ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS
IN SW ASIA
SS7G8– The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live
in SW Asia (Middle East)
a. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.
WHAT IS CULTURE?

The culture of a society is the product of the
religion, beliefs, customs, traditions, and
government of that society
WHAT IS AN ETHNIC GROUP?

Ethnic groups share many common
characteristics like….
 Language
 Physical
appearance
 Customs
 Traditions

For example, Arabs are part of an ethnic group.
 Diversity—both
region
white and black Arabs live in this
WHAT IS A RELIGIOUS GROUP?

Religious groups share a common belief
system.
 For example, Muslims are part of a religious
group.
UNDERSTANDINGS

Ethnic and religious groups are not defined by
political borders.
 This
means that not all Muslims live in SW Asia
 OR
 Not
all Arabs live in Saudi Arabia
DIVERSITY IN SW ASIA: ETHNIC GROUPS

Kurds





Found in Iran, Iraq, and Turkey
Nomadic herders—move from place to place to find food and
water for livestock
Live mainly in the mountains—Zagros Mountains in Iran and
Taurus Mountains of Turkey
Strong ethnic loyalties
Religion



Mostly Sunni Muslim
Small number of Christians
Smaller ethnic groups—Yazidis combine Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam
DIVERSITY OF SW ASIA: ETHNIC GROUPS

Persians
 Major
ethnic group in Iran (formerly Persia)
 `Afghanistan
 United

shares cultural similarities with Persians
by language (Farsi)
Religion
 Mainly
Shia Muslims
 Other religions are present
DIVERSITY IN SW ASIA: ETHNIC GROUPS

Arabs
 Over
100 million people call themselves “Arab”
 Originated from the Arabian Peninsula and North
Africa
 Speak Arabic

Religion
 Many
Arabs are Muslim (Sunni and Shia)
 Other religions are present among the Arabs
DIVERSITY OF SW ASIA: RELIGIOUS GROUPS
Muslims—followers of Islam
 Divided into 2 main groups

 Sunni
 Shia
Muslim community split after the death of
Muhammad in 632 A.D.
 Rule passed to caliphs—successors of
Muhammad

SUNNI MUSLIMS
Majority of Muslims in SW Asia are Sunni
 After the death of Muhammad, they believed
that rule of the Muslims should pass to
Muhammad’s father-in-law, Abu Bakr
 Today, they are ruled by Muslim scholars.

 They
are respected
 Do not have supreme power
SHIA MUSLIMS

Believe that rule should pass to Ali,
Muhammad’s son-in-law.
 Ali
was believed to be the rightful successor to
Muhammad
Today, Shia follow a supreme imam (spiritual
guide and interpreter of the faith)
 90% of the Muslims in Iran are Shia
 Form a majority in Iraq, Yemen, and Bahrain

CONFLICT AMONG SUNNI AND SHIA
Conflict over who should rule the Muslim
community
 Some conflicts have become violent
 The hereditary caliphate

 Shia
wanted the rule to pass to the successors
(blood relatives) of Ali
 Sunni wanted the rule to pass to those who are
worthy (Muslim scholars)