Middle East Vocab

Question 1

Unlimited Government

Answer 1

A government that does not have effective control over the power of its rulers.

Question 2

Islam

Answer 2

A monotheistic religion in which Muhammad is the prophet who spoke the word of Allah.

Question 3

Judaism

Answer 3

A monotheistic religion of the ancient Hebrews who believe they are God’s chosen people.

Question 4

Christianity

Answer 4

A monotheistic religion based on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus Christ.

Question 5

Coup d’état

Answer 5

The violent overthrow of an existing government by a small group, like a military.

Question 6

Revolution

Answer 6

A successful overthrow and replacement of an established government by the people governed.

Question 7

Ayatollah

Answer 7

A Shiite religious leader in Iran.

Question 8

Caliph

Answer 8

The chief Muslim civil and religious ruler; successor of Muhammad.

Question 9

Refugee

Answer 9

A person who flees their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Question 10

Arab

Answer 10

Ethnic group inhabiting the Arabian Peninsula.

Question 11

Ottoman Empire

Answer 11

A former Turkish empire that reigned throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa.

Question 12

Sykes-Picot Agreement

Answer 12

Secret convention during World War I between Great Britain and France where the Middle Eastern borders were redrawn.

Question 13

The Holocaust

Answer 13

Genocide of 6 million Jewish people under Hitler’s Nazi Germany.

Question 14

Secular

Answer 14

Not based on religion.

Question 15

Non-Secular

Answer 15

Based on religion.

Question 16

ISIS/ISIL

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Zionist Movement

Answer 17

A movement for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel. It was established as a political organization in 1897.

Question 18

Region

Answer 18

An area or division of a country or continent that has definable characteristics but not always fixed boundaries.

Question 19

Sunni

Answer 19

One of two branches of Islam; believe that Muhammad’s advisor (Abu Bakr) was next in line to rule.

Question 20

Shiite/Shia

Answer 20

One of two branches of Islam; believe that Muhammad’s son-in-law (Ali) was next in line to rule.

Question 21

Diaspora

Answer 21

The scattering of Jewish people after the Roman expulsion from Jerusalem (early 100 AD); ethnic Jewish communities living outside of Israel.

Question 22

Arab Spring

Answer 22

A series of anti-government uprisings affecting Arab countries in North Africa and the Middle East, like Egypt and Saudi Arabia, beginning in 2010.

Question 23

Hijab

Answer 23

A head covering worn in public by some Muslim women. Usually covers the head and chest.

Question 24

Hamas

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Gaza

Answer 25

Palestinian area in Israel; occupied by Israel 1967-1994, under Palestinian self-rule since 1994.