North Africa Middle East: Eurocentric term for eastern Mediterranean; commonly used Islamic World: implies unity of believers Also ignores non-muslims Arab: refers to ethnicity Muslim: refers to believer in Islam Climate Driest region in world On margins of deserts, enough rain for limited agriculture, herding Landforms and Vegetation Some mountains induce orographic effect African and Arabian plates moving apart, creating rift (Red Sea) Major deserts: Sahara, Rub al Khali Three major rivers: Nile, Tigris, Euphrates Numerous wadis (seasonal rivers) The Emergence of Gender Roles Development of agriculture created gender roles Wealth and property emerge Therefore, inheritance required controlling of women s bodies Confined to domestic duties to prevent confusion of lines of descent The Coming of Monotheism Judaism: 4000 years old; founded by Abraham Led followers to Promised Land (Eastern Med.) Later dispersed around the world in Diaspora Christianity: 2,000 years old; based on teachings of Jesus Outgrowth of Judaism Islam: dominant religion of region 1300 years old; based on word of God given to Muhammad; outgrowth of Judaism and Christianity The Spread of Islam Islam spread quickly, carried by Arab Bedouin Conquered Southwest Asia, North Africa, Iberia Islamic law implemented in Arab parts of empire; local law retained in non-arab parts of empire Relatively tolerant of Jews and Christians Established centers of learning in Baghdad, Damascus, Alexandria, Fez, and Toledo Fragmentation of empire after 1000 AD Ottomans, Mughals Continued spread of Islam through trade Western Domination and State Formation In 1830, France colonized Algeria Tunisia in 1881, Morocco in 1907 In 1882, Britain colonized Egypt and Sudan Governance known as a protectorate Local rulers remained in place, but real power rested with European officials Land ownership centralized in those favorable to European power 1
Western Domination and State Formation After WWI, the Ottoman Empire collapsed France and Britain took power over former Ottoman territories Syria and Lebanon mandated to France Iraq, Palestine, Jordan, Gulf States mandated to Britain Saudi Arabia created out of various tribes After WWII, the U.S. supported authoritarian governments that favored U.S. policies Dependency on U.S. support to rule over discontented masses Creation of Israel on Palestinian Lands Zionism: Jewish nationalism; began buying land in Palestine in late 1800s After WWII, refugees of Holocaust provided land in Palestine, historical home (1900 yrs prior) UN partitioned Palestine between Arabs and Jews Arabs rejected plan, Jews accepted and created Israel (1949) Population Patterns Vast desert regions force dense populations into small areas near coasts, rivers, and moist uplands Rapid population growth: fertility rate of 3.5, compared to global average of 2.7 Demand for new jobs to keep up with growth Fewer than 50% of women work outside the home; if that changes, even more jobs needed Low contraception use, but increasingly promoted Gender Roles and Population Growth Gender inequality leads to continued high fertility in urban environments Without other access to wealth or prestige, producing children seen as way for women to contribute Continued production of children until desired number of boys is achieved Migration and Urbanization Emigration to Europe is significant Counter-trend: immigration to Arabian oil states Demand for skilled labor Preference for Muslims Counter-trend: immigration to Israel Promotion of Jewish immigrants Refugees Millions of refugees, from: Palestinian/Israeli conflict (4 million in Jordan) 1991 Iraq War (700,000 in Jordan) Conflict in Afghanistan (1 million in Iran) Internal refugees: 5-6 million in Sudan, 2 million in Iraq Refugee camps: Semi-permanent communities of stateless people Poverty, despair; high birth rate, unemployment 2
Religion in Daily Life Over 93% of population is Muslim Saudi Arabia: 2 of 3 main Muslim shrines Sunni Islam: major sect, 85% of Muslims Shi ite Islam: found in Iran, southern Iraq, southern Lebanon Role of Religion in Society Debate over relation between religion and state Theocratic states vs. Secular States Gender Roles and Gender Spaces Public space: town square, commercial areas Men s space Women s space Only men from family allowed in interior Women not supposed to be in public unaccompanied Implementation depends on class, local custom Female seclusion predates Islam Some steps towards improved gender status Fight against honor killings Polygyny: multiple wives for one man Not common (4% of North African men) The Oil Economy Some of the world s largest oil and natural gas reserves (Persian Gulf) OPEC: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Led to infrastructure investment Lack of investment in basic human resources Huge income disparity Agriculture and Herding Agriculture: in some countries over 30% of labor force relies on agriculture Confined to coastal areas, river valleys, Mediterranean climate Salinization: high rates of evaporation ruining future agriculture Herding: mainstay of historical economy (camels, sheep) Rise of national borders has limited migrant herders Water supplies diverted to irrigation, urban areas Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Began with Israeli independence (1948) Wars in 1967, 1973 Israel defeated neighbors, took territory (West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights) Palestinians fled to refugee camps Some became Israeli citizens (second-class citizens) Intifada: periodic uprisings by Palestinians Opposition to settlements, walls, etc. Land-for-Peace: idea that occupied territories will be returned for peaceful co-existence Israeli-Palestinian Conflict 2005: some progress with withdrawal of some Israeli settlements 2006: election of Hamas cools relations Hamas: Former military organization and political party; has conceded Israel s right to exist Rebellion by other Palestinian organizations against Hamas, Israel Numerous peace strategies enacted by common citizens 3
Islamism and Democracy Islamism: seen as major threat to political stability and economic development Islamist parties draw from disaffected Often well-educated Differing views Saudi Arabia, Iran: Islamist governments Egypt, Algeria: governmental suppression of Islamists Jordan, Tunisia, Oman: redistributing power to head off resentment fueling Islamism Reform efforts from within the Arab Community Arab Human Development Reports: frank discussion of human development in Arab world Lack of human freedoms, women s rights, access to knowledge Promotion of democratic institutions, education Progressive Arab states: Morocco, Jordan, and Qatar Water Availability Water conservation a cultural trait because of historical lack Shaded buildings; qanats (underground aqueducts); public baths However, modernization has increased usage Plumbing, industrial cooling and cleaning, irrigation In Tunisia, agriculture is 14% of GDP but uses 88% of water Water Availability Dams and reservoirs built to increase supply Threatens agriculture downstream Contributes to mosquito-based disease Desalination plants Create air pollution International conflict results rivalry Rapid population growth leads to increased demand Water Issues in the Palestine-Israel Dispute If Israel gives up the West Bank it gives up water rights to the aquifer recharge area for the region Currently, Palestinians banned from sinking wells Israel argues more desalination plants should be created to solve lack of water resources Desertification: ecological changes that create deserts Loss of soil moisture, vegetation Erosion of soil, creation of sand dunes Globally, one West Virginia becomes desert every year Cattle ranchers: sometimes overgraze Urban populations: deplete groundwater 4
1/3 of countries in region have above average GDP Oil countries plus Israel However, HDI indicates gross inequality Lack of access to education Israel: only country with high HDI GDI: small number of women participate in policy making or other leadership positions GEM data unavailable 5