regional studies #3 middle east and north africa

Regional Studies #3

Middle East and North Africa

IRAN

Tehran

Azadi (Freedom) monument – 2500th year of Persian Empire (1971)

 Iran is one of the _________________ continuous civilizations in the world. Much of its wealth today relies on the production and export of _________. Other major sources of income include textiles, construction materials, and the beautiful and expensive ____________________ which are exported to many parts of the world. Farmers grow wheat, rice, sugar beets, and cotton. Iran is also the world’s leading producer of ___________________________ nuts.

Iran has a population of about 77 million people. Over ____ per cent of the population is 30 years old or younger in age. Unlike most of the countries in this region, most Iranians are not Arabs but trace their roots to ancient ______________.

The official language of Iran is Persian or _______________ as it is known locally. This language borrows words from Arabic, Turkish, English and French. Words we have borrowed from the Persian language include the ______________________, ______________________, and ______________.

FARSI

ASSASSIN

PAJAMASLEMON

Religious Conflict in the Islamic World

Sunni vs. Shia conflict in IRAQ

Most of the Muslim world is Sunni

SHAHS

ALLY

MULLAHS

Shah Reza Pahlavi and his wife

THEOCRATIC

Relations with the USAbout 2,000 years ago, Iran was ruled by rulers known as ______________. In the 1970’s religious leaders inspired a great many people in Iran to protest again the then ruler of Iran, Shah Reza Pahlavi. The Shah was a strong ________ of the US. But as the protests against the Shah grew stronger, the US backed away from its support of the Shah. In 1979, religious leaders, known as _________________, overthrew the Shah’s government and set up a _________________ government.

Militant student in support of the new government stormed the US Embassy in Tehran and held the US staff hostage. An attempt by President Carter to send in a US rescue team failed. The hostages were finally released after_444_ days of captivity.

Iran Today

Iran is now an ISLAMIC REPUBLIC, a government run by religious leaders.

Many of the laws today are based on SHARIA, the Islamic code of laws based on the teachings of the Quran.

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Iranian Parliament (Majlis)

In recent years many of Iran’s young people have protested against the repressive nature of Iran’s __________________________ government. There have been some reforms, but the mullah’s are still in control.

REPRESSIVE

Iran is also actively developing a nuclear program and many world leaders believe Iran is intent on developing nuclear weapons which would threaten the whole Middle East region. The elected President of Iran, _____________________________________, has made public pronouncements threatening Israel and the US if Iran is attacked.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Iran: The next big war?Student Presentation

Take notes on page 3 of regional studies guide #3

Muslims in America

Guest speaker – take notes on page 3 of student guide

ISRAEL and the Palestinians

Israel