Study the Muslim World

The Muslim World

All the notes on this page are based on chapter 4 of this textbook: Pathways: Civilizations Through Time by Michael Cranny (PrenticeHall, 1997).

Use the information on this page to complete one or more of the following assignments:

1.  Make mindmaps
• categorized notes in diagram form
• each section colour-coded
2. Write paragraphs
• include topic and concluding sentences
• use correct English with some vivid language to add interest
3. Create a speech
• include a catchy introduction and memorable ending
• include three main sections of information
4. Draw a map
• include a title and north indicator
• use colour and neat printing
• make a key, if necessary to add extra details

A. Page 107-108:
The Middle East is a political term for a geographical area that includes parts of Europe, Asia and Africa.
vast    many  countries
Asia:   Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Quatar, Bahrain, Turkey, Syria
Africa: Egypt
Europe: Cyprus

B. Page 108 and 116:
Three religions all started in the Middle East.
Christianity
Judaism
Islam in 610 C.E.
many wars including the Crusades

C. Page 108, 110, 111, 119, 120, 129, 130:
There have been many Middle East conflicts over the centuries.
copnquered by Romans in ancient times
fighting over who should be the Muslim leader in the 7th century
Turkish nomads attached in 10th century
Crusades brought Christians  in 11th century
Turks conquered Constantinople in 15th century
Israelis versus Palestinians nowadays

D. Page 116:
Islam was started by the prophet Mohammad.
born in Mecca    orphan at 6 years of age    lived with poor relatives
married and became a trader and manager
610 C.E.   meditated and prayed
revelations from God    angel Gabriel
submission to the will of God      belief in one God

E. Page 113-114: Geography
Landforms
– deserts:
– Saudi Arabia
– mountains:
– Turkey
– Iran
– northern Iraq
– oases
– rivers:
– Nile
– Tigris and Euphrates
Climate
– dry
– hot summers and cool winters
Crops
– fruit:
– oranges
– figs
– dates
– olives
– vegetables
– wheat

F. Page 107: Muslim World
Asia
– Arabia:
– Medina
– Mecca
– Jidda
– east coast of Mediterranean:
– Damascus
– Jerusalem
– modern Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan
– Kabul
Africa
– Egypt
– Cairo
– modern Morroco, Libya and Tunisia
– Tripoli
– Tunis
Europe
– Spain
– Cordoba
– Granada
– Seville
– parts of modern Italy
– Greece
– modern Turkey
– Constantinople

G. Page 117-118: Pillars of Islam
1. Declare Faith in God
– say aloud: ‘There is no God but God and he has no partners.’
– that makes a person a Muslim
2. Pray
– wash ahead of time
– pray at 5 specific times every day
– face Mecca
– clear mind of any bad thoughts
3. Be Charitable
– give to the poor
4. Fast
– during month of Ramadan
– don’t eat during daylight hours
5. Visit Mecca
– trip is a pilgrimage
– visit this city at least once in life

H. Page 120: Trade Routes
East Indies
(islands north of Australia)
– spices
– camphor
China
– silks
– drugs
– perfumes
– porcelain
– ginger
Sri Lanka
(south of India)
– cinnamon
– precious stones
– ivory
East Africa
– gold
– ivory

I. Page 123-124: Cities
location
– on important trade routes
– in good farming areas
– near good water sources
– biggest: Damascus and Baghdad
– Baghdad: almost 1 million people
Cordoba, Spain
– 400,000 people
– 700 mosques
– many libraries and public baths
– universities
learning
– valued by Muslims
– medicine and science studied
– ancient Greek books translated
– Greek reasoning admired
– famous doctor: Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
– wrote a medical textbook
– text used for 600 yrs.
– it is still used in parts of Asia
– one of the 1st to write about
anesthesia
wealthy
– rich people paid for artwork
– many expensive things:
– silk fabric
– delicate glassware
– jewellery
– fancy carpets
– perfumed soaps
– brass, silver and gold objects
layout
– surrounded by walls
– rich people:
– near the centre
– away from noisy areas
– trees and gardens
– near the palace or market
– workshops:
– tanneries
– silversmiths
– wood shops
– poor people by the walls
– temporary housing for traders

 This page may be copied for use with students if the following credit is provided:
©2012 Sophie Rosen.

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