Definitions
Define Secularism
Advocates for the separation of religion and state, ensuring that government institutions remain neutral in matters of religion and treat all religious beliefs equally
How was religion and politics deeply intertwined in ancient civilizations?
Rulers often claimed divine authority and religious institutions wielded significant power
Of the Enlightenment Era
Promoted religious tolerance and the freedom of conscience, arguing for the rights of individuals to choose their beliefs without coercion
Is Iran historically a Secularized or Religious nation
Secularized
What is Afghanistans political landscape?
Violent, marked by conflict, instability, and a complex web of ethnic, tribal, and regional rivalries
Define Theocracy
Is a form of government where religious leaders or institutions hold political authority, and governance is based on religious laws or principles
Example of intersectionality of religion and politics in Ancient Rome
In the Roman Empire, emperors often claimed divine status, with cults devoted to imperial worship
The Iran Hostage Crisis
Iranian revolutionaries seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took the employees hostage. This event is significant because it changed the way America viewed Iran in a negative light. Ever since, Iran and the U.S. have been bitter adversaries
When did the Iran-Iraq war begin
1980-1988
What percentage of Afghanistan is Sunni Muslim?
85-90%
Define Intersectionality
Refers to the ways religious beliefs, institutions and practices intersect with political processes, ideologies and institutions
Example of intersectionality of religion and politics in Ancient Egypt
The pharaohs of ancient Egypt were believed to be divine monarchs, serving as intermediaries between the gods & the people
Afghanistans 5 political developments (hint: timeline)
Monarchy
Communist Rule
Soviet Invasion & Civil War
Taliban Rule
Post Taliban Period
What years did Shah Reza Pahlavi rule Iran
1953-1979
Islamist militant group that originated in Afghanistan in the early 1990s and emerged from the civil war after the Soviet forces withdrew
The Age of Enlightenment
Was a cultural, intellectual, and philosophical movement that swept across Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries
Example of intersectionality of religion and politics in Ancient Greece
Greek city-states worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses, with religious rituals intertwined with political life
Features of Taliban Rule that oppresses Women
- Cannot work
- Cannot go to school
- Fully covered
- Male guardian to accompany them when leaving the house
- Rights are subordinated to men once married
What did Ayatollah Khomenei do in Iran
Established a Theocracy and Iran becomes a fundamentalist Islamic State
What is the goal of the Taliban?
To establish an Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, governed by their interpretation of Islamic law. This includes the imposition of strict moral codes of behavior, restrictions on personal freedoms, and the establishment of a government based on Islamic principles
The Sharia Law
Encompasses a range of legal and social regulations derived from their interpretation of Islamic texts, particularly the Quran and the Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad)
Example of intersectionality of religion and politics in Ancient Mesopotamia
Rulers like Hammurabi of Babylon claimed divine authority and based legal codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi, on religious principles
Example in class about "Blue Laws" (hint: modern day examples of activity restriction)
Blue laws restrict certain activities on Sundays which stem from religious traditions that observe Sunday as a day of rest and worship
Why was 22 year old Amini arrested on September 13, 2023 by the "mortality police"
For wearing inappropriate attire for a woman
What month, day and year did the Taliban gain complete takeover of Afghanistan
August 15, 2021