Middle East and Islamic History Flashcard

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Sunni

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A branch of Islam whose members acknowledge the first four caliphs as the rightful successors of Muhammad.

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Mesopotamia

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A region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that developed the first urban societies, known as 'land between the rivers'.

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Shi'ite (Shia)

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A member of the branch of Islam that regards Ali (the fourth caliph) as the legitimate successor to Muhammad and rejects the first three caliphs.

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Kurds

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A stateless ethnic group/nation inhabiting areas in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, often referred to as Kurdistan.

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Sumerians

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An ancient civilization known for developing one of the first urban societies in Mesopotamia.

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Islam

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A religion based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, emphasizing belief in one god (Allah), Paradise and Hell, and a body of law written in the Quran.

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Caliphate

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A form of Islamic government led by a caliph, who is considered a political and religious successor to the prophet Muhammad.

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OPEC

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Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, a coalition of oil-producing countries formed in 1961.

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Quran

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The holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God as revealed to Muhammad.

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Jihad

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A term often interpreted as 'struggle' or 'striving' in the way of God, which can refer to personal or collective efforts to live a good life.