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Nouri al-Maliki Prime Minster of Iraq served his country under extremely difficult circumstances, trying to promote peaceful coexistence between three factions: the Kurds, Sunnis and Shia. He has balanced working with U.S. occupation forces while trying to maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries, most notably Iran. He was blamed for the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This fast-moving and brutal organization which began in July 2014. Al-Qa’ida,- was getting support from the Sunnis because of their discrimination in Iraq. Syria breaks into a civil war and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi leads Al Qa’ida and builds into a powerful army. (Sunni Vs. Shite) ISIS attacked Sinjar Mountain in northern Iraq, which stranded tens of thousands of Yazidis, an ethnic Kurdish religious minority, without food and water. The group has also been the target of ethnic cleansing campaigns by ISIS, with hundreds of Yazidis reportedly massacred as of August 2014. In late 2011, Al-Maliki abruptly declared his Sunni vice president, Tareq al-Hashimi, a terrorist, without any due process. He alienated a lot of Sunnis with this action. Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in capturing huge swaths of land in Iraq and Syria is even more surprising when you consider the scale of the lands captured in Iraq & Syria. Isis controls and operates with impunity in a great stretch of territory in western Iraq and eastern Syria, making it militarily the most successful jihadi movement ever. While its exact size is unclear, the group is thought to include thousands of fighters. The last "s" of "Isis" comes from the Arabic word "al-Sham", meaning Levant, Syria or occasionally Damascus, depending on the circumstances. Led since 2010 by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, it has proved itself even more violent and sectarian than what US officials call the “core” al-Qa’ida, led by Ayman alZawahiri, who is based in Pakistan. Isis is highly fanatical, killing Shia Muslims and Christians whenever possible, as well as militarily efficient and under tight direction by top leaders. The creation of a sort of proto-Caliphate by extreme jihadist in northern Syria and Iraq is provoking fears in surrounding countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey that they will become targets of battle-hardened Sunni fighters. Here is the oil and gas pipelines around Iraq's oil hub in Kirkuk which ISIL will gain control of (if allowed) ISLAM The Origins of Islam • Muhammad, a merchant whom Muslims believe was the last prophet, reported that he received messages from God. The religion he taught—Islam—drew many followers. • Muhammad ibn Abd Allah born 570 • Parents died, Muhammad raised by uncle, powerful clan leader • Grew up to have successful career in Mecca as merchant • Married to older woman at age 25, fathered seven children, all but one of whom died young • Met followers of Judaism, Christianity while traveling on business Muhammad’s Faith • Had always been religious man, but faiths of others probably also influenced Muhammad’s thinking • Took frequent spiritual retreats • Angel appeared to him during retreat, commanded him to speak messages from Allah • Muhammad disturbed by visitation, unsure of meaning • After more visits from angel, Muhammad concluded God had chosen him to be prophet The Revelations Messages • Among many messages from angel, Muhammad reported Allah one and only true and all-powerful God • Other messages, instructions on how to live to please Allah, live in paradise Public Preaching • Muhammad originally told only wife, few friends about experiences • Began to preach in public after about three years, attracted many followers • Some powerful Meccans did not accept teachings Safety • Many disliked Muhammad’s criticism of traditional beliefs in many gods • Only protection of uncle kept him safe • After uncle’s death Muhammad knew he and followers not safe in Mecca Sharing the Revelations Hegira • 622, Muhammad moved to Yathrib, came to be called Medina, “the Prophet’s City”; journey from Mecca to Medina came to be known as hegira • Later Muslims marked year of hegira as first year of Islamic calendar Building Faith • Muhammad spent decade building community of fellow believers • Called faith Islam, meaning “achieving peace through submission to God” • Followers known as Muslims Mecca • People of Mecca who wanted Muhammad stopped did not give up • Fought several battles with Muhammad, followers, ultimately lost ground • 630, Muhammad controlled Mecca, influence unmatched Basic Ideas of Islam • As Muhammad gained political power, revelations continued • Muhammad could not read, write; recited revelations • Followers memorized words, some wrote them down • Writings Muslims believe as direct revelations from God collected in Qur’an, sacred test of Islam Qur’an • Muslims read from Qur’an to hear Allah’s teachings • Seek religious experience in rhythm, beauty of words • Full meaning known only in original Arabic language • Translations not true representation Five Pillars of Islam • Five basic acts of worship central to Islam, Five Pillars of Islam • Profession of faith • Performance of five daily prayers • Giving of alms to poor, needy • Fasting during month of Ramadan • Make pilgrimage to Mecca Five Pillars of Islam Profession of Faith • “There is no god but God…” • By affirmation, Muslim signals acceptance of the faith • Denies existence of other gods, accepts Muhammad as prophet Giving Alms to Poor, Needy Five Daily Prayers • Worshippers say daily prayers five times during day • Always face Mecca to pray, no matter where they are Fasting During Ramadan • Muslims supposed to give percentage of income to charity • Muslims required to go without food, drink, dawn to dusk • Even those with little encouraged to help others • Ramadan when Muhammad began to report messages written down in Qur’an Mecca Pilgrimage to Mecca • Muslims physically, financially able required to go to Mecca • Journey called the hajj • Gather to pray in mosque • Perform various rituals, walk seven times around Kaaba • Climb Mount Arafat, site of Muhammad’s last sermon Guidelines for Behavior • Qur’an provides guidelines for moral behavior • Muslims may not eat pork, drink alcohol, must wash before praying • Qur’an prohibits murder, lying, stealing • Requires jihad, to defend Muslim community, also means “holy war” Sunna and Sharia • Record of Muhammad’s behavior, teachings known as Sunna, “tradition,” provides guidance in personal relationships, business • Muslim legal system known as Sharia, reflects various rules by which Muslims should live, outlines method of reasoning, argument for legal cases, made up of opinions, writings over several centuries People of the Book • Islam monotheistic like Jewish, Christian faiths • Islamic beliefs: • Allah the same as God in Jewish, Christian traditions • Abraham, Moses, Jesus messengers from God • Muhammad, last of God’s prophets • Qur’an represents God’s final message • Muslims told to respect Jews, Christians as “people of the book;” share tradition of prophets who taught, received God’s revelations Islam after Muhammad’s Death The death of Muhammad in 632 presented a challenge for the Muslim community. Who would lead the group and keep it unified? The answer affected the faith’s spread and its future. Muhammad’s Successors • Muhammad had not named successor • No clear candidate • Abu Bakr, close companion, early convert, chosen leader, called caliph, “successor” Priorities Expansion of Territory • Abu Bakr focused on bringing back bedouin tribes • Abu Bakr, successor Umar, expanded Muslim rule rapidly • Built strong Arab fighting forces to keep tribes under control • 637 early victory against Persian forces in Iraq • Reunified Arabia, led forces north • 642 victory over Persian Empire complete More Expansion More Expansion • After Iraq, Persia, Arab army faced wealthy Byzantine Empire to west • Byantines first lost Damascus, Syria, Jerusalem • 639, Byzantine province of Egypt fell; 642, rest of Nile Valley under Arab rule Empire • Only 10 years after Muhammad’s death, followers had created empire • Conquests continued under later caliphs • 661, caliphate stretched from northern Africa in west to Persia in East Internal Conflict and Division • Deep conflict within Muslim leadership, began with choice of Abu Bakr, caliph • Some had supported Muhammad’s cousin, Ali • 644, Ali lost again, to Uthman, supported by powerful Mecca clan Umayyad Civil War Ali’s Troubles • Umayyads had been Muhammad’s enemies, converted reluctantly, were unpopular Sunnis and Shias • Most Muslims accepted Umayyad caliph, Mu’awiya • Called Sunnis, “followers of the Sunna,” or “way of the Prophet” • Uthman killed by rebels • Ali became caliph, but troubles had just begun • Civil war broke out between Ali’s forces, Umayyad; Ali killed, Umayyad retook control • Ali’s supporters refused to go along with Umayyads. • Became known as the Shia, “party of Ali” The Shia and Imams Shia believed God had specially blessed Ali’s descendants • Ali’s descendants, Muhammad’s true heirs • Shia called each of Ali’s successors imam – Imam means “leader” – For the shia, only imams can interpret the Qur’an. Conflict • Conflict deepened between Sunni, Shia after deaths of Mu’awiya, Ali • Many thought Yazid, Mu’awiya’s son, successor, not a good Muslim • Muhammad’s grandson, Husayn, led rebellion against Yazid • Husayn, forces defeated in battle at Karbala, Iraq Further Division • Husayn killed while holding infant son, battle became known as the martyrdom of Husayn; split between Sunni, Shia has remained bitter • Third group developed within Islam—the Sufis • Sufis seek mystical, personal connection with God, using range of practices including breath control and meditation in rituals Find the Main Idea What was the result of the succession conflict? Answer(s): Two different Muslim groups emerged—the Sunni and the Shia The Umayyad Dynasty Under the Umayyad caliphs, Muslim rule spread. Internal problems weakened the Umayyads, though, and led to their fall. Continued Expansion • Umayyads strengthened rule after death of Husayn • Achievements: – Established Arabic as official language – Made coinage uniform throughout empire – Began first great work of Islamic architecture, Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem Military Conquests • Armies conquered territory to borders of China, Indus River Valley, to east • Took northern Africa, most of Spain, to west • Conquests spread Muslim faith, while allowing religious freedom for People of the Book; some restrictions, taxes for Non-Muslims however Ruling the Empire • Umayyads strengthened central government as caliphate grew in size • Arab Muslims became ruling class, with power, privilege unavailable to those they conquered • Creation of privileged class conflicted with strong Muslim ideal of equality • Wars over succession also upsetting to many faithful, unhappy with emphasis on political ambition End of the Umayyads • Displeasure with Umayyads widespread • Shia continued opposition • Also unrest among conquered people, some Arab tribes • Umayyads weakened by discontent, time ripe for rebellion Rebellion • Abbasids, led by descendant of Muhammad’s uncle, united many Umayyad opponents by appearing to support their causes • Abbasids wiped out Umayyads in series of battles, late 740s • Caliphate entered Abbasid dynasty Sequence What events brought about the end of the Umayyad dynasty? Answer(s): A family called the Abbasids took advantage of discontent with the Umayyads and established a new caliphate. The Abbasid Dynasty Baghdad Persian Influence • Abbasids relocated capital of caliphate; rulers lived in splendor • Move to Baghdad beginning of end of Arab domination of Muslim world • Chose Baghdad, on Tigris River, in present-day Iraq • Abbasids adopted Persian style of government Government Change in Islam • Rulers cut off from people • Nature of Islam changed • Caliph hidden behind screen in throne room, could not be seen • Abbasids invited all to join in, turned Islam into universal religion, attracted people of many cultures • Used Persian officials; vizier, deputy, oversaw affairs of state A Changing Culture Importance of Trade • Islam spread through trade • Muslim traders journeyed from end to end of caliphate, exchanging goods and information • Exchange brought Islam to West Africa, Southeast Asia Funding for Change • Trade helped fund cultural achievement • Most prominent Abbasid caliph, Harun al-Rashid, helped bring culture to great heights, 786 to 809 • Support of scholarship helped produce lasting achievements of Islamic arts, sciences Contrast How did the Abbasids differ from the Umayyads? Answer(s): The Abbasids focused more on prosperity and cultural advancement than on empire expansion. The End of Unity As early as the 800s, Abbasid political power weakened. By the 900s, a number of small, independent states broke away from the caliphate. Challenges from Europe Problems from Egypt • European Christians weakened Muslim rule • 969, serious threat, Fatimid dynasty established in Egypt • Christian armies began to drive Muslims out of Spain, 1000s • Claimed descent from Muhammad’s daughter Fatimah • European Christians began Crusades • From Egypt, controlled Mediterranean, Red Sea – Wanted to make Holy Land Christian, won at first – Muslims eventually retook Jerusalem • Disrupted Abbasid trade • Fatamids soon richer, more powerful than Abbasids Seljuk Turks and Others Seljuk Turks • Many non-Arabs among peoples of caliphate, including Turks • 1055, Turkish Seljuks rose to power, took control of Baghdad • Seljuks were Sunni Muslims, supported Abbasid caliph War Against Byzantine Empire • Seljuks defended Abbasids against Fatimids, went to war against Byzantine Empire, defeated Byzantines at Battle of Manzikert • Seljuks would go on to create own empire Mamluks and Mongols • 1200s, Mamluks took power in Egypt, Syria • 1258, Mongols destroyed Baghdad, killed Abbasid caliph; caliphate finished • Islam still a vital force, spread to India, Central and Southeast Asia