Ethnic & Religious Groups of the Middle East

Ethnic Groups

100

This ethnic group speaks Arabic.

the Arabs

200

This ethnic group is found mainly in Iran (and Afghanistan).

the Persians

300

This ethnic group was purposefully split apart into four countries in order to keep them a minority throughout the Middle East.  As a result of being split into multiple countries, they are no longer able to maintain their nomadic lifestyle. 

the Kurds

400

This ethnic group has spread across the world and adapts to the new cultures they join; however, they always retain their original language.

the Arabs

500

What is the geographic area that is not a country but that does show where the Kurds live.

Kurdistan

Religious Groups

100

This religious group believes that Jesus was a human man, nothing more.

Judaism

200

This religious group started in the 600s in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Islam

300

This city is considered a holy city for all three Abrahamic faiths.

Jerusalem

400

This one specific area in Jerusalem is considered the holiest place on Earth for both the Jews and the Muslims.

the Temple Mount

500

According to Islamic (Muslim) belief, this is the seat of God (Allah) on Earth.  It is a black cube structure inside the al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

the Kaaba

Judaism

100

The sacred text for the Jews is the __________.

Torah

200

theocracy: when government and religion are one; a government that makes laws according to a religion

Most countries in the Middle East are theocracies that follow Islam; however, the country of __________ is a theocracy that follows Judaism.

Israel

300

What is the role of Jesus in Judaism?

Jesus was considered a human man, nothing more.

400

Why is the Temple Mount so important to Judaism?

The Temple Mount was the location of the Temple, built by the Jews to be God's seat of power on Earth.

500

After the Jews rebelled against the Romans in Jerusalem in the year 70 CE, they were expelled from the city.  As a result, they spread throughout the Middle East, northern Africa, Europe, and Asia.  This spreading out of the Jews is called __________.

diaspora

Christianity

100

Christianity broke away from what other religion?

Judaism

200

Choose one of the following:

1. Christians worship in __________.

2. Large versions of these buildings are called cathedrals and are always built in the shape of a __________.

1. churches

2. cross

300

What was the role of Jesus in Christianity?

Jesus was considered to be Christ, part God.

Christ: the savior; the Messiah

400

The Christians do not stake a claim to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem; however, the city itself is still considered a holy city for them.  Why?

Jerusalem is the site of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection.

500

Explain the significance of the following terms:

1. Messiah

2. resurrection

Messiah means "savior," and the resurrection is when Jesus ascended into heaven after his death.  These are the two fundamental issues that caused Christianity to split from Judaism.  The Christians believed these two factors to be true; the Jews did not.

Islam

100

While Jerusalem is a holy city for Islam, it is not the holiest.  The holiest city for Muslims is __________.

Mecca

200

Choose the correct word:

The (Islams/Muslims) are expected to pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able.

Muslims

300

What was the role of Jesus in Islam?

Jesus was considered to be a prophet, a man sent from God with a message for humanity.

400

The core beliefs of Islam are called the __________.

Five Pillars

500

Christians have Jesus as the "preachin' and teachin' " person responsible for spreading their religion.  Who is his counterpart in Islam?

Muhammad