The Middle East in TransitionChapter 27 “TOP TENS”

Chapter 27

1. Pan Arabism

• Movement to unite all Arabs based on common language and culture

• Why? In reaction to western imperialism and westernization

• Create a world power to rival other world powers

Pan Arabism

• Obstacles to unity– Loyalty to own nation (Iraq, Syria, Egypt)– Too big geographically– Ethnic & religious rivalry– Economic gap between rich & poor nations

Pan Arabism

Differences in Governments• Republic

– People choose leaders to represent them

– Elected officials on many levels run the country

– Leader can turn into a dictator

• Monarchy– Leadership is

passed on through family lineage

– Leader can rule with advisors or alone

2. Monarchies in the Middle East

Saudi Arabia

•

Jordan

•

3. Republics in the Middle East

Egypt

IRAQ

• Officially was a republic when Hussein ruled the country

• Currently transitioning

Syria

• Republic under military regime

Turkey

Israel

Iran

4 Fundamentalism Belief that society should be

based on the principles of one’s religion, esp. a literal

interpretation of the scriptures

5. The 3 Characteristics

of Fundamentalism

1. Desire to return to the values and

traditions of their religion

2. Reaction to secularism and loss

of traditions

3. Opposition to westernization.

Western influences corrupt the society.

Westernization to Fundamentalism

• Western clothes, music, food, and cultural values conflicted with Islamic beliefs

• Countries returned to the beliefs in the Koran for laws (Sharia)

6. Sharia – Living by Islamic Law

• It is the sacred law of the Koran

• It is the official law of Saudi Arabia and Iran

Examples: Some Basic Rules of Sharia from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia

• Taking God's name before eating and drinking and using the right hand for the purpose.

• When meeting someone, saying As-Salamu Alaykum( السالم literally: peace be upon , عليكمyou) and answering with Wa alaykumus-Salam.

Some Basic Rules of Sharia from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia

• When sneezing, saying Alhamdulillah ( لله :literally ,الحمدall gratitude is for only Allah) and person who listens, should respond with Yarhamukallah (literally: God have mercy on you).

Some Basic Rules of Sharia from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia

• Sharia does not allow freedom of speech on such matters as criticism of Muhammad. Such criticism is considered blasphemy against Muhammad.

Some Basic Rules of Sharia from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia

• In accordance with the Qur’an and several hadith, theft is punished by imprisonment or amputation of hands or feet, depending on the number of times it was committed

Some Basic Rules of Sharia from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia

• Women are required to cover all of their body, except face and hands.

–Khumur – a scarf that covers the face

–Hijab – head covering

• Men have a more relaxed dress code: the loins must be covered from knee to waist.

7. Extremism

• Islamists groups that use violence

• Al Qaeda claims to be using Islam to defeat enemies

• Attacks against US & Western nations

• War on Terror

8. Population Explosion

• Rapid population growth since 1960 (nearly 3x)

• Issue b/c of scarce water/resources

9. Scarcity

• Water desalination attempts to freshen water to make more supply

• Land Reforms redistributing land to landless peasants (not entirely effective)

10. Modern Nations Emerge• Iran: 1979 Islamic Revolution Ayatollah

Islamic Republic

• Egypt: limited oil resources, limited water rely on agriculture Aswan High Dam– ? Islamic ideals vs. Westernization

• Turkey: ally of western nations, in NATO – Conflict between Turks & Kurds

                                      

Lebanon

Lebanon

Iran

                                     

Iran

Iran

Egyptian holding Koran

                                                                                                 

  

These fundamentalists allegedly bombed a German tour bus

Egypt

                                     

Osama Bin Ladin

Afghanistan

Yigal Amir