Cultural Characteristics of Cultural Characteristics of the Middle Eastthe Middle East

Jerusalem is crossroads of 3 major world religions, (left) Western “Wailing” Wall of Judaism, (center) Church of the Holy Sepulcher of Christianity and (right) Dome of the Rock of Islam.

BackgroundBackground

Arab peoples make up almost the entire Arab peoples make up almost the entire populations of Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, populations of Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, and other states of Southwest Asiaand other states of Southwest Asia. .

Arab culture has a long history and rich Arab culture has a long history and rich traditions. traditions.

Many other cultures also live in the region. Many other cultures also live in the region. Arab culture has spread across the Middle Arab culture has spread across the Middle

East and N. AfricaEast and N. Africa..

BackgroundBackground Christianity and Judaism are Christianity and Judaism are

major religions practiced in major religions practiced in Southwest AsiaSouthwest Asia. .

Most people there are Most people there are MuslimsMuslims. .

This means that This means that they they practice the religion of Islampractice the religion of Islam. .

Ninety percent of people in Ninety percent of people in the region are Muslimsthe region are Muslims..

ArabArab Arabs comprise most of Arabs comprise most of

the population of the population of Southwest Asia. Southwest Asia.

However, However, many Arabs many Arabs also live in Northern also live in Northern Africa, Canada, Europe, Africa, Canada, Europe, and the United Statesand the United States. .

Most Arabs practice Islam Most Arabs practice Islam and speak Arabicand speak Arabic. .

Small numbers of Arabs Small numbers of Arabs practice other religionspractice other religions. .

Muslim mosque interior

ArabArab Islam consists mostly of two Islam consists mostly of two

different groupsdifferent groups. . Majority practice Sunni Islam Majority practice Sunni Islam

(85 %, e.g., Saudi Arabia).(85 %, e.g., Saudi Arabia). Most others practice ShiMost others practice Shi’’ah ah

Islam (15 %, e.g., Iran, Iraq)Islam (15 %, e.g., Iran, Iraq).. Sunnis and ShiSunnis and Shi’’ah disagree ah disagree

about who is in charge of the about who is in charge of the Muslim worldMuslim world – a – a dispute over dispute over who succeeded the Islamic who succeeded the Islamic prophet Mohammad at his prophet Mohammad at his deathdeath (632 A.D.) (632 A.D.)

Holy Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, holy city of Islam

Shia’ah majorities in Iran and Iraq (brown), Sunni majorities (green).

JewishJewish Israel is home for much of the Israel is home for much of the

Jewish population in Jewish population in Southwest AsiaSouthwest Asia. .

Many of the people who live in Many of the people who live in Israel today were born there. Israel today were born there.

However, However, the ancestors of the ancestors of these people moved to Israel these people moved to Israel from many other countries, from many other countries, often from other Southwest often from other Southwest Asian countriesAsian countries. .

Much of this migration Much of this migration happened during the 20th happened during the 20th century, after the formation of century, after the formation of Israel in 1948Israel in 1948..

JewishJewish Jewish people differ in their religious Jewish people differ in their religious

beliefs, though most practice some beliefs, though most practice some form of Judaismform of Judaism. .

For example, For example, some Jews believe that some Jews believe that Jewish people who convert to another Jewish people who convert to another religion should not be considered religion should not be considered Jewish any moreJewish any more. .

The “The “Law of Return” in Israel says that Law of Return” in Israel says that a Jew from any other country can a Jew from any other country can automatically have citizenship in automatically have citizenship in IsraelIsrael..

Sometimes Jews who no longer Sometimes Jews who no longer practice Judaism have been denied practice Judaism have been denied the Law of Return.the Law of Return.

Tel Aviv, Israel’s largestcity

JewishJewish Zionism (late 1800s) is the Zionism (late 1800s) is the

ideology that Israel should be ideology that Israel should be the homeland for the worldthe homeland for the world’’s s Jews, where they can live free Jews, where they can live free of anti-Semitism and of anti-Semitism and discriminationdiscrimination..

Zionism grew from Jews’ return Zionism grew from Jews’ return to a homeland (early 20to a homeland (early 20thth century before World War II) century before World War II) that would allow them to escape that would allow them to escape anti-Semitism in Europeanti-Semitism in Europe..

The fiendishNaziHolocaust1940s

JewishJewish After the Holocaust (1940s) Zionism After the Holocaust (1940s) Zionism

was stronger than everwas stronger than ever.. But, But, Palestine (before it was Israel) Palestine (before it was Israel)

was home to Arabs toowas home to Arabs too.. Great Britain (1947), in control of Great Britain (1947), in control of

Palestine, tried to partition Arab and Palestine, tried to partition Arab and Jewish landsJewish lands, to , to create separate create separate homeland areashomeland areas. . The plan was The plan was accepted by Jews and the new accepted by Jews and the new United Nations (72%) but rejected by United Nations (72%) but rejected by Palestinian Arabs.Palestinian Arabs.

JewishJewish

Civil war broke out Civil war broke out (1948) between Arabs (1948) between Arabs and Jews. and Jews. Jews were Jews were victorious in the “War victorious in the “War of Independence”of Independence”. .

Israel is founded May, Israel is founded May, 1948, later recognized 1948, later recognized by the required 2/3 by the required 2/3 majority of the United majority of the United NationsNations.. Israel from space

Controversy of Zionism: Palestine becomes Israel (1948), expands during the Six Day War(1967) and with Jewish West Bank settlements since.

BerberBerber Another Another minority group in minority group in

the region are the Berbersthe region are the Berbers. . Most Most Berbers live in North Berbers live in North

Africa and were the first Africa and were the first group to settle that regiongroup to settle that region. .

They They still live a traditional still live a traditional way of life todayway of life today. .

Berbers have their own Berbers have their own languageslanguages. . Berber woman of North

Africa

BerberBerber Many Many Berber tribes live in the Berber tribes live in the

mountains and desertsmountains and deserts. . Most Berbers living in Most Berbers living in

mountainous areas are mountainous areas are farmersfarmers. .

Berbers who live in the Berbers who live in the desert tend to live near an desert tend to live near an oasisoasis. .

Berbers that do not farm are Berbers that do not farm are nomadicnomadic. .

BerberBerber

The The majority of majority of Berber tribes are Berber tribes are MuslimMuslim. .

Some Berbers Some Berbers practice other practice other religions, too. religions, too.

Traditional Berber Traditional Berber cuisine has stayed cuisine has stayed the same for the same for hundreds of years.hundreds of years.

Moroccan Berber carpet

BedouinBedouin Bedouins are another Bedouins are another

ethnic groupethnic group. . They They speak Arabicspeak Arabic. . Many Many Bedouin used to Bedouin used to

be nomadicbe nomadic.. Their Their most important most important

animal is the camelanimal is the camel.. Now, the Now, the Bedouin live Bedouin live

mostly in Saudi Arabia, mostly in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, and IraqSyria, Jordan, and Iraq. .

BedouinBedouin

Most Most Bedouins now live in cities and are Bedouins now live in cities and are not nomadicnot nomadic. .

Bedouin Bedouin tribes are ruled by tribal leaders tribes are ruled by tribal leaders called sheikhscalled sheikhs. Most . Most Bedouins practice Bedouins practice IslamIslam. .

The Bedouin are The Bedouin are well known for their well known for their dress and music, which is mostly sungdress and music, which is mostly sung. .

Music is used to perform traditional Music is used to perform traditional Bedouin ceremonies.Bedouin ceremonies.

Traditional Bedouin wedding procession

PersianPersian

The The Persians are an ethnic group that lived in Persians are an ethnic group that lived in Iran before the arrival of Islam in the 7th Iran before the arrival of Islam in the 7th centurycentury. .

Persians make up about half of IranPersians make up about half of Iran’’s current s current populationpopulation. .

They have their own They have their own language called Persian or language called Persian or FarsiFarsi. .

Most Persians in Iran today practice ShiMost Persians in Iran today practice Shi’’a a IslamIslam, but some are Sunni and other religions. , but some are Sunni and other religions.

PersianPersian Persian women have faced many Persian women have faced many

challenges as a result of strict challenges as a result of strict cultural and religious practices. cultural and religious practices.

Through struggle, Persian women Through struggle, Persian women have increased their personal have increased their personal freedoms over the past forty yearsfreedoms over the past forty years. .

Persian art and architecture is also Persian art and architecture is also well known. well known.

Many people consider Persian rugs Many people consider Persian rugs to be among the finest in the world.to be among the finest in the world.

Ancient Persian sculpture and Persian rugs.

KurdishKurdish Southwest Asia is also home to the Kurdish Southwest Asia is also home to the Kurdish

peoplepeople. . The The Kurds live in several countries Kurds live in several countries

throughout the region. throughout the region. These include These include Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran.

Almost one-fifth of the population of Turkey Almost one-fifth of the population of Turkey is Kurdishis Kurdish..

Kurdish religion used to be made up of a Kurdish religion used to be made up of a mixture of several different religions, but mixture of several different religions, but most are Sunni Muslim.most are Sunni Muslim.

Map of Kurdistan, flag and Turkish Kurd protesters before Turkish invasion ofN. Iraq

KurdishKurdish

Most Kurds today are MuslimsMost Kurds today are Muslims. . Kurdish Muslims are usually less strict Kurdish Muslims are usually less strict

about certain Islamic practicesabout certain Islamic practices. . There are There are fewer laws for how Kurdish fewer laws for how Kurdish

women should dress than there are for women should dress than there are for Iranian and Arab womenIranian and Arab women. .

Kurds share many aspects of their culture Kurds share many aspects of their culture with Iranianswith Iranians, , a country where several livea country where several live..

TurkishTurkish

The The Turks are an ethnic group based on Turks are an ethnic group based on language - Turkishlanguage - Turkish. .

They They live mostly in Turkey and Iranlive mostly in Turkey and Iran. . Most of the people who live in Turkey are Most of the people who live in Turkey are

of Turkish descent. of Turkish descent. Most Turks practice some form of Islam. Most Turks practice some form of Islam. Like Kurds, Turkish people are rarely Like Kurds, Turkish people are rarely

strict about some Islamic practicesstrict about some Islamic practices. .

Turkey is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia

TurkishTurkish However, However, Kurds and Turks in Turkey often fight Kurds and Turks in Turkey often fight

over issues not related to religionover issues not related to religion. . For example, For example, education is a controversial issue education is a controversial issue

between these two groups. Today, the most between these two groups. Today, the most pressing issue is Kurdish nationalism in pressing issue is Kurdish nationalism in TurkeyTurkey. .

The Turkish people are well known for their The Turkish people are well known for their architecture. architecture.

Mosques in Turkey are a good example of Mosques in Turkey are a good example of Turkish architecture.Turkish architecture.

Literacy and DevelopmentLiteracy and Development Education is free in many Education is free in many

countries in Southwest Asiacountries in Southwest Asia. . Many students are required Many students are required

to attend school through to attend school through high schoolhigh school. .

Many students also live so Many students also live so far from the schools that far from the schools that getting to school is difficult.getting to school is difficult.

The The literacy rates for people literacy rates for people over 15 years of age areover 15 years of age are……

Literacy RatesLiteracy Rates Afghanistan = 28% (m 43%, f 13%)Afghanistan = 28% (m 43%, f 13%) Egypt = 71.4% (m 83%, f 59%)Egypt = 71.4% (m 83%, f 59%) Iran = 77% (m 84%, f 70 %)Iran = 77% (m 84%, f 70 %) Iraq = 74% (m 84%, f 64%)Iraq = 74% (m 84%, f 64%) Kuwait = 93% (m 94%, f 91%)Kuwait = 93% (m 94%, f 91%) Saudi Arabia = 78% (m 85%, f 71%)Saudi Arabia = 78% (m 85%, f 71%) Yemen = 50% (m 71%, f 30%)Yemen = 50% (m 71%, f 30%) Pakistan = 50% (m 63%, f 36%)Pakistan = 50% (m 63%, f 36%) Israel = 97% (m 99%, f 96%)Israel = 97% (m 99%, f 96%) U.S.A. = 99% (m 99%, f 99%)U.S.A. = 99% (m 99%, f 99%) Norway = 100% (m 100%, f 100%)Norway = 100% (m 100%, f 100%)

Source: CIA World Fact Book, 2010

Literacy and DevelopmentLiteracy and Development The The literacy rates in Israel are literacy rates in Israel are

higher than in other Southwest higher than in other Southwest Asian countriesAsian countries. .

In all of these countries, In all of these countries, more men more men tend to be able to read and write tend to be able to read and write than womenthan women. .

This is This is especially true in Syria, Iran, especially true in Syria, Iran, and Saudi Arabiaand Saudi Arabia. .

Overall, in Overall, in some countries womensome countries women’’s s education is not valued as much as education is not valued as much as menmen’’s educations education. .

Literacy and DevelopmentLiteracy and Development Women receive a different Women receive a different

education than men in some areas. education than men in some areas. Literacy has a large impact on a Literacy has a large impact on a

countrycountry’’s developments development.. For example, For example, an increase in the an increase in the

literacy rate often leads to an literacy rate often leads to an increase in individual rights, increase in individual rights, societal self-determination societal self-determination (democracy).(democracy).

Literacy rates also have an impact Literacy rates also have an impact on a countryon a country’’s economys economy..

Iranian woman, where education for women is common, protests a 2009 election