Middle Eastern Studies Quiz 2 (SECTION 1 - IMPORTANT TERMS)

Who are Arabs?

A cultural/linguistic group united by Arabic; majority in the Middle East.

Who are Persians?

A major ethnic group predominantly found in Iran, sharing a common language (Persian) and rich cultural heritage.

Who are Turks?

A significant ethnic group primarily found in Turkey, speaking Turkish and having a diverse cultural history.

Who are Kurds?

An ethnic group mainly inhabiting parts of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, known for their distinct language (Kurdish) and cultural traditions.

Who are Nubians?

An ethnic group native to the Nile Valley region, primarily in southern Egypt and northern Sudan, known for their unique culture and history.

Who are Imazighen?

An indigenous ethnic group of North Africa, primarily in Morocco and Algeria, known for their distinct Berber languages and rich cultural traditions.

Who are Copts?

An ethnic group primarily found in Egypt, descendant from ancient Egyptians, known for their Christian faith and distinctive culture.

Who are Maronites?

An ethnoreligious group primarily located in Lebanon, descended from ancient Phoenicians, known for their distinct Christian faith and cultural heritage.

Who are the Alawis?

A religious minority primarily found in Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey, the Alawis are an offshoot of Shia Islam, known for their unique beliefs and practices.

Who are Armenians?

Christian ethnic group across Middle East (Lebanon, Iran, Syria).

Who are Ashkenazi Jews?

Jews of European descent.

Who are Mizrahi Jews?

Jews from Middle Eastern/North African regions.

What does "Haredi" mean?

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities.

What is the hijab?

Headscarf worn for modesty in many Muslim cultures.

What is Islamism?

Political ideology seeking Islamic principles in governance.

What is “radical empathy”?

Deeply imagining the experiences of others to understand their perspectives.

What is antisemitism?

Prejudice/hostility toward Jews; shaped European history.

What is Zionism?

Jewish nationalist movement supporting a homeland in Palestine.

What did the Balfour Declaration say (1917)?

Britain supported a Jewish national home in Palestine.

What was the Holocaust?

Nazi genocide of 6 million Jews; increased support for a Jewish state.

What is the Nakba (1948)?

Mass displacement of ~700,000 Palestinians during Israel’s creation.

What happened in the 1967 war?

Israel captured West Bank, Gaza, Sinai, Golan Heights.

What were the Camp David Accords?

1978 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

What is the Intifada?

Palestinian uprisings against Israeli rule (1987, 2000).