PEOPLE OF THE MIDDLE EAST

The SEMITES Together, the Arabs and Jews make up the Semitic

population of the MidEast. Arabic and Hebrew are considered Semitic

languages, hence the term. Earliest Semites were the Akkadians, Assyrians,

Canaanites, Hebrews and the Phoenicians.– Hebrews only group to maintain separate identity

• anti-Semitism only pertains to the Jews

– Other groups have been diffused w/ the Arabs

The ARABS Single largest MidEast ethnicity based upon language

– written Arabic (classical)– spoken Arabic

majority are Muslims– Christian Arabs– Jewish Arabs

Live in entire Arabian Peninsula, plus Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt and most of North Africa

TURKS From Turkey

– originally from Central Asia

– mixture of Central Asians and Europeans

– speak Turkish

– most populous MidEast country

Sunni Muslims Democratic (Parliament)

– one of two democracies in the MidEast

– member of NATO

– No oil

– very Western

Ottoman Empire was the largest & longest lasting Muslim empire ever

ATATURK

IRANIANS From Iran – ancient Persia– speak Farsi (Persian)

• written w/ Arabic letters

largest MidEast country Shi’ite Muslims

– minority Muslims

Theocratic gov’t today– Iranian (Islamic) Revolution in 1979

• US Hostage Crisis

Iran-Iraq War from 1980-1988 Oil rich

ISRAELIS Existed in Biblical times

– Israel recreated in 1948

Jewish– Ashkenazim: Jews from Europe– Sephardim: Jews from the Arab

world & Africa– Israeli-Arabs

Speak Hebrew Democratic

– western culture– All must serve in the military

DRUZE Druze is the ethnic group & the

religion– secret religion

• only @ 20% of Druze know their religion• must show interest to learn

Speak Arabic Don’t have own country

– live mainly in Israel, Syria and Lebanon

– Only non-Jews allowed to join Israeli military

• known to be loyal to Israel• fierce warriors

KURDS Speak Kurdish No Kurdistan

– live in Turkey, Iran, Iraq & Syria

Desire own homeland– some are willing to use terrorism

Unable to unite amongst themselves

Sunni Muslims Hated by Turks and Arabs

– Arab proverb- There are 3 plagues on the earth: the rat, the locust & the Kurd

Answer the following questions:

What is the dominant ethnic group i/t ME? What are the two Semitic ethnicities? Name the two ethnicities that are Mtn ppl. What ethnicity are Iranians? What is the dominant religion i/t MidEast? Name two countries that have democracies. Name the two most common cultural

characteristics found in the MidEast.