Religions
Mohammed is an important figure in which religion?
Islam
True or False: The Balfour Declaration stated that Great Britain would NOT support the creation of a Jewish state (Israel)
False
Was the Iranian Shah more friendly with the United States or the Soviet Union before the Iranian Revolution?
The United States
Which terrorist group is responsible for the 9/11 attacks?
Al-Qaeda
Jesus Christ is a considered the son of God in which religion?
Christianity
Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are grouped together as the (answer) religions?
Abrahamic
What is the effect of Israeli creating settlements on Palestinian territory?
The Palestinians lose access to that land and its resources, effectively losing it completely
How did 9/11 impact the United States' decision to invade Iraq?
After 9/11, the United States was extremely sensitive to foreign threats (especially from the Middle East) and didn't want to risk Iraq attacking the United States (with the weapons they thought Iraq had)
What is Sharia Law? Why is it important to Islamist terrorist groups?
It is traditional Islamic law (straight from the Quran), and Islamist terrorist groups want world governments to follow it
Why did the Syrian Civil War begin?
To overthrow the government of Bashar Al-Assad
Which city is considered holy by Judaism, Islam, and Christianity?
Jerusalem
Explain the UN Partition Plan.
The UN Partition Plan was the UN's plan to split Palestine between the Jewish and Palestinian populations of the region in order to satisfy everyone. The Jews were very happy with the plan, and created Israel, while the Palestinians rejected the plan and attacked the Jewish populations.
What was the reason the United States gave for invading Iraq?
The United States had information that the Iraqi government was hiding "weapons of mass destruction" that possibly could be used against the US (this was false)
What is Wahabbism?
The belief that governments need to return to traditional Islamic beliefs, and Islamic countries should be united in a great Muslim empire
What is the Taliban?
An Islamist extremist group that took control of much of Afghanistan-allowing Osama Bin Laden to hide out there
Name three of the 5 pillars of Islam
Charity, Haj (travel to Mecca), Daily Prayer, Fasting during Ramadan, Profession of Faith
Name three issues preventing Israel and Palestine from making a peace agreement.
Palestinian terrorism, Israeli violence, blocking of Palestinian statehood, the Jerusalem question, Israeli settlements, "Occupied Territories," Palestinian Poverty, Differing viewpoints within each side
After the Iranian Revolution, why did the new Iranian regime under the Ayatollah view the United States as an enemy?
They thought that American culture was taking over traditional Iranian religion and culture
What is jihad? Who is it against?
Jihad is Islamic holy war- it is against the self, or the enemies of Islam (depending on how the word is used)
What is Hamas?
A Palestinian political party in the West Bank that is extremely anti-Israel- and has committed terrorist acts
Name one holiday each from Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and explain their meanings
Chirstmas: Birth of Christ (Christianity)
Easter: Resurrection of Christ (Christianity)
Ramadan: Month of fasting to show devotion to Allah(Islam)
Yom Kippur: Day of Reflection (Judaism)
Passover: Celebrating death "passing over" Jewish houses in Egypt (Judaism)
Is there a possibility for a peace in Israel-Palestine that everyone agrees with? Explain your thinking.
Based on student response
Explain the cycle the United States found itself stuck in during Operation Iraqi Freedom (the War in Iraq)
There was no government in Iraq, or an army to keep order. Therefore, the United States had to keep order in a country that was not happy about it being there.
Why were events like the murder of Anwar Saddat (president of Egypt) significant to the development of Al-Qaeda and Islamism?
Saddat was a fellow Muslim, so it meant the adoption of the idea that if someone wasn't "Muslim enough" they could be treated as a non-Muslim (so it was okay to kill them)
What is the role of Iran in Syria's civil war?
They are using their influence in Syria and the region to work against Israel (their enemy)