The Five Pillars of Islam

• Islam is a monotheistic religion based on the belief in one God (Allah)
• Islamic teachings share similarities with other monotheistic religions like Christianity and Judaism
• Islam originated in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century CE with Prophet Muhammad as its final messenger

The Five Pillars of Islam

• The Five Pillars are fundamental acts of worship and the foundation of a Muslim's faith and practice:
  • Shahada (Faith): Declaration of faith that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger
  • Salah (Prayer): Muslims must pray five times a day at specific times: dawn, noon, afternoon, evening, and night
  • Zakat (Charity): Muslims must give a portion of their wealth to those in need during Ramadan, to purify their wealth and assist the less fortunate
  • Sawm (Fasting): Abstaining from food and drink from dawn until dusk during Ramadan
  • Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca): Pilgrimage to Mecca must be undertaken at least once in a lifetime if financially and physically able

Sunni and Shia Division

• The division between Sunni and Shia Muslims occurred after Prophet Muhammad's death in 632 CE
• The primary disagreement was over the rightful leadership of the Muslim community
• Sunnis believe the community should select leaders, while Shias believe leadership should stay within the Prophet's family, specifically through Ali
• Sunnis make up approximately 85-90% of the Muslim population, while Shias account for about 10-15%
• The Sunni-Shia divide often influences political and social dynamics, leading to tensions and violence

Overview of Major Religions

• Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are the three major monotheistic religions, each with unique beliefs and practices
• These religions share a common heritage and have influenced each other throughout history

Key Symbols and Sacred Texts

• Islam: The crescent moon and star are symbols and the Quran is considered the sacred text
• Judaism: The Star of David is the symbol and the Torah is the sacred text
• Christianity: The cross is the symbol and the Bible is the sacred text

Core Beliefs

• Islam: Belief in one God (Allah), the prophethood of Muhammad, and the Five Pillars of Islam
• Judaism: Emphasis on the covenant between God and Abraham, following the laws outlined in the Torah
• Christianity: Belief in the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), the divinity of Jesus Christ, and salvation through faith

Development of Religions

• Islam emerged in the 7th century in the Arabian Peninsula and spread to the Middle East and beyond
• Judaism's roots trace back to the ancient Israelites and Abraham around 2000 BCE
• Christianity developed in the 1st century CE, rooted in Jewish traditions and the teachings of Jesus Christ

Interactions and Influences

• The three religions have coexisted and interacted throughout history, leading to both conflict and cooperation
• Shared narratives and figures, such as Abraham, are central to the beliefs of all three religions
• Historical events, such as the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition, shaped the relationships between these faiths

Key Cultural Sites of Southwest Asia

• Jerusalem: A city of immense religious significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
  • It is home to the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
• Church of the Holy Sepulcher: Believed to be the site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial
  • It is a major pilgrimage site for Christians
• Wailing Wall (Western Wall): A sacred site for Jewish prayer and reflection
• Al-Aqsa Mosque: Situated on the Temple Mount, it is the third holiest site in Islam
• These sites represent the historical conflicts and cultural exchanges that have shaped the region over centuries

Major Historical Events in Southwest Asia

• 1400 ВСЕ - 1750 CE: Period of colonization, leading to significant cultural and political changes
• 1096 CE: The Crusades begin, marking religious wars initiated by Christians to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control
• 1290 CE: The Ottoman Empire begins, establishing an Islamic state that lasts for centuries
• 1914 - 1918: World War I led to the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, with geopolitical consequences for the Middle East
• 1948: The establishment of Israel, leading to ongoing conflicts and the displacement of Palestinian people

Key Historical Figures and Movements

• Jesus Christ: Savior by Christians, and a prophet in Islam
  • Impacted Western civilization
• Muhammad: Founder of Islam,
  • Received revelations from the Angel Gabriel, leading to the Quran and the Islamic faith
• British Control: Britain gained control in the 1850s, leading to the establishment of the Jewish National Fund

Major Conflicts in Southwest Asia

• Iraq/Iran War (1980-1988): A conflict resulting in casualties and a stalemate
• Gulf War (1991): A US-led coalition intervened, resulting in the liberation of Kuwait
• Iraq War (2003): Initiated under the pretext of Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction

Impact of Wars on Society

• Wars lead to significant displacement of populations, creating refugee crises
• Preservation of historical and cultural sites is threatened, impacting the identity of the region's peoples

Understanding Geographic Themes

• Thematic maps illustrate specific themes or data related to a particular area
• Common types of thematic maps include physical and economic activity
• Southwest Asia is characterized by deserts, mountains, and rivers

Key Geographic Features

• The region's climate is predominantly arid and semi-arid, influencing vegetation and human settlement patterns
• Major rivers, such as the Tigris and Euphrates, are vital for agriculture
• The presence of oil reserves significantly impacts the economic activity of countries like Saudi Arabia and Iraq
• Vegetation zones vary from desert scrub to mixed and coniferous forests
• Population density is uneven, with urban areas like Riyadh and Baghdad having high concentrations of people

Climate Zones

• The region features arid, semi-arid, and Mediterranean climates
• Arid climates dominate much of the area, leading to limited vegetation and challenging living conditions
• Semi-arid regions can support agriculture with irrigation
• Mediterranean climate in coastal areas allows for a more diverse range of crops and vegetation

Economic Activities

• Economic activities are heavily influenced by climate and physical geography
• Oil extraction is a primary economic driver in countries like Saudi Arabia
• Agriculture is limited in arid regions but can thrive in areas with access to rivers and irrigation
• Trade routes historically developed along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

Population Distribution

• Population density varies significantly, with urban centers experiencing high concentrations of people
• Major cities like Riyadh, Baghdad, and Tehran are hubs of economic activity and cultural exchange
• Many countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Yemen, have large areas with low population density
• Urbanization trends show migration from rural areas to cities
• Countries with limited water resources face challenges in sustaining growing urban populations

Challenges of Urbanization

• Rapid urbanization presents challenges such as infrastructure strain, pollution, and resource management
• Cities often struggle to provide adequate services, including water, sanitation, and housing
• Environmental degradation is a concern, particularly in areas where natural resources are overexploited

Key vocabulary

• Arable: Land suitable for growing crops
• Autonomy: The right/condition of self-government
• Bazaar: A marketplace or shopping center found in SW Asia
• Desalination: Removing salt from water
• Embargo: An official ban on trade
• Mandate States: Territories assigned to a country by the League of Nations after WW1 to stop self-diplomacy and administer territories
• Minaret: A tall slender tower
• Monotheism: Belief in only one god
• Partition: Dividing into parts
• Polytheism: Belief in more than one god
• Secular: No religious basis
• Sect: A group of people with different beliefs from a larger group that's similar
• Steppe: Warm or hot with low rainfall/few trees
• Desert: Little to no precipitation
• Mediterranean: Warm/dry summers with wet winters
• Highlands: Climate that changes depending on elevation