The Middle East

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The Middle East
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3 Abrahamic Religions

• Judaism
• Christianity
• Islam
• All 3 religions have sacred ties to the city of
  Jerusalem in Israel.
• Monotheistic (belief in one God instead of
  many gods

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Judaism

• Judaism is about 3200 years old
• followers called Jews
• basic laws, teachings, and history of the Jewish
  people are recorded in the Torah
• religious center is in city of Jerusalem in
  Israel
• Worship at Temples (or Synagogues)

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Judaism

• The land of Palestine is considered to be the
  specific land promised to the Jewish people by
  God
• Centuries of invasions of Palestine have spread
  the Jewish people around the world

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Ancient Israel

• Jews forced to leave ancient Israel
• Romans destroyed Jewish Temple

• Jews dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
• Diaspora

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eligion/maps/art/jewish.gif
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Judaism

• The wailing wall in Jerusalem is one of the
  holiest places for Jews
• It is part of the remains of the Great Temple
  that once dominated Jerusalem and was destroyed
  by the Romans in the year 70

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The Jewish World

• The country with the highest Jewish percentage is
  Israel

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Christianity

• Based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth
• Believed to be the Son of God
• The teachings of Jesus were spread throughout the
  Roman Empire by a converted Jew named Paul
• Paul wrote letters to converted communities
  teaching them how to be a Christian

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Christianity

• The story of Jesus life and teachings are
  recorded in The Holy Bible
• The Old Testament of The Holy Bible is actually
  the Torah of Judaism
• The life of Jesus is called The New Testament

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Christianity

• Christianity started with the birth of Jesus.
• It grew following the execution of Jesus in the
  year 33.
• The years used on the modern calendar begin
  roughly with the birth of Jesus thought to be in
  the year 1, but really in the year 4 BC
• Christianity is the largest religion on Earth
  with 2 billion followers

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Christianity

• 3 major branchesCatholic, Eastern Orthodox, and
  Protestant.

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The Christian World

• Most common in the Americas, Europe, Sub-Saharan
  Africa, and Australia

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Islam

• Based on revelations made to Muhammad by the
  angel Gabriel from god (Allah)in the year 613
• Muhammad was from the city of Mecca in the
  Arabian Peninsula

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Islam

• Muhammad is considered to be the last and most
  important of 25 prophets people who have
  received instruction from god
• Prophets include Abraham, Noah, Moses, and Jesus
• The revelations of the prophets are recorded in
  the Holy Quran (Koran)

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• Islam has united the people of the Arabian
  Peninsula
• Five Pillars of Islam
• Basic duties of all converts to Islam

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• a. FAITH all believers must testify that There
  is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his
  prophet.
• b. PRAYER Five times a day, Muslims face holy
  city of Mecca to pray.

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• c. CHARITY have the responsibility to give to
  the less fortunate
• d. FASTING month of Ramadan, Muslims dont eat
  or drink between sunrise and sunset. Sign of
  self control and humility.

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• e. PILGRIMAGE expected to make a pilgrimage
  (hajj) to Mecca at least once during their
  lifetime.

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Islam

• Jerusalem is the third most holy city in Islam as
  the place Muhammad ascended to heaven (Dome of
  the Rock)
• Following Muhammad's death in 632 followers split
  into two factions Shiite and Sunni

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Islam

• Sunni- Muslims who accepted Abu Bakr (Muhammad's
  father-in-law) as Muhammad's successor
• Shiite- Muhammad's son-in-law and cousin Ali,
  whom the Shia believe to be Muhammad's successor
• Shia Muslims believe that
  only a descendant of the
  Prophet Muhammad is
  able to be the leader
  of all
  Muslims

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Monotheism

• Belief in one God
• Jews, Christians, and Muslims are Monotheists

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The Muslim World

• Most common in the middle east and central Asia