Persian Gulf and Interior

People and Language

• Islam is the main religion of this region.

• Arabic is the most common language because the Qur’an is written in Arabic.

• Other ethnicities of the region: Kurds, Baloch, Bakhtiari, and Hazara.

People and Languages

• Kurds are Muslim, just not Arabic.

• Farsi is the language used by most of Iran’s Persians.

• Kurds, Baloch, Bakhtiari, and Hazara speak languages related to Farsi.

People and Languages

• Because the ethnicities of Iran and Afghanistan are so different, the cultural diversity is complex.

• Afghanistan’s main ethnic group is the Pastritan, which are tribes that speak Pushtu

Focus on Culture;Religion and Society

• Sunni choose their Imams, religious leaders, mainly to lead prayers.

• Shia only allow those related to Muhammad the prophet to be their Imams.

• 90% of all Muslims are Sunnis, 10% are Shia.

• Sunni is found anywhere Islam is practiced.

• Shi’ism is only found in Iran, southern Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon.

Focus on Culture;Religion and Society

The Region TodayEconomic Development

• Oil and Gas Production are the main economic industries along the Persian Gulf.

• It is hard to farm the area because of the dry, rugged landscape.

• Barley and wheat are the most common crops.

Economic Development

• Bedouins are nomadic herders that move their camels, goats, or sheep when the seasons change.

• Modern manufacturing is limited but focuses on building materials, food products, and other supplies.

The Region TodayUrban Environments

• Old- narrow streets for walking, market places called bazaar, and a neighborhood mosque near the city.

• New- air conditioned shopping malls, modern styled buildings, and cars are used.

The Region TodayGovernments, Issues, and Challenges

• Saudi Arabia is a vital member of OPEC (organization of Petroleum Exporting countries), which influences oil prices by controlling supply.

Government, Issues, and Challenges

• In 1979, Iran’s monarchy was ruled over by ayatollahs, religious leaders of the highest authority among Shia Muslims and is now a theocracy.

• Iraq was dictated by Saddam Hussein, who used the country’s oil revenues to build a large military.

Government, Issues, and Challenges

• Under Hussein’s rule, Iraq invaded Iran in 1980 and Kuwait in 1990 wanting oil.

• A group of countries led by the U.S. pushed back Iraqi forces in 1991, which was known as the Persian Gulf War.

• In 2003, the U.S. led an invasion of Iraq, because of its continued resistance to inspections and violations of UN rules.

• The Iraqi forces were defeated and Saddam Hussein was captured

Government, Issues, and Challenges

Government, Issues, and Challenges

• A group called the Taliban came to power in the 1990’s and were driven by an extreme version of Sunni Islam.

• The U.S. and allied forces attacked terrorist camps and Taliban military targets after September 11th (because they aided the terrorists)

• A loyal jirga, a traditional council, with representatives from all ethnic groups was held in June 2002.

• Hamid Karzai was elected as Afghanistan’s president.

• The loyal jirga adopted a new presidential system of government with a parliament.

Government, Issues, and Challenges

Government, Issues, and Challenges

• Now, women have more educational and economical opportunities.

• As a result, population growth rates are often high and large families are common

• The importance of oil in global trade has given the oil-rich countries much economic and political power