Middle East Vocab Flashcards
Unlimited Government
A government that does not have effective control over the power of its rulers.
Islam
A monotheistic religion in which Muhammad is the prophet who spoke the word of Allah.
Judaism
A monotheistic religion of the ancient Hebrews who believe they are God’s chosen people.
Christianity
A monotheistic religion based on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus Christ.
Coup d’état
The violent overthrow of an existing government by a small group, like a military.
Revolution
A successful overthrow and replacement of an established government by the people governed.
Ayatollah
A Shiite religious leader in Iran.
Caliph
The chief Muslim civil and religious ruler; successor of Muhammad.
Refugee
A person who flees their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
Arab
Ethnic group inhabiting the Arabian Peninsula.
Ottoman Empire
A former Turkish empire that reigned throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa.
Sykes-Picot Agreement
Secret convention during World War I between Great Britain and France where the Middle Eastern borders were redrawn.
The Holocaust
Genocide of 6 million Jewish people under Hitler’s Nazi Germany.
Secular
Not based on religion.
Non-Secular
Based on religion.
ISIS/ISIL
Acronym for The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Group of Sunni Muslims whose goal is to create a strict Islamic caliphate in the Middle East
Zionist Movement
A movement for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel. It was established as a political organization in 1897.
Region
An area or division of a country or continent that has definable characteristics but not always fixed boundaries.
Sunni
One of two branches of Islam; believe that Muhammad’s advisor (Abu Bakr) was next in line to rule.
Shiite/Shia
One of two branches of Islam; believe that Muhammad’s son-in-law (Ali) was next in line to rule.
Diaspora
The scattering of Jewish people after the Roman expulsion from Jerusalem (early 100 AD); ethnic Jewish communities living outside of Israel.
Arab Spring
A series of anti-government uprisings affecting Arab countries in North Africa and the Middle East, like Egypt and Saudi Arabia, beginning in 2010.
Hijab
A head covering worn in public by some Muslim women. Usually covers the head and chest.
Hamas
A non-secular terror group in control of Gaza. They do not believe in Israel’s right to exist and want a pre-1948 Palestine.
Gaza
Palestinian area in Israel; occupied by Israel 1967-1994, under Palestinian self-rule since 1994.
