A religion with the belief in MANY gods

A religion with the belief in just ONE god

Government related & determined by government such as boundaries for independent nations

visible, environmental --
Examples: mountains, lakes, rivers, seas, and oceans

people who may share common characteristics such as language, physical traits, customs, and traditions -- examples: Arabs, Kurds, Persians

people who share a common set of beliefs, usually in a supernatural being(s) -- examples: Christians, Jews, Muslims

Most common ethnic group in the Middle East and North Africa - majority are Sunni Muslims with Shia Muslims making up about 10%

ethnic group that lives in the mountainous regions of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Armenia, and Turkey-- most are Sunni Muslims

ethnic group who make up over ½ of the population of Iran -- maintained a large and powerful empire in ancient times

Smaller percentage of all Muslims-- believe that Muhammad's heirs should be descendants of Muhammad, and that the heir is both a political AND religious leader

Larger group of Muslims (90%) -- believe that Muhammad did not appoint a successor so the successor needs to be elected or appointed and that the successor serves only as a political leader, NOT a religious leader

relate, same, similarities

dissimilar, distinct, different

the variety or differences among people, groups, or things

notable, primary, most common

the first of the monotheistic religions founded c. 1900 BCE by Abraham - Text: Torah, worship in a synagogue

the third monotheistic religion with its start c. 610 CE and founded by Muhammad - Text: Qur'an, worship in a mosque

considered the founder of Judaism although he is considered a father figure in the teachings of all 3 monotheistic religions

considered the founder of Christianity; a figure mentioned in all three monotheistic religions --
Christianity is based on his life and teachings

considered the founder of Islam
-- Muslims believe that the angel Gabriel appeared to him to give him Allah's (God's) word

term used for the followers of Islam-- NOT a term for a religion

principle beliefs of faith, prayer, charity, fasting during the holy month, and the hajj (Islam)

city in Israel considered holy by all three monotheistic religions for different reasons

average number of people living in a given area (usually per square mile or kilometer)

dry, the type of climate most common in the Middle East

expensive process of removing salt from sea water so it can be used for drinking and farming

process of getting water from where it is to where it is needed

authority for claims to, use of, and redistribution of fresh water - unfortunately, water is unevenly distributed in the Middle East