This document provides an overview of the history and beliefs of Islam and the Middle East region. It discusses the origins and key teachings of Islam, including the Quran and hadith. It then covers major historical events and conflicts in the Middle East such as the Mongol invasions, Crusades, Ottoman-Persian wars, European colonialism, and current issues. The document seeks to clarify common misconceptions about Islamic beliefs and teachings regarding God, prophets, Jesus, the Bible, treatment of non-Muslims, and the circumstances under which Islam permits fighting.

1. Middle East, The Past And
The Present
Emad Salih
Medicine Hat Muslim Community

2. Mecca (The birth place of Islam)

3. The Quran
 Revealed to Prophet
Mohamed over a period of 23
years.
 114 chapters, 604 pages
 Memorized by many and
written down during the life
of the prophet.

4. The Prophetic Traditions (Sunnah)
 300,000 of the prophetic
teachings handed down and
collected in the books of
“Sunnah”.
 Explains the Quran and
shows how it should be
applied in real life.

5. What is a Muslim’s
belief?
 Do Muslims believe in a
different God whom they call
Allah?
- No, Allah is the Arabic name
for God used by all Arabs,
Muslims, Christians and others.
 Do Muslims worship
Mohammed?
- No, Mohammed is the
Messenger entrusted with God’s
final revelation to mankind.
 Do Muslims deny Jesus and
other Biblical Prophets?
- No, the exact opposite is true.
Muslims believe in all the
Prophets of God and revere
them. No Muslim is a Muslim if he
denies or disrespects any
Prophet.
 Do Muslims reject the Bible as
a whole?
- No, Muslims believe in the
original Bible revealed to Jesus
but reject any additions, deletions,
revisions, and errors in translation.

6. Cont. The Belief of
Muslims
 “Say, [O believers], "We have believed in Allah
and what has been revealed to us and what
has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael
and Isaac and Jacob and his Descendants
and what was given to Moses and Jesus
and what was given to the prophets from
their Lord. We make no distinction between
any of them, and we are Muslims [in
submission] to Him.” ( Quran 2:136)

7. The Middle East

8. Middle East Before
Christianity (The Persian
Empire 559 BC)

9. The Roman Persian
Struggle For Control

10. The Roman Empire At Its
Greatest Extent

11. Islamic Empire 630-730 CE

12. Ottoman Empire At Its
Greatest Extent

13. The Rise Of The Safavid
Dynasty

14. Ottoman Safavid Power
Struggle

15. Ottoman Loss Of Control

16. European Colonialism Of
The Middle East

17. European Colonialism

18. Religious Map Of Middle-
East

19. Major Conflicts In Middle
East History
 Mongol Invasion
 The Crusades
 Power Struggle Between Ottomans and Safavids
 European Colonialism
 Puppet dictatorships in lieu of direct occupation
 Arab Israeli Conflict
 American Invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan
 Current day conflicts between Sunnah and Shiaa

20. Mongol Invasions 13th &
14th Centuries
 1.6 Million killed in Hara (Afghanistan)
 1.7 Million killed in Nishapur (Iran)
 Population of Persia from 2.5 Mil. to 250K
 1-2 Million killed in Baghdad
 Population of China from 120 Mil. to 60 Mil.
 Ukraine Population dropped by one half
 Hungary Population dropped by one half
 Destroyed most cities in today’s Russia
 Total death toll 40-70 Million

21. Mongol Empire At Its Height

22. The Crusades 1095-1291
 Estimated death toll 9 Million
 Half of the dead were Christians
 Crusades targeted not only Muslims
 They targeted Jews and Greek Orthodox
Christians as well
 Initial force led by Priest Peter the Hermit
 Offered indulgences (Freedom to commit any
sin)
 Initial army most French and German Peasants

23. Ottoman-Persian Wars from
the 16th to the 19th Century
 Against the Safavid, Hotaki, Afsharid, Zand and
Qajar dynasties
 The Safavid Dynasty responsible for forced
conversion of Iran and Azrebaijan to Shiism
 Established dominance of a more extreme brand
of Shiism (The Twelver sect)
 Multiple massacres against the Sunni population
such as the Asfahan and Tibriz massacres

24. European Colonialism
 Lasted for decades
 Longest occupation in Algeria 1830-1962
 1.5 deaths in Algeria alone in struggle for
independence from France
 600,000 death in Libya 1911-1951 till
independence from Italy
 Colonial armies left Middle East only leave
divisions based on sectarian affiliation and
only to appoint puppet governments

25. Role Of Puppet Governments
 Deprive Middle East Nations of democratic
choices for fear of rise of Islamic Powers
which are perceived as a possible threat to
Israel and the West
 Recent examples of the above:
1-Overthrow of democratically elected Islamic
Government in Algeria 1992 leading to civil war
from 1992-2002 and 200,000 deaths
2-Overthrow of The Union Of Islamic Courts in
Somalia in 2006 leading to ongoing Chaos,
lawlessness, emergence of Al-Shabab and many
deaths

26. Cont. Role of Puppet
Governments
3-Overthrough of democratically elected Egyptian
resident, Morsi, in 2013 with the killing of thousands
of his peaceful supporters, imprisonment of more
than 40,000, emergence of Islamic State in Sinai
and ongoing turmoil.
 Corrupt governments chosen and maintained
on the basis of their loyalty to world powers
not on efficiency and service for their people.
 Examples:
1-Current Iraqi government
2-Current Afghan Government

27. Arab-Israeli Conflict
 Israel established 1948
 9 Million Palestinians lived in Palestine prior to
1948
 5 Million Palestinians displaced from their
homeland and replaced by Israeli settlers
 At least 1/2 Million killed since that date
 Israel continues to build settlements and
displace Palestinians + recent wars
 Gaza blockade 2007-Present (Even kept
calorie count, no more than 2,279
Cal/person/day), 43% unemployment, soaring
infant death etc.

28. Gradual Annexation of
Palestinian Land

29. American/UN Sanctions
and Invasion Of Iraq
 Sanctions 1991-1998
 UNICEF estimates 500,000 children < 5 died
 Lancet: 567,000 children < 5 deaths
 Denis Halliday (UN Humanitarian Coordinator in
Baghdad) resigned after a 34 year career with
UN stating “I don’t want to administer a program
that satisfies the definition of Genocide”
 May 1996, 60 Min. Interview of Madeline Albright
about the death of ½ Mil. Children and she
replied “ I think this is a very hard choice but we
think the price is worth it”

30. American Invasion of Iraq
2003
 Pre-war statements about WMD
 Opposed by UN
 3 Million anti-war rally in the Rome (Largest)
 Protests of 36 Million people across globe
 US, UK, Australia, and Poland
 7,500 civilians killed during invasion
 Shiaa sided with Americans and given rule
 Sectarian violence & rise of extremist groups
 Up until 2007 research > 1.1 million deaths

31. Sunni Shia Divide
Sunni
 Muslim Rulership based on
merit
 Accepting any Muslim as
leader
 Only the Quran and sayings
of the Prophet (Sunnah) are
source of religion and law
 Only God is divine
 90% of Muslims
 Respect the prophets
disciples and wives
Shiaa
 Ruler has to be a
descendent of Ali
 Revolting against any leader
who is not a Shiite
 Interpretations & saying of
their Imams and Ayatullahs
supersede
 Ali & Ayatullahs given divine
qualities
 7-10% of Muslims
 Revile both

32. Current Shiaa-Sunnah
Conflicts
 Sparked by Iranian intervention in Iraq following
American invasion, support for Syrian regime &
instigation of unrest in Sunni countries e.g.
Yemen, Bahrain
 Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthis in Yemen
 Sunni nations starting to fight back
 Sunni nations also fighting against Sunni
extremist groups such as ISIS
 Syrian conflict 250,000, >90% by Syrian Regime
(Tacit approval of Int. Community)

33. Is Internal fighting unique to Muslims?
 European Wars of Religion 1524-1648: 15 Million
deaths
 World Wars1 & 2 (100 million deaths)
 Rwandan Genocide 1994 (1 million killed in 4 months)
 Russian Civil War 1917-1922 (9 Million deaths)
 American Civil War (>800,000 deaths)
 Chinese Civil Wars 1927-1950 (6 million deaths)
 Deaths under Communist Regimes 100 Million

34. Interesting Prophesies About Iraq
& Palestine/Syria
“There will come a time when no food or money will
be delivered to the people of Iraq” He was asked “
How could that happen?” He replied “non-Arabs will
impose sanctions on them” then he said: “There will
come a time when no money or food will be
delivered to the people of Sham (Palestine/Syria)”
We said to him “ How could that happen?” He
replied : “This will be imposed by the Romans
(People from European descent)” (Mohammed 570-
632)
“Once internal fighting starts in my nation, it will not
be lifted till the day of judgment” (Mohammed)

35. Interesting Prophecy About Rulership
In Muslim World
 "Prophethood will remain with you for as long as
Allah wills, then Allah will lift it. Afterwards, there
will be a Caliphate then, Allah will lift it whenever
He wills. Afterwards, there will be a monarchy for
as long as Allah wills then he will lift it. Then,
there will be a reign of tyrants for as long as
Allah wills then he will lift it. Then, there will be a
Caliphate that follows the guidance of
Prophethood” (Prophet Mohammed 570-632)

36. Interesting Prophecy About Internal Strife
& Rise Of Extremists
 Sahl Ibn Haneef said: "I heard the prophet say
while pointing his hand towards Iraq: "There will
appear some people who will recite the Quran
but it will not go beyond their throats, and they
will go out from the fold of Islam as an arrow
darts through the game's body” (Mohammed
570-632)
 “There will be internal strife and fighting in this
nation of mine. And there will appear a certain
group, their talk is sweet but their actions are
awful, they recite the Quran but it does not go
past their throat. They are worst of mankind and
the whole creation”

37. Interesting Prophecy Occupation
of Muslim Land
 ‘Imminently, there will come a time when nations
will collectively attack you, just as people would
divide a feast.’ A man said, ‘Will it be because
we are few at that time, O Allah’s Messenger?’
He responded, ‘No, you will be numerous in
those times, but you will be as useless as the
scum of the sea, and Allah will remove the fear
that your enemies used to posses towards you,
and He will place weakness in your hearts’, it
was said, ‘What is that weakness?’, he
responded, ‘attachment to worldy life, and fear
of death’ (Mohammed)

38. Muslim Demographics
 Islam has 1.6 billion adherents, making up over 23.4% of the
world population. (2010 study)
 Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion by number of
conversions per year. (According to the Guinness Book of
Records)
 Arabs constitute no more that 17% of Muslims. Actually, 7-
10% of Arabs are Christians.
 Muslims in Canada (2011) 1,053,945; second largest after
Christianity and the fastest growing in Canada.

39. % of Muslims around the globe
 .

41. Muslims In
Europe

42. Do Muslims in general hold extremist
views?
-Gallup study (2001-2007), 50,000 participants, 35 Muslim
countries, the only study of its kind.
-7% held radical views, 93% did not hold radical views.
-98.16% of Muslims are against violence directed
towards civilians based on this study.

44. What does Islam teach with respect
to people of other faiths?
 “Allah does not forbid you respecting those
who have not waged war against you on
account of your religion, and have not driven
you out of your homes, that you treat them
with kindness and deal with them justly;
surely Allah loves those who are Just”
Quran (60:8)

45. What are the Islamic teachings towards
non-Muslim Minorities?
 "Beware! Whoever is cruel or harsh on a
non-Muslim minority; curtails their rights,
burdens them with more than they can
bear, or takes anything from them
against their free will; I will stand against
him on the Day of Judgment.” (Prophet
Mohammed)

46. Under Which Circumstances Does
Islam Call On Its Followers To
Fight?
In Self defense
 “Fight in the way of Allah those who fight
you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah
does not like transgressors” (Quran
2:190)

47. Under Which Circumstances Does
Islam Call On Its Followers To Fight?
To defend the oppressed
 “Permission to fight is given to those who have been
fought against, because they were wronged and
oppressed; and indeed, God is most able to give
them victory; (they are) those who have been
unjustly expelled from their homes without right,
for no reason except that they say, "Our Lord is
God.” (Quran 22:39-40)
 “And why should you not fight in the way of God and
for the sake of those who are weak, ill-treated,
and oppressed? Men, Women, and Children,
whose only cry is, "Oh our Lord! Rescue us from this
town whose people are tyrants, and provide for us
from you one who will protect us; and raise for us
from you one who will help us!” (Quran 4:75)

48. Under Which Circumstances Does
Islam Call On Its Followers To Fight?
To protect freedom of religion
 They were evicted from their homes unjustly, for
no reason other than saying, "Our Lord is GOD."
If it were not for GOD's supporting of some
people against others, monasteries,
churches, synagogues, and masjids - where
the name of GOD is commemorated
frequently - would have been destroyed.
Absolutely, GOD supports those who support
Him. GOD is Powerful, Almighty.(Quran 22:40)

49. Which State Does Islam
Favor, War or Peace?
 “But if your enemies incline towards
peace, you should also incline
towards peace. And trust in God! For He
is the one who hears and knows all
things.” (Quran8:61)

50. Are Muslims allowed to commit
atrocities at times of war?
 "I advise you ten things: Do not kill women or
children or an aged, or weak person. Do not kill
people in places of worship.." (Prophet Mohamed)
 “Do not go to extremes, do not behave
treacherously, mutilate their dead, or kill children”
(Prophet Mohammed)

51. Do Muslims want to force everyone else
to convert to Islam?
 “Let there be no compulsion in religion” (Quran
2:256).
 “To you is your religion, and to me is mine”(Quran
109:6).
 “And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever
wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him
disbelieve” (Quran 18:29)

52. Does Islam promote racism?
 "No Arab has any superiority over a non Arab,
nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over
an Arab. Nor does a white man have any
superiority over a black man, or the black man
have any superiority over the white man. You
are all the children of Adam, & Adam was
created from clay” (Prophet Mohammed)

53. Extremists In Numbers
 According to a report released in the US by
Bipartisan Policy Center Homeland Security
Project: 85,000-106,000 (They Included
extremist groups + all groups fighting
against their invasions)
 Muslims around the world are 1.7 Billion.
 Their percentage out of the Muslim
population is 0.005%.
 That equates to 1 individuals out of every
20,000.

54. ISIS

55. Who Are ISIS
 Origin Jamaat Al_tawhid Aw-Al-Jihad-1999
 Pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda-2004
 Joined insurgent groups after US invation of Iraq
to form Mujahideen Shura Council
 Proclaimed Islamic State In Iraq-2006
 Joined Syrian Civil War-2011-named ISIS
 Al-Qaeda cut ties with ISIS-Feb-2014
 Declared worldwide Caliphate June 2014
 Claimed territory in Libya and Nigeria-2014
 Some activity in Egypt, Yemen, KSA, Tunisia

56. ISIS
 20,000-31,000 in Syria & Iraq (CIA estimate)
 32,000-57,000 outside
 Population of occupied territory-10 million
 Well-funded web and social media propaganda

57. Muslim World Official
Stance Towards ISIS
 Muslim scholars declared them as heretics, un-
Islamic, and evil.
 Muslim scholars called on Muslims to denounce
them and fight against them.
 Muslim scholars called on its followers to break
away from them and warned others against
joining them.
 Muslim governments declared them as terrorist
organization e.g. KSA, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey,
Indonesia, UAE
 Muslim countries joined fight against them

58. Thank You
Questions and Answers Session