Cultural Cultural Characteristics of the Characteristics of the

Middle EastMiddle East

77thth Grade TAG Social Studies Grade TAG Social Studies

BackgroundBackground

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

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

Arabs are the largest ethnic group in the Arabs are the largest ethnic group in the Middle East, but many other cultures also Middle East, but many other cultures also live in the region. live in the region.

BackgroundBackground

Christianity and Judaism are major Christianity and Judaism are major religions practiced in Southwest Asia. religions practiced in Southwest Asia.

Most people in the Middle East are Most people in the Middle East are Muslims. Muslims.

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

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

TurkishTurkish

The Turks are an ethnic group based on The Turks are an ethnic group based on language—Turkish. language—Turkish.

They live mostly in Turkey and Iran. They live 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 strict Like Kurds, Turkish people are rarely strict

about some Islamic practices. about some Islamic practices.

TurkishTurkish

Both Kurds and Turks live in Turkey and Both Kurds and Turks live in Turkey and often fight over issues not related to often fight over issues not related to religion - for example, education is a religion - for example, education is a controversial issue between these two controversial issue between these two groups. groups.

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

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

ArabArab

Arabs comprise most of the population of Arabs comprise most of the population of Southwest Asia. Southwest Asia.

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

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

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

ArabArab

Islam consists mostly of two different Islam consists mostly of two different groups. groups.

The majority of Muslims practice Sunni The majority of Muslims practice Sunni Islam. Islam.

Most others practice Shi’a Islam. Most others practice Shi’a Islam. Sunnis and Shi’a disagree about who is in Sunnis and Shi’a disagree about who is in

charge of the Muslim world.charge of the Muslim world.

PersianPersian

• Persians live in the modern country of Iran.

• Persia became known as Iran after World War I.

• Descended from a different group than people who are Arabs or Jews.

• Ancestors were Indo-Europeans from Central Europe and Southern Russia.

PersianPersian

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

Persians make up about half of Iran’s current Persians make up about half of Iran’s current population. population.

They have their own language called Farsi. They have their own language called Farsi. Most Persians in Iran today practice Shi’a Islam, Most Persians in Iran today practice Shi’a Islam,

but some are Sunni and other religions. but some are Sunni and other religions.

PersianPersian

Persian women have faced many challenges as Persian women have faced many challenges as a result of strict cultural and religious practices. a result of strict cultural and religious practices.

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

Persian art and architecture is well known. Persian art and architecture is well known. Many people consider Persian rugs to be among Many people consider Persian rugs to be among

the finest in the world.the finest in the world.

KurdsKurds

•Ethnic Group (Kurds)- live in mountain regions of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.

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

•Speak Kurdish

•Do not have their own homeland or government

•They are a minority group ruled by the government of the country in which they live

Orange signifies Kurdish PopulationOrange signifies Kurdish Population

KurdsKurds

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

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

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

Kurds share many aspects of their culture Kurds share many aspects of their culture with Iranians.with Iranians.