Land and Religion - Their Role in the Division of Sunni and Shia Muslims / Kurdish Nationalism

Land and Religion - Their Role in the Division of Sunni and Shia Muslims / Kurdish Nationalism

by Jakata Shortt

Standard for this lesson:

​SS7H2.c Analyze continuity and change in Southwest Asia (Middle East). Describe how land and religion plays a role in continuing conflicts in the Middle East (i.e. the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the division between Sunni and Shia Muslims, and Kurdish nationalism). Historical Understandings

​In this lesson you will learn:

• ​How religion plays a role in the continuing conflicts in the Middle East

• ​Vocabulary: boundary, ethnic group, religious group, terrorism, territory, minority, majority

​Religious Group

​This group of people share the same religious beliefs.

Multiple Choice

An ________ group is made up of people who share similar religious beliefs.

• Religious 

• Ethnic

• Origin

​Ethnic Group

​This is a group of people who share the same traditions or customs.

Fill in the Blanks

What is an ethnic group?

​Boundary

• ​Seen or unseen division between 2 different territories.

• ​A boundary is often used as a barrier between countries that are not at peace with each other.

​

​Discuss: Can you think of any other reasons why a boundary might be used?

​Do you know of any locations where a boundary might be used?

​Terrorism

• ​Violent acts towards other groups of people

• Often fueled by religious or political reasons

• ​Often done by terrorist groups that do not agree with the current government, involvement from other nations, or to spread their own ideals

Fill in the Blanks

What is a boundary?

Multiple Select

Terrorism is:

• A way to solve a problem peacefully

• Violent acts towards others who don't share the same beliefs as the terrorists

• Something that can lead to more war

​Minority vs. Majority

• ​A minority includes a smaller group of people who often don't get equal treatment as the larger group of people. (Think :Minority / Minus)

• ​A majority includes a large group of people who often get better treatment than the smaller group of people. (Think: Majority / More)

Open Ended

How is a minority different from a majority?

Open Ended

Why are the Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims divided?

Open Ended

Why is there conflict between the Palestinian and Israeli people?

​The 3 Main Religions in the Middle East

1. ​Judaism: The religion of Jews that is based on one God, laws called the Torah, and teachings called the Talmud. Their sacred book is the Torah.​

2. ​Islam: The religion of Muslims that teaches there is only one God, and that Muhammad is his prophet. Their sacred book is the Qu'arn.

3. ​ Christianity: The religion of Christians that is based on one God, a system of beliefs and practices based on the Bible, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Their sacred book is the Bible.

Multiple Choice

Which religious group believes that Jesus was the son of God?

• Judaism

• Christianity

• Islam

Multiple Choice

Which religious group believes that Muhammad is the last prophet?

• Judaism

• Chrisianity

• Islam

Multiple Choice

Which religious group uses the Torah as their sacred book?

• Judaism

• Christianity

• Islam

Open Ended

Write at least two complete sentences that summarize what you learned from this lesson? (Use the CUPS Editing Checklist.)