orthodox

Christians as well Initial force led by Priest Peter the Hermit Offered indulgences (Freedom to commit

any sin) Initial army most French and German

Peasants

Ottoman-Persian Wars from the 16th to the 19th

Century Against the Safavid, Hotaki, Afsharid, Zand

and Qajar dynasties The Safavid Dynasty responsible for forced

conversion of Iran and Azrebaijan to Shiism

Established dominance of a more extreme brand of Shiism (The Twelver sect)

Multiple massacres against the Sunni population such as the Asfahan and Tibriz massacres

European Colonialism

Lasted for decades Longest occupation in Algeria 1830-1962 1.5 deaths in Algeria alone in struggle for

independence from France 600,000 death in Libya 1911-1951 till

independence from Italy Colonial armies left Middle East only

leave divisions based on sectarian affiliation and only to appoint puppet governments

Role Of Puppet Governments

Deprive Middle East Nations of democratic choices for fear of rise of Islamic Powers which are perceived as a possible threat to Israel and the West

Recent examples of the above: 1-Overthrow of democratically elected Islamic Government in Algeria 1992 leading to civil war from 1992-2002 and 200,000 deaths2-Overthrow of The Union Of Islamic Courts in Somalia in 2006 leading to ongoing Chaos, lawlessness, emergence of Al-Shabab and many deaths

Cont. Role of Puppet Governments

3-Overthrough of democratically elected Egyptian resident, Morsi, in 2013 with the killing of thousands of his peaceful supporters, imprisonment of more than 40,000, emergence of Islamic State in Sinai and ongoing turmoil. Corrupt governments chosen and

maintained on the basis of their loyalty to world powers not on efficiency and service for their people.

Examples: 1-Current Iraqi government2-Current Afghan Government

Arab-Israeli Conflict Israel established 1948 9 Million Palestinians lived in Palestine prior

to 1948 5 Million Palestinians displaced from their

homeland and replaced by Israeli settlers At least 1/2 Million killed since that date Israel continues to build settlements and

displace Palestinians + recent wars Gaza blockade 2007-Present (Even kept

calorie count, no more than 2,279 Cal/person/day), 43% unemployment, soaring infant death etc.

Gradual Annexation of Palestinian Land

American/UN Sanctions and Invasion Of Iraq

Sanctions 1991-1998 UNICEF estimates 500,000 children < 5 died Lancet: 567,000 children < 5 deaths Denis Halliday (UN Humanitarian Coordinator

in Baghdad) resigned after a 34 year career with UN stating “I don’t want to administer a program that satisfies the definition of Genocide”

May 1996, 60 Min. Interview of Madeline Albright about the death of ½ Mil. Children and she replied “ I think this is a very hard choice but we think the price is worth it”

American Invasion of Iraq 2003

Pre-war statements about WMD Opposed by UN 3 Million anti-war rally in the Rome (Largest) Protests of 36 Million people across globe US, UK, Australia, and Poland 7,500 civilians killed during invasion Shiaa sided with Americans and given rule Sectarian violence & rise of extremist

groups Up until 2007 research > 1.1 million deaths

Sunni Shia DivideSunni

Muslim Rulership based on merit

Accepting any Muslim as leader

Only the Quran and sayings of the Prophet (Sunnah) are source of religion and law

Only God is divine

90% of Muslims

Respect the prophets disciples and wives

Shiaa Ruler has to be a

descendent of Ali

Revolting against any leader who is not a Shiite

Interpretations & saying of their Imams and Ayatullahs supersede

Ali & Ayatullahs given divine qualities

7-10% of Muslims

Revile both

Current Shiaa-Sunnah Conflicts

Sparked by Iranian intervention in Iraq following American invasion, support for Syrian regime & instigation of unrest in Sunni countries e.g. Yemen, Bahrain

Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthis in Yemen

Sunni nations starting to fight back Sunni nations also fighting against Sunni

extremist groups such as ISIS Syrian conflict 250,000, >90% by Syrian

Regime (Tacit approval of Int. Community)

Is Internal fighting unique to Muslims?

European Wars of Religion 1524-1648: 15 Million deaths

World Wars1 & 2 (100 million deaths) Rwandan Genocide 1994 (1 million killed in 4

months) Russian Civil War 1917-1922 (9 Million deaths) American Civil War (>800,000 deaths) Chinese Civil Wars 1927-1950 (6 million deaths) Deaths under Communist Regimes 100 Million

Interesting Prophesies About Iraq & Palestine/Syria“There will come a time when no food or money will be delivered to the people of Iraq” He was asked “ How could that happen?” He replied “non-Arabs will impose sanctions on them” then he said: “There will come a time when no money or food will be delivered to the people of Sham (Palestine/Syria)” We said to him “ How could that happen?” He replied : “This will be imposed by the Romans (People from European descent)” (Mohammed 570-632)“Once internal fighting starts in my nation, it will not be lifted till the day of judgment” (Mohammed)

Interesting Prophecy About Rulership In Muslim World

"Prophethood will remain with you for as long as Allah wills, then Allah will lift it. Afterwards, there will be a Caliphate then, Allah will lift it whenever He wills. Afterwards, there will be a monarchy for as long as Allah wills then he will lift it. Then, there will be a reign of tyrants for as long as Allah wills then he will lift it. Then, there will be a Caliphate that follows the guidance of Prophethood” (Prophet Mohammed 570-632)

Interesting Prophecy About Internal Strife & Rise Of Extremists

Sahl Ibn Haneef said: "I heard the prophet say while pointing his hand towards Iraq: "There will appear some people who will recite the Quran but it will not go beyond their throats, and they will go out from the fold of Islam as an arrow darts through the game's body” (Mohammed 570-632)

“There will be internal strife and fighting in this nation of mine. And there will appear a certain group, their talk is sweet but their actions are awful, they recite the Quran but it does not go past their throat. They are worst of mankind and the whole creation”

Interesting Prophecy Occupation of Muslim Land ‘Imminently, there will come a time when

nations will collectively attack you, just as people would divide a feast.’ A man said, ‘Will it be because we are few at that time, O Allah’s Messenger?’ He responded, ‘No, you will be numerous in those times, but you will be as useless as the scum of the sea, and Allah will remove the fear that your enemies used to posses towards you, and He will place weakness in your hearts’, it was said, ‘What is that weakness?’, he responded, ‘attachment to worldy life, and fear of death’ (Mohammed)

Muslim Demographics

Islam has 1.6 billion adherents, making up over 23.4% of the world population. (2010 study)

Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion by number of conversions per year. (According to the Guinness Book of Records)

Arabs constitute no more that 17% of Muslims. Actually, 7-10% of Arabs are Christians.

Muslims in Canada (2011) 1,053,945; second largest after Christianity and the fastest growing in Canada.

% of Muslims around the globe

.

Muslims In Europe

Do Muslims in general hold extremist views?

-Gallup study (2001-2007), 50,000 participants, 35 Muslim countries, the only study of its kind.

-7% held radical views, 93% did not hold radical views.

-98.16% of Muslims are against violence directed towards civilians based on this study.

What does Islam teach with respect to people of other

faiths?

“Allah does not forbid you respecting those who have not waged war against you on account of your religion, and have not driven you out of your homes, that you treat them with kindness and deal with them justly; surely Allah loves those who are Just” Quran (60:8)

What are the Islamic teachings towards non-Muslim Minorities?

"Beware!  Whoever is cruel or harsh on a non-Muslim minority; curtails their rights, burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I will stand against him on the Day of Judgment.” (Prophet Mohammed)

Under Which Circumstances Does Islam Call On Its Followers To Fight?

In Self defense “Fight in the way of Allah those who

fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors” (Quran 2:190)

Under Which Circumstances Does Islam Call On Its Followers

To Fight?To defend the oppressed “Permission to fight is given to those who have been

fought against, because they were wronged and oppressed; and indeed, God is most able to give them victory; (they are) those who have been unjustly expelled from their homes without right, for no reason except that they say, "Our Lord is God.” (Quran 22:39-40)

“And why should you not fight in the way of God and for the sake of those who are weak, ill-treated, and oppressed? Men, Women, and Children, whose only cry is, "Oh our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are tyrants, and provide for us from you one who will protect us; and raise for us from you one who will help us!” (Quran 4:75)

Under Which Circumstances Does Islam Call On Its Followers

To Fight?

To protect freedom of religion They were evicted from their homes unjustly,

for no reason other than saying, "Our Lord is GOD." If it were not for GOD's supporting of some people against others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and masjids - where the name of GOD is commemorated frequently - would have been destroyed. Absolutely, GOD supports those who support Him. GOD is Powerful, Almighty.(Quran 22:40)

Which State Does Islam Favor, War or

Peace?

“But if your enemies incline towards peace, you should also incline towards peace. And trust in God! For He is the one who hears and knows all things.” (Quran8:61)

Are Muslims allowed to commit atrocities at times of

war?

"I advise you ten things: Do not kill women or children or an aged, or weak person. Do not kill people in places of worship.." (Prophet Mohamed)

“Do not go to extremes, do not behave treacherously, mutilate their dead, or kill children” (Prophet Mohammed)

Do Muslims want to force everyone else to convert to

Islam?

“Let there be no compulsion in religion” (Quran 2:256).

“To you is your religion, and to me is mine”(Quran 109:6).

“And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve” (Quran 18:29)

Does Islam promote racism?

"No Arab has any superiority over a non Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man have any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, & Adam was created from clay” (Prophet Mohammed)

Extremists In Numbers

According to a report released in the US by Bipartisan Policy Center Homeland Security Project: 85,000-106,000 (They Included extremist groups + all groups fighting against their invasions)

Muslims around the world are 1.7 Billion. Their percentage out of the Muslim

population is 0.005%. That equates to 1 individuals out of

every 20,000.

ISIS

Who Are ISIS Origin Jamaat Al_tawhid Aw-Al-Jihad-1999 Pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda-2004 Joined insurgent groups after US invation of

Iraq to form Mujahideen Shura Council Proclaimed Islamic State In Iraq-2006 Joined Syrian Civil War-2011-named ISIS Al-Qaeda cut ties with ISIS-Feb-2014 Declared worldwide Caliphate June 2014 Claimed territory in Libya and Nigeria-2014 Some activity in Egypt, Yemen, KSA, Tunisia

ISIS

20,000-31,000 in Syria & Iraq (CIA estimate)

32,000-57,000 outside Population of occupied territory-10 million Well-funded web and social media

propaganda

Muslim World Official Stance Towards ISIS Muslim scholars declared them as

heretics, un-Islamic, and evil. Muslim scholars called on Muslims to

denounce them and fight against them. Muslim scholars called on its followers to

break away from them and warned others against joining them.

Muslim governments declared them as terrorist organization e.g. KSA, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, UAE

Muslim countries joined fight against them

Thank YouQuestions and Answers Session