The document provides an overview of religion, politics, and oil in Southwest Asia. It discusses the spread of Islam across the Arabian Peninsula and the three major monotheistic religions that originated in the region - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It describes the tensions between Israel and neighboring Arab countries over claims to the holy city of Jerusalem. The document also outlines the rise of fundamentalist groups like the Taliban in Afghanistan and their strict rules, especially oppressive ones limiting women's freedoms.

1. Chapter 22 Notes- Human
Geography of Southwest Asia
Religion, Politics, & Oil

2. Section 1: The Arabian Peninsula
Islam- based on the teachings of Muhammad.
Monotheistic
Mosque- place of worship
All Muslims (followers of Islam) perform the 5
pillars.

3. Faith
“There is no God but Allah, and
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
• all believers believe in this statement of faith

4. Prayer
Muslims face toward Mecca and pray
five times a day
• may be done in a mosque or elsewhere

5. Charity (Alms or Giving)
responsible to support less fortunate by
giving money

6. Fasting
During Islamic holy month of Ramadan,
Muslims do not eat or drink anything
between sunrise and sunset.
This reminds Muslims that there are more
important things in life than food.
Seen as sign of humility and self-control.

7. Pilgrimage
Muslims are expected to make a pilgrimage
to Mecca at least once during their lifetime
Called the Hajj

8. Hajj (Pilgrimage)

9. Spread of
Many people on Arabian Peninsula
began to convert to Islam
• spread religion
• Muslims became leaders of conquered lands
• Arabic language spread across lands
(Asia, Africa, and Europe)

10. Types of Islam
Two main branches of Islam
Sunni Muslim- 83% of all
Muslims
Shi’ite Muslim (mostly in Iran)

11. Section 1: The Arabian
Peninsula
Theocratic- religious leaders control the
government.
many of the governments in the region are
this

12. Section 1: The Arabian
Peninsula
Arabic Women-
Most cover themselves from head to toe in a burqa (Arabic
covering)
• Modesty & being covered is believed to be pleasing to god.

13. Section 2: The Eastern
Mediterranean
3 major religions were all started
in Southwest Asia
Judaism, Christianity, & Islam
All 3 claim Jerusalem as a holy city.

14. Judaism
Established 3,200 years ago.
Basic laws and teachings come
from the Torah.
Jerusalem is the religious center
of Judaism.

15. Jews and the Holy Land
Torah establishes claim to
Holy Land
Jerusalem is holiest Jewish
city
Believe Holy Land was gift
from God to Abraham and
Lot
King David brought ark
containing original Torah
here
Site of King Solomon's

16. Section 2:The Eastern Mediterranean
The Western Wall
Holiest site of Judaism - Western Wall (Wailing Wall)
Whole area is known as the Temple Mount
• First Temple built by King Solomon then destroyed
• Temple was rebuilt
• Second Temple destroyed by the Romans
• Only piece left standing is known as the Western Wall
• No Jewish temple on site since 70 A.D.

17. Western Wall
a.k.a. the Wailing Wall
considered the holiest site in Israel
part of an ancient Temple of Solomon

18. Christianity
Evolved 2,000 years ago from Judaism
Based on teaching of Jesus Christ, who Christians
believe to be the son of God.
Teachings recorded in the Bible.
Spread from Jerusalem

19. Christians and the Holy Land
Christians cherish
Jerusalem as the site of
Jesus’ life, death and
resurrection
Home to original cross
and stone of Christ’s
tomb
Site of sacred Church of
the Holy Sepulcher
Holds variety of Christian
shrines

20. Islam
Established around 613 A.D.
Based on teachings of prophet
Muhammad
Has close ties to the prophets and
teachers of Judaism and Christianity
Holy book is the Qur’an.
Two major sects are Sunni and Shiite.

21. Muslims and the Holy Land
Qur’an establishes claim that
both Jews and Arabs are people
of Abraham
Islam claims Jerusalem as 3rd
most holy city behind Mecca &
Medina
Dome of the Rock- spot where
Muslims believe the Prophet
Muhammad rose into heaven
Next to Western Wall
Site of frequent clashes between
Muslims & Jews

22. Section 2: The Eastern
Mediterranean
After WW1 Britain controlled
Palestine
Zionism- goal of the creation &
support of a Jewish homeland in
Palestine

24. Section 2: The Eastern Mediterranean
After WW2 world sentiment favored giving
the Jews a national homeland.
May 14th
, 1948 Israel was established.
• Western nations (Europe and U.S.) supported the
creation of Israel
• Most Arab nations are angered and upset about the
creation of a Jewish designated country in what is
predominately a Muslim occupied region.

25. Reaction
Arab countries (Egypt, Iraq,
Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia,
Syria) tried to destroy Israel
Arab-Israeli War (1948)
Six Day War (1967)
Yom Kippur War (1973)

26. Results
Arab countries defeated
Israel gained more territory
• Military occupied Gaza Strip & West Bank
• Palestine is no longer a country

27. Section 2: The Eastern
Mediterranean
Palestine Liberation Organization
(PLO)- formed to regain the land for
Arabs
Political & Military means used

28. Hamas
Hamas (Palestinian Nationalist group) demands
own territory, currently occupies Gaza Strip
Considered a terrorist organization

29. Section 2: The Eastern
Mediterranean
Ottoman Empire-
Muslim based
government, started
in Turkey
Lasted from 1520-
1920 (‘til end of WW1)

30. Section 3: The Northeast
The Kurds- ethnic group in Southwestern
Asia
Stateless nation
5,000+ were gassed to death by Saddam
Hussein’s army.
Saddam was executed for this

31. Section 3: The Northeast
Mesopotamia- many civilizations were
started here in the “land between the
rivers” (AKA The Fertile Crescent)
Sumer
Babylonia
Assyria
Chaldea
Hittites
Persia

32. Section 3: The Northeast
Taliban- fundamentalist Muslim political
group in Afghanistan

33. No television, music or movies
No whistling or clapping
No dancing
No shorts
No photography
No smoking
Men must have a beard and wear a
head covering

34. Women:
•No jobs, must stay at home
•Must wear the burqa and be with a male
relative outside the house
•No schooling/education
•No revealing ankles/ no white socks
•No treatment by male doctors
•No make-up or brightly colored clothes

35. •No associating with male
shopkeepers
•No laughing loudly
•No high heels
•No driving
•No riding bicycles
•No washing clothes next to a river
unless a male relative is present
•Windows must be painted or
covered

36. Osama bin Laden