Term
| What type of lifestyle is prevalent in areas where agriculture is difficult? |
|
Definition
| Bedouin, or nomadic tribal lifestyle. |
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Term
| What are the three major rivers in the Middle East, and what is their significance? |
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Definition
| The Nile, Tigress, & Euphrates Rivers. These areas were where the birth of agriculture occurred, and therefore where irrigation systems and underground canals were also created. |
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Term
| In what year did Iran cease to be a monarchy? |
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Definition
| 1979, today it is an Islamic Republic. |
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Term
| What religion was most prevalent in Iran before Islam? |
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Definition
|
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Term
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Definition
| Prevalent in Iran before Islam, one of the first monotheistic religions. Zoroastr never claimed to be a prophet, but he developed a following with his ideas of heaven and hell, etc. |
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Term
| What emperor gave democracy to Iran for a time? |
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Definition
|
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Term
Where in history has cultural fusion occurred within Iranian society? |
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Definition
Cultural fusion occurred during the wars between Persia and Greece, eventually Greece conquered Iran during the time of Alexander the Great, and more intermixing occurred. Also during the war between the Persian (Sassanid era) and the Romans, near the time of Christ, much of the Iranian borders were in contact with Roman culture. |
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Term
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Definition
| A cult that developed in Persia during the wars with the Romans, it became popular amonst soldiers. |
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Term
| What are the other terms used for 'east' and 'west' as it refers to the halves of the world? |
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Definition
|
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Term
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Definition
| Orientalism is the western way of thinking, perception, about the east (including the middle east). |
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Term
| Name some items/words that originate from middle east but are common in western society? |
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Definition
| Pajamas, sandals, sofa, ottoman, yogurt, syrup, etc. |
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Term
Give some characteristics of the Bedouin nomads. |
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Definition
| They migrate through the mountains of Arabia, searching for water and pasture for their animals, mainly camels and goats. Women have more freedom than in other muslim areas. Hospitality is their greatest virtue, sheiks rule the tribe. |
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Term
| What are the Arab virtues? |
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Definition
Bravery in battle Patience in misfortune Persistence in revenge Protection of the weak Defiance toward the strong Generosity to the poor Loyalty to the tribe Hospitality to the visitor Fidelity in keeping promises
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Term
| What are the three ways of life in middle eastern culture? |
|
Definition
Bedouin: tribal, nomadic Rural: village, agrarian Urban: city life
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Term
| What is the arabic word for "the virtues, the spirit that embodies them"? |
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Definition
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Term
How has the muruwah been spread through middle eastern society? |
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Definition
| The main channel for the muruwah (virtues) is through the art of poetry, inherited through the generations. Important because many cannot read or write. |
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Term
| When is the birthday of Mohamed? What famous year is it said to have occurred? |
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Definition
| Around the year 570 CE, when Ethopia invaded Mecca with many elephants. It is said that birds dropped stones on the Ethopians, they developed smallpox and died. This is called the year of the elephant. |
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Term
| What modern day country was Mohamed from? |
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Definition
|
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Term
| Describe the order of relatives whom Mohamed was raised by. |
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Definition
| Mohamed's father died before he was born, his mother died before he was 6 years old. His grandfather raised him, sending him to live with the Bedouin. When his grandfather died his uncle, Abu-Talib, a merchant and community leader took charge of him. |
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Term
| What clan did Mohamed arise from? |
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Definition
| The Hashemite clan, of the ruling Quraysh clan. |
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Term
| At what age did Mohamed become the 'prophet' and how did this occur? |
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Definition
| At the age of 40, during the month of Ramadan, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mohamed, and told him that he was a messenger of God. |
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Term
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Definition
| Assembled after the death of Mohamed, a collection of the revelations of God to Mohamed, believed by Muslims to be the actual word of God. |
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Term
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Definition
| The act of submission to the will of God. They say that everything in nature has its own Islam. Also the term used for the religion itself. |
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Term
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Definition
Technically, one who submits to the will of God. A follower of Mohamed. |
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Term
| What are the five pillars of Islam? |
|
Definition
Witness (Shahadah) Worship (Salat) Fasting (Sawm) Tithing (Zakat) Pilgrimage (Hajj)
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|
|
Term
| What is Shahadah (witness)? |
|
Definition
| Pillar of Islam; the testimony that there is no God but Allah and Mohamed is his prophet. What makes a Muslim a Muslim. If you stop believing, i.e. giving witness, this is apostasy, which you may be killed for. |
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Term
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Definition
Pillar of Islam; also known as ritual prayer with certain posturing and sayings. Occurs before sunrise, at noon, in the afternoon, before sunset, and after sunset. Must be performed facing toward Mecca. |
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Term
|
Definition
| Pillar of Islam; during the month of Ramadan, fasting from dawn until dusk. Fasting from eating, drinking, smoking, and sex. The nights are filled with festivities, extra prayer and reflection occur during this month. |
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Term
|
Definition
| Pillar of Islam; money or property that goes to help the poor. The giving of alms, often Islamic countries levy it as a tax. |
|
|
Term
| What is Hajj (pilgrimage)? |
|
Definition
| Pillar of Islam; every Muslim, if they are healthy enough and possess the resources, should make at least one trip to Mecca during their lifetime, or every year during the 12th month of their calendar if able. |
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Term
| What is often referred to as the sixth Pillar of Islam? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| What is Jihad (holy war)? |
|
Definition
Sometimes considered a pillar of Islam, holy war is often associated with militant Islamic fundamentalists, terrorists. However, it technically refers to the "struggle" in the way of God, a struggle from within. It is a cleansing of error, pride, and forgetfulness. |
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Term
| According to the Koran, what groups of people would not technically be considered infidels? |
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Definition
| Christians and Jews are "people of the book" and so are not actually considered infidels, like pagans. |
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Term
| What are some examples of things/practice forbidden to Muslims? |
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Definition
| Alcohol, along with all mind affecting drugs, eating of pigs, sex outside of marriage or for reasons other than procreation. |
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Term
| What are the cleanliness practices of Muslims? |
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Definition
| In wudu they must wash themselves before ritual prayer and handling the Koran. In addition, they must wash themselves after touching anything unclean, full immersion afer sex, menstruation, child birth. |
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Term
| What occurred in the leadership of Islam after Mohamed's death? |
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Definition
| Mohamed had chosen no successor, which led to chaos within the community, especially those forced into Islam. Abu Bakr , an older man, was Mohamed's replacement, and the first Calif. |
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|
Term
| What year did Mohamed die? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Successor of God's Messenger |
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|
Term
| Who were the four Kalifeh in order of their rule? |
|
Definition
| Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. |
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Term
| How long did Abu Bakr rule? |
|
Definition
| From Mohamed's death in 632 until Bakr's own death in 634 CE. |
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Term
| Describe the rule of Umar. |
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Definition
| A stubborn individual. He granted amnesty to the tribes for a time. In power from 634-644, during which the kingdom expanded. The Bedouin were allowed to take booty from resistors, which kept them in the faith. |
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Term
| Describe the rule of Uthman. |
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Definition
| Took power after Umar, ruled from 644-656, expansion continued under his rule. He began to assign his own clansmen to powerful positions, and was assasinated. |
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Term
| Describe the rule of Ali. |
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Definition
| Ali was the successor of Uthman, and ruled from 656-611 CE. He was the cousin and son-in-law of Mohamed. Many disagreed with his rule, these became the Sunni Muslims, his followers were the Shia Muslims. |
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Term
| Why was it so difficult to pick a successor of Mohamed? |
|
Definition
| Because Mohamed had no sons. |
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Term
What countries, other than Iran, were part of the Persian empire during the conflict with the Roman empire? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| How did the conflict between the Persian and Byzantine Empires allow for Islam to expand? |
|
Definition
| They were always fighting in the lands, taxing the peasants, taking their sons for war, etc. Therefore when the Caliphate and the Muslim Empire came they were met with little resistance from the already weakened lands. |
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Term
| When was the last Kalifeh, and how did he die? |
|
Definition
He was executed in 1258 CE by the Mongols during the invasion of the Muslim Empire. |
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|
Term
| What dynasty took over after the death of Ali? |
|
Definition
| The Umayyad dynasty, which lasted from 661-750 CE. |
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|
Term
| What dynasty was known as the "golden era" ? |
|
Definition
| The Abbasid Dynasty, which ruled from 750 to 1238 when the last Califeh was executed by Mongols. |
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Term
| What are the two main dynasties of the Islamic Empire? |
|
Definition
| The Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties. |
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Term
|
Definition
| Islamic law, as dictated by the Koran and the Hadith. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A collection of the sayings and practices of Mohamed. |
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Term
| What are the countries in the middle east? (all of them) |
|
Definition
Bahrain Cyprus Egypt Iran Iraq Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Libya Omar Qatar Saudi Arabia Sudan Syria Turkey United Arab Emirates Yemen
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Term
| Describe Bahrain in general. |
|
Definition
| Very small (240 sq. miles), population of 670,000. Speak Arabic and Farsi, slightly more Shia than Sunni Muslims. Constitutional monarchy for government. |
|
|
Term
| Describe Cyprus in general. |
|
Definition
| Relatively small country, presidential democracy. Capital is Nicosia. Mainly Greeks who are Greek Orthodox, high literacy rate. |
|
|
Term
| What type of government does Iran currently have? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the capital of Iran? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are the major languages of Iran? |
|
Definition
| Mainly Farsi, but also Azeri, Gilaki, Baluchi, Kurdish, and Arabic. |
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|
Term
| What are the three major countries in the middle east, according to population? |
|
Definition
| Egypt, Iran, and Turkey all have approximately 70 million people each. |
|
|
Term
| What type of government does Egypt possess? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the capital of Egypt? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are the major languages of Egypt? |
|
Definition
| Arabic, French, English, and Berber. |
|
|
Term
| What are the major religions of Egypt? |
|
Definition
| Mostly Sunni Muslim, some christian and others (6%). |
|
|
Term
| What is the ethnic mixture of Egypt? |
|
Definition
| Mainly Eastern Hamitic (90%), others are Nubian, Armenian, Greek. |
|
|
Term
| What is the approximate size of Egypt? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the government form of Iraq? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
What is the approximate population of Iraq? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are the main languages of Iraq? |
|
Definition
| Arabic, Kurdish, Armenian, Assyrian, and Turkish. |
|
|
Term
| What is the percentage of Shia to Sunni Muslims in Iraq? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the ethnic mixture of Iraq? |
|
Definition
| Mainly Arabs, the rest are Kurdish, Persian, and Turkish. |
|
|
Term
| When was Israel formed, and how did its creation come about? |
|
Definition
| Formed in 1948, established by Zionists who believed they had a right to the land, aided by Britain. |
|
|
Term
| What form of government does Israel have? |
|
Definition
| A parlimentary democracy. |
|
|
Term
| What is the population of Israel? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are the major languages of Israel? |
|
Definition
| Hebrew, Arabic, Yiddish, also German, Russian, Polish, Romanian, and Persian. |
|
|
Term
| What are the major religions of Israel? |
|
Definition
| Mainly they are Jewish, but also Muslim. 82% Jews, 82% Jewish. |
|
|
Term
What is the title of the country of Jordan? |
|
Definition
| "The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan" |
|
|
Term
| What type of government does Jordan have? |
|
Definition
| A constitutional/absolute monarchy. |
|
|
Term
| What is the capital of Jordan? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the primary language of Jordan? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the religious break down of Jordan? |
|
Definition
| Mainly Sunni Muslim, others are mainly Christian. |
|
|
Term
| What is the average population of Jo |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the approximate size of Jordan? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the ethnic mixture of Jordan? |
|
Definition
| Almost all are Arabs, a small percentage are Armenian. |
|
|
Term
| What type of government does Kuwait have? |
|
Definition
A constitutional monarchy. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Solely for the production and distribution of oil. |
|
|
Term
| What are the two major languages of Kuwait? |
|
Definition
| Arabic and English, due to oil. |
|
|
Term
| What is the capital of Lebanon? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the population of Lebanon? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What type of government does Lebanon have? |
|
Definition
| A multiple party republic |
|
|
Term
| What is the ethnic mixture of Lebanon? |
|
Definition
| Mainly Arabic, some Armenian |
|
|
Term
| What are the major languages of Lebanon? |
|
Definition
| Arabic, French, Armenian, Assyrian. |
|
|
Term
| What is the capital of Libya? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the population of Libya? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the religious and ethnic breakdown of Libya? |
|
Definition
| 96% Sunni Muslim, who are Arabs. Some Berber also |
|
|
Term
What type of government does Libya have? |
|
Definition
| The great socialist republic |
|
|
Term
| What is the history of Libya? |
|
Definition
| It is a former French colony, formed in 1951. |
|
|
Term
| What is the Capital of Oman? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the population of Oman? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What type of Muslim makes of 75% of Oman's religious? |
|
Definition
| Ibadi muslim. The rest are mainly sunni Muslims |
|
|
Term
| What is the government structure of Oman? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the capital of Qatar? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the population of Qatar? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the general religious and ethnic breakdown of Qatar? |
|
Definition
| Mainly Muslim, therefore language is Arabic. Others are Indian and Iranian, leading to Persian and Hindi languages. |
|
|
Term
| What type of government does Qatar have? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the capital of Saudi Arabia? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the approximate size of Saudi Arabia? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the approx. population of Saudi Arabia? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the form of governent for Saudi Arabia? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
What is the religious breakdown of Saudi Arabia? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the capital of the United Arab Emirates? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the ethnic mixture of the Emirates? |
|
Definition
60% Asian, then Amarian, Arabs, and Europeans |
|
|
Term
| What is the only ME country in the process of being entered into the European Union? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the religious breakdown of the Sudan? |
|
Definition
| Mainly Sunni Muslim, some animist. |
|
|
Term
| What is the capital of Turkey? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are the major languages of Turkey? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the major religion of Turkey? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the capital of Syria? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the capital of Yemen? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What form of government does Yemen? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the population of Yemen? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are the major languages of Yemen? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the religious breakdown of Yemen? |
|
Definition
| Nearly the same amount of Sunni and Shia muslims, slight Sunni majority |
|
|
Term
| What is the largest country in the Middle East? |
|
Definition
| The Sudan, at 967,000 square miles. |
|
|
Term
What is the approximate area of the entire middle east? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are some of the ways that Arab society has been in flux, towards which differing poles? |
|
Definition
past versus future traditionalist versus modernists east versus west sacred versus secular ethnicity versus class solidarity unity versus fragmentation
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|
|
Term
| What is social complimentarity as it relates to the Arab world? |
|
Definition
| The Arab World constitutes a single society rather than a disparate collection of separate states. |
|
|
Term
| What is one of the major fallacies in Orientalist thinking? |
|
Definition
| The tendency among orientalists to speak both of the mosaic nature of muslim society and of the existence of unifying mentality, one arab mind. Without any awareness between the paradox of this. |
|
|
Term
| What are the nature of relationships in primary groups? |
|
Definition
| Non-contractual, intimate, informal, personal, extensive, comprehensive. |
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