Muslim Countries

Ms. MitchellCultural RevolutionsAndover High School

Table of Contents Iran Afghanistan Turkey Syria Iraq Saudi Arabia Pakistan

Iran

Geography and People Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and

the Caspian Sea. Between Iraq and Pakistan Slightly smaller than Alaska Periodic droughts, floods, dust storms, sandstorms, and

earthquakes 98% Muslim (89% Shia and 9% Sunni) Median age of citizens is 27.4 years old 77% literate School life expectancy: 13 years

Government Islamic Republic/Theocratic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-Khamenei (Chief of State) President Hasan Fereidun Ruhani (Head of

Government) President is elected by popular vote Eligible for two consecutive four year terms and a non

consecutive term Religious Legal System, Sharia Law Universal suffrage at 18 years old

Economy Economy is reliant on oil; provides the majority of

revenues Double-Digit Unemployment and Underemployment

Underemployment of young persons has resulted in a “brain drain”

15.3% (2011) unemployment

Brief History Called Persia until 1935 (many American-Iranians, or

Iranians living in America, still refer to themselves as Persians)

Iranian Revolution in 1979 Overthrowing of the Pahlavi dynasty under Shah

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Replacement with Islamic Republic under Ayatolla

Ruhollah Khomeini (leader of the revolution) The Pahlavi dynasty was highly westernized and

replaced Islamic laws with western ones. The pendulum swung the other way when the Ayatolla Khomeini came to power

Westernized Islamic

Pahlavi Dynasty Islamic RevolutionToday?

IRAN on the spectrum

US Relations Iran Hostage Crisis

52 American Diplomats held hostage for 444 days (over a year)

Iranian youths take over American Embassy and take hostages

Do not maintain diplomatic relations but this is slowly changing thanks to the President Ruhani

Mixed reactions from US and Iranian citizens to this change

Issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program

Women in Iran 1979-1990 (Since the Revolution…)

Islamic dress codes Barred from becoming judges Sex-segregation in sports and at the beach Marriage age reduced to 9 (later raised to 13) Married women cannot attend school regularly “Virginity tests” Women caught disobeying dress codes subject up to

70 lashes or 60 days imprisonment

Women in Iran 1990—Present Day

Increase in education and women in the work force Allowed to participate in sports Abortions allowed in very select circumstances “Stop Stoning Forever” campaign “One Million Signatures” campaign

CensorshipThe highly religious faction within the government works to censor public statements and images coming into and out of Iran that it deems harmful to the Islamic integrity of the country.

For example… FARS News Agency Censorship

Present Problems Facing the Region

Sex Trafficking of men, women, and children Heroin trade route from Asia to Europe

One of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world Refugees from Afghanistan and Iraq Relations with Israel Nuclear Weapons

2005 UN Security Council imposed sanctions against Iran

US determined in 2009 that Iran could likely not develop nuclear weapons until 2013

Afghanistan

Geography and People Landlocked. Slightly smaller than Texas Major issue facing the country is a lack of fresh, drinkable

water, coupled with overgrazing and desertification. The result is little water to drink or farm and an inability to produce enough food.

Kabul = capital 99% Muslim (80 Sunni/ 19% Shite) 97.6% of population under age 65 28.1% literacy rate and schooling expectancy of 7-11

years (female/male)

Government & Economy Universal suffrage at age 18 Mixed legal system of customary, civil, and Islamic

law Democratically elected president for 5 year term,

option for a second term Current president is Hamid Karzai, term is up in 2014

Pressures on the government: religious groups, tribal leaders, ethnically based groups, and the Taliban

One of the lowest living standards in the world

Brief History Founded in 1747 Won independence from Britain in 1919 Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the

Communist regime Soviet Union withdrew in 1989 after attacks and

pressures from anti-Communist mujahedin rebels US covertly supported the mujahedin (moo-jah-deen)

Fell to the Taliban in 1996

Brief History, cntd. After 2001 terrorist attacks on America, a US, Allied,

and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban

Adoption of new constitution and National Assembly in 2004. Islamic Republic.

2005—Hamid Karzai first democratically president of Afghanistan

2009—Karzai re-elected

US War in Afghanistan October 2001: Military campaign against targeted terrorist

facilities and Taliban military/political assets Operation Enduring Freedom

November 2001: Kabul fell Many Taliban leaders fled to Pakistan December 2001: International Security Assistance Force

founded by UN Security Council to secure Kabul and surrounding areas

2003—present: Taliban insurgents campaign against Islamic Republic and the presence of ISAF troops

May 2012—NATO approves withdrawal plan

US Relations May 2012: US and Afghanistan sign Enduring

Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America 10 year partnership demonstrating US’ commitment to

strengthen Afghanistan’s sovereignty, stability and prosperity

Continued cooperation to defeat al-Qaida and its affiliates

Major Non-NATO Ally Maintaining of embassies

Soviet War December 1979-1989 Soviet-led Afghan forces against insurgent groups referred to as the

Mujahedeen Soviet-Communist government influence in Afghanistan vs. Islamic

tribes Mujahedeen received training and support from the United States,

United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and other countries Millions of Afghans fled the country. Currently Afghan refugees make

up the largest group of refugees in the world. About 1 million Afghan citizens killed in the war. Charlie Wilson, TX Congressman was key in persuading the US

government to help fund and arm the mujahedeen.

These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world…and then we fucked up the endgame.

--Charlie Wilson

The Taliban and al-Qaeda

Taliban Formed by Mulla Mohammad Omar “Talib” is arabic for “student” Originally composed primarily of very

conservative students Belief in Sharia law Ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 and is

returning Regulated to specific areas and territories Political group Many members were raised in refugee

camps, orphaned by earlier conflicts, or grew up poor

NOT responsible for 9/11

Al-Qaeda Founded by Osama bin Laden Al-Qaeda means “base” Dominated by Sunni Muslims who

practice Wahabism, considered to be the most extreme form of Islam

Wants to establish Islamic rule and thinks all governments should be replaced by Islamic leaders

No boundaries Terrorist group Members are often from wealthy families

and are highly educated Responsible for 9/11

Turkey

Stuck Between East and West

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

First President of the Republic of Turkey

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Rose to power after WWI. Was a military hero at the Battle of Gallipoli—the

only Ottoman victory against Allied forces 1919 National liberation struggle 1923 Republic of Turkey First president of the Republic President for 15 years, until his death in 1938

Religious to Secular Ottoman Empire was a theocracy, ruled by a sultan

since 1571 Ataturk ordered the National Assembly to turn to a

secular state Moved the capital to Ankara

Ataturk’s Reforms Outlawed the fez Banned the veil Allowed women to vote and hold office Banned polygamy Religion of state no longer Islam Muslim calendar replaced by European Latin letters replaced Arabic characters Qur’an translated to Turkish

Dragging Turkey to the Modern World

Replaced Sharia (Islamic) Law with secular civil code Converted state owned factories into private Established a rail network Instituted education reforms. Literacy rates rose from

20% to 90%

“For the people, in spite of the people”

Ataturk’s Slogan

Continued Tensions Kemalists (secularists) fear democracy will allow

religion to rule the state again. Islamists do not want government to overrule Muslim

religion. Turkish people feel they have to choose between

their religion and their government.

The Veil Today Despite the ban, there was a rise of women wearing

head scarves in schools in the 1970s and 1980s. 1984: First widespread application of the ban came into

effect. 1997: Laws interpreted to be applied to all educational

institutions—not just state owned. All universities must comply.

2000: Nuray Bezirgan, wore a veil during her final exams in university. Sentenced to six months in ail for “obstructing the education of others.” European Court of Human Rights has upheld the ban several times.

Veil, continued Prime Minister Erdogan won a Parliamentary campaign in

2007 with the promise to end the ban. Feb. 2008: Turkish Parliament passed an amendment to the

constitution allowing women to wear the headscarf in university

June 2008: Turkish Constitutional Court overrules/annuls the amendment citing it as a violation of the founding principles of the constitution. This decision cannot be appealed.

2010: Headscarves informally permitted. Educational institutions won’t take action against women wearing the veil but still look down upon it.

Turkey and the European Union

Applied for admission In a long limbo, waiting to find out Might be up to 10 years before the application is approved

(2015) Many perks for Turkey such as open borders, financial aid,

etc. All EU participants must unanimously vote to admit Turkey Not looking great as of December 2011 (71% against

admission)

Turkey and the EUPro

Key regional power, large economy, second largest military force of NATO

Key geographic location for access to resources

Sweden, UK

Cons “Too far” outside Europe Enlargement Issues—if

they let Turkey in, who’s next?

Austria, Germany, France

Syria

Geography and People Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea Bordered by Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan Slightly larger than North Dakota Arabic is the official language Sunni Muslim is the official religion (74%) and other Muslim

sects comprise 16% of the population 61.6% between the ages of 15-64, median age is 22.3 years 79.6% of the population is literate 19.1% unemployment among persons 15-24 years of age

Government According to the CIA the government is a “republic

under an authoritarian regime” Capital: Damascus Mixed legal system: civil and Islamic law Universal suffrage at 18 Chief of State: President Bashar al-Asad.

Elected in 2000 and then approved for a second 7-year term (no term limits). Was last approved for another term in 2007, with 97.6% of the vote.

Background Gained independence from France in 1946 Series of military coups Joins forces with Egypt in 1958 and briefly the two

exist as the United Arab Republic UAR splits in 1961 and Syria is reestablished 1970 Hafiz al-Asad takes power in a bloodless coup. Following his death in 2000, his son, Bashar al-Asad

takes over power and is “officially” deemed president by a national referendum

US Relations Economic sanctions began in late 2011 No longer maintain an embassy (effective Feb. 2012) Patriot missiles and US troops in Turkey Threats re: chemical weapons Journalists kidnapped

Civil War Influenced by major uprisings that began elsewhere in

the region (Arab Spring), antigovernment protests broke out in the southern province of Dar'a in March 2011

Protesters are calling for: the repeal of the restrictive Emergency Law allowing

arrests without charge, the legalization of political parties, and the removal of corrupt local officials.

Government repeal of the Emergency Law and approval of new laws permitting new political parties and liberalizing local and national elections - and force.

Civil War continued Asad will not step down Increase in violence In late 2011 the Arab League, EU, Turkey, and the United States have

expanded economic sanctions against the regime October 2012: Lakhdar BRAHIMI, current Joint Special Representative of

the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis began meeting with regional heads of state to assist in bringing about a cease-fire.

December 2012: fear of sarin gas attacks. Death toll topped 6,000 in the months of February and March 2013 alone Sec. of State John Kerry said on Feb. 14th, 2013 he believes the death toll

for the conflict as a whole has likely reached 90,000

Iraq

Saudi Arabia

Pakistan