
20th Century Review 3
Middle East Facts 11/6/03
Birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
First area to develop civilizations (Mesopotamia/Fertile Crescent in Iraq)
Connects Asia, Europe, and Africa
Has no clearly defined boundaries
Also known as the Near East (Europe, 1700s). Middle East came late 1800s
11/7/03
Damavan- tallest peak in Middle East
Ararat- possible location of Noah’s Ark
Mesopotamia- “land between the rivers”
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River
Home to the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea
Largest only- sand desert in world: Arabian Desert/Empty Quarter/Rub’al Khali
Signs:
- Judaism- Star of David/Mogul David. Sign of house of David (Israeli kings)
- Christianity- cross. Symbolizes victory over death
- Islam- Crescent Moon. Muhammad received 1st revelation under crescent moon.
The Balfour Declaration 11/19/03
- The Balfour Declaration of 1917 was the first significant declaration by a world power in favor of a Jewish “national home” in what was known as Palestine.
11/20/03
Balfour Decision- British government agreed in principle to a Jewish homeland in Palestine
Al Qaeda- terrorist network headed by Osama bin Laden (9/11)
Camp David Accords- 1979- Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin agree on an Israeli- Egyptian treaty- Jimmy Carter mediator
Gaza- in Israel, big Palestinian population
Golan Heights- taken from Syria by Israel 1967 during the 6- day war. Syria still wants.
Holocaust- displacement /extermination of millions of European Jews by Nazis WWII
Intifada- Palestinians trying to get Israelis to leave 1987-93 800+ killed
Kurds- Sunni Muslims living in mountains bordering Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. No recognized homeland: de facto autonomy
Oslo Accords- September 1993. Created a 5 year interim for Palestinians and withdrawal of Israelis from Palestinian West Bank. Also gave Palestinian Authority (PA) control of pars of West Bank.
Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)- Formed 1964- for the establishment of Palestinian state. Given UN observer status 1974. Uses both violent and peaceful means. Pres. Yasser Arafat.
West Bank- Formerly Palestine, big Palestinian population
Suicide bombing- Lots in Israel. Done mostly by Palestinians
Palestinian Authority- created 1993 by PLO- president Yasser Arafat (is a governing body)
Six Day War- 1967 Israel attacked June 5. Defeated Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Captured Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula (since regained by Egypt), West Bank, eastern half of Jerusalem.
Zionism- A political movement founded 1897 to establish a Jewish homeland
UN Resolution 242- Called for end to all declarations of war and a withdrawal of Israeli troops from Arab territories
Comparison of Judaism, Christianity and Islam Judaism
- Sacred language is Hebrew
- Promised land is Canaan
- God is Adonai
- Synagogue is holy building
- Saturday is holy day
- Torah is holy book
Christianity
- Holy day is Sunday
- Jesus is divine
- Triune God
- 7 Sacraments
- Ordained ministry
- No sacred language
- Holy building is church
Islam
- Sacred language is Arabic
- Holiest city is Mecca
- Final prophet is Muhammad
- Holy book is Koran (final revelation to Muhammad)
- God is called Allah
- Mosque is holy building
- Holy day is Friday
- A Hajj (pilgrimage) is required
Judaism and Christianity
- Ongoing revelation
- Believe in liturgical practice of breaking bread and sharing wine
Christianity and Islam
- Believe in salvation/damnation
- Recite creed
- Story of Jesus
Judaism and Islam
- Dietary laws
- Fasting during Yom Kippur/Ramadan
- Almsgiving
- Sacred language
Judaism Christianity and Islam
- One God (God of Abraham)
- Special relationship with God
- History of ancient Hebrews and Hebrew law
- Believe in prophets
- Divided into sects
- Prayer occurs during religious services
- Services held in holy building
- Jerusalem is a holy city
- Reading from holy book during service
Facts off Worksheets
The suffix “stan” means country/nation/land/place of
Holiest Islam cities (in descending order): Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem
Islam is the dominant religion of the Middle East
The goal of the Zionist movement was the formation of a Jewish state
The Holocaust increased sympathy for the Jews, leading to many large countries favoring the Jews over the Palestinians.
Saddam Hussein supports the Palestinians
We supported Iraq in the Iran/Iraq war (lesser of two evils)
Saudi Arabia has most of the world’s oil
OPEC- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Briton took charge of Palestine in 1917 and supported a Jewish state
Tel Aviv was the first Jewish town
Six Arab armies attacked Israel the day after Israeli independence