Key Events and Concepts in Middle Eastern History

Oasis

Fertile area in a desert, supporting life.

Ottomans

Turkish empire lasting from 1299 to 1922.

Passover

Jewish holiday commemorating Exodus from Egypt.

Persia

Ancient empire located in modern-day Iran.

Phoenicians

Ancient civilization known for trade and alphabet.

PLO

Palestine Liberation Organization, seeking Palestinian statehood.

Qesas crime

Retributive justice in Islamic law.

Qudi

Islamic judge interpreting Sharia law.

Rabbi

Jewish religious leader and teacher.

Ramadan

Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer.

Safavids

Persian dynasty known for establishing Shia Islam.

Saladin

Muslim leader during the Crusades, known for chivalry.

Salat

Islamic ritual prayer performed five times daily.

Satrap

Governor of a province in ancient Persia.

Sawn

Fasting during Ramadan from dawn to dusk.

Seljuks

Turkic dynasty that controlled parts of the Middle East.

Shahada

Islamic declaration of faith, stating monotheism.

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith.

Shia/Shiite

Branch of Islam believing in leadership by Ali's descendants.

Suez Canal Crisis

1956 conflict over control of the Suez Canal.

Suleiman the Magnificent

Ottoman sultan known for territorial expansion and reforms.

Sumerians

Ancient civilization in Mesopotamia, credited with writing.

Sunni

Branch of Islam following the majority consensus.

Tazir crime

Minor offenses under Islamic law, with discretionary punishment.

Temple/Synagogue

Jewish places of worship and community gathering.

TeNaKh

Hebrew Bible, consisting of Torah, Prophets, Writings.

Theocracy

Government system where priests rule in God's name.

Umayyids

First Islamic dynasty, expanding the caliphate significantly.

UN Partition Plan of Palestine

1947 proposal to divide Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.

Urban II

Pope who initiated the First Crusade in 1095.

Yom Kippur War

1973 conflict between Israel and Arab states.

Zakat

Islamic almsgiving, one of the Five Pillars.

Ziggurat

Massive structure built in ancient Mesopotamia for worship.

Zionism

Movement for the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland.

Zoroastrianism

Ancient Persian religion emphasizing dualism and fire worship.

1948 War

Conflict leading to Israel's independence and Arab displacement.

Balfour Declaration

1917 statement supporting a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Five Pillars of faith

Core beliefs and practices in Islam.

Hadith

Recorded sayings and actions of Prophet Mohammed.

hajj

Mandatory pilgrimage to Mecca, performed annually.

Intifada II

2000 Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.

Koran

Holy book of Islam, containing revelations to Mohammed.

Millets

Autonomous religious communities within the Ottoman Empire.

caliph

Religious leader in Islam, considered a successor to Mohammed.

Crusaders

European knights who fought in the Holy Land.