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Religious & Ethnic Groups
in
Southwest Asia
Grade 7 Social Studies
What is a Religious Group?
A religious group is a group of people
who choose to have the same belief about
how the world was created, who created
the world, and rules that people should
live by.
What is an Ethnic Group?
An ethnic group is a group of people
whose members identify with each other,
through a common heritage, consisting of
a common language, a common culture
(often including a common religion), and a
tradition of common ancestry.
So…What is the difference between a
Religious Group and an
Ethnic Group?
1.
2.
Members of a religious group have made a
choice to be a part of a religious belief system.
A person belongs to a religious group based
upon what he or she believes about life and
God.
Members of an ethnic group were often born
into that group. A person belongs to an ethnic
group based upon ancestry and culture, not
because of a choice he or she made.
How are the three predominant
religions in Southwest Asia alike and
different?
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The three predominant religions in Southwest Asia are
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
They are all based upon monotheism, a belief in one
god.
They each have a location where the religion was
founded.
They each have a sacred text, or book, which is at the
core of its faith. Each book is a collection of writings
compiled over time.
They each have believers.
They each have basic beliefs.
How are the three predominant
religions in Southwest Asia alike?
Christianity / Judaism / Islam
a god
a founder
a location where it was founded
a religious text
believers
basic beliefs
How are the three predominant
religions in Southwest Asia different?
As you learn about the three predominant
religions in Southwest Asia, fill in your
“Comparison of 3 Religions” table.
The information on the table, will be on your
test!!
What is Christianity?
Who is worshiped? God / Jesus
 Who is the founder? Jesus
 When was it founded? 8-4 BC
 Where was it founded? Israel (Palestine)
 What is their religious text? the Bible
 What are its believers called? Christians
 What are its basic beliefs?

Jesus is the Messiah or Savior
What is Judaism?

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Who is worshiped? Yahweh
Who is the founder? Abraham
When was it founded? 2000 BC
Where was it founded? Mesopotamia
What is their building of worship? Synagogue
 What is their religious text? Torah
 What are its believers called? Jews
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What are its basic beliefs?
God made a covenant with Abraham that his
descendants would be as numerous as the stars and that
they would always have the land of Canaan.
What is Islam?
Who is worshiped? Allah
 Who is the founder? Muhammad
 When was it founded? About 600 AD
 Where was it founded? Mecca, Saudi Arabia
 What is their religious text? Koran-Qur’an
 What are its believers called? Muslims
 What are its basic beliefs?

Five Pillars: 1) Shahada-faith in one god (Allah) ;2)
Salat-prayer; 3) Zakat-giving alms (giving to the poor);
4) Ramadan-fasting (no eating or drinking); and 5) Hajjpilgrimage (trip to Mecca)
Let’s Check Our Table!
JUDAISM
CHRISTIANITY
ISLAM
Who is
Worshiped?
Yahweh
God / Jesus
Allah
Founder?
Abraham
Jesus
Muhammad
When
Founded?
2000 BC
8-4 BC
About 600 AD
Where
Founded?
Mesopotamia
Israel
(Palestine)
Mecca, Saudi
Arabia
Religious Text?
Torah
Jews
God made a
covenant with
Abraham, etc.
Bible
Christians
Jesus is the
Messiah or
Savior
Koran-Qur’an
Muslim
Five Pillars
(listed and
explained)
Believers?
Basic Beliefs?
How are the three predominant
religions in Southwest Asia alike and
different?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Read each EdHelper article about the religions and
answer the discussion questions that follow.
Read Lesson 16: Origins of Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam in the Coach Book and answer the questions
that follow. (pp.102-107)
Make a compare and contrast map to show the
similarities and differences among the three religions.
Go to Global Connections Interactive Website to learn
more: Global Connections _ Middle East Religion,
Ethnic Groups, and Language Distribution PBS.mht
What are the Predominant Ethnic
Groups in Southwest Asia?
Arabs
Persians
Kurds
You will make a table explaining the
differences between these ethnic
groups.
Location
Arabs
Persians
Kurds
Religion
Language
What are the Characteristics of
Arabs?
Where do they live?
Middle East & North Africa
Most live in western Saudi Arabia.
They are the largest populated group in the region.
What religion do most follow?
Mostly Islam (Sunni Islam & Shi’a Islam) but small
numbers practice other religions
What language do they speak?
Mostly Arabic
What are the Characteristics of
Persians?
Where do they live?
Middle East
Most live in Iran.
What religion do most follow?
Mostly Islam: Shi’a Muslim, Sunni, and other religions
What language do they speak?
Persian or Farso
What are the Characteristics of
Kurds?
Where do they live?
Middle East
Includes southeastern Turkey, northeastern Syria,
northern Iraq, western Iran, and Azerbaijan and
Armenia
What religion do most follow?
Mostly Islam: Less strict Muslims
What language do they speak?
Kurdish
Let’s Check Our Table.
Location
Religion
Language
Arabs
Middle East &
North Africa
(western Saudi
Arabia)
Mostly
Islam
Mostly
Arabic
Persians
Middle East
(Iran)
Mostly Islam
(Shi’a Muslim,
Sunni)
Persian
or Farso
Kurds
Middle East
Turkey, etc.)
Mostly Islam
(Less strict
Muslims)
Kurdish
Who are the Sunni and Shia Muslims?
The word “Sunni” means: one who
follows the traditions of the Prophet
Muhammad.
 The Sunni Muslims believe that leaders
following Muhammad should be elected
from those that are capable of doing the
job.
 This is, in fact, how Muslim leaders are
chosen.

Who are the Sunni and Shia Muslims?
The word “Shia” means: a group of
supportive party of the people.
 The Shia Muslims believe that leaders
following Muhammad should have stayed
within the Prophet Muhammad’s family.
 Because this is not how Muslim leaders
are chosen, Shia Muslims do not recognize
Muslim authority.
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So…Why are the Sunni and Shia
Muslims divided?
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The Sunni Muslims make up the majority
(85%) of Muslims all over the world.
Although the Sunni and Shia Muslims
share a common faith, they are divided
due to the disagreement among who
should lead the Muslim faith.
Sunni: Leaders should be elected.
Shia: Leadership is a birthright.