Religion And Politics The Middle East Essay - 1007 Words

Gerald Ankapong Professor Turner Poli 351 25 October 2016 Religion and Politics Religion plays a central role in Middle Eastern politics, in part because political struggles have for centuries been understood as religious conflicts and in part because of the intimate ties of the three Abrahamic faiths in the region. The middle east is the birthplace of the world’s three Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The fact that religion and politics have a long history in the Middle East does not mean that religion is always, or even most of the time, a crucial factor driving political conflicts. Most of the politics of the Middle East have been viewed by those inside and outside the region as driven by religious difference. From the Arab-Israeli conflict to the Iranian revolution to the emergence of extremist groups such as al-Qaeda, religion has indeed been at the center of major political struggles in the region, with regimes, opposition groups, and everyday citizens routinely. Religion is a vital part of daily life in every Middle Eastern country, informing the ways in which most ordinary citizens understand politics as well as their own place in the world. Today, the political left in Israel views the Israel state more as a protector of the Jewish community than as a strictly religious state. On the right, Zionism is broadly viewed as an effort to realize God’s intention that the Jewish people establish a Kingdom of God in that specific land. Today, JudaismShow MoreRelatedIslamic Fundamentalism is based on Islamic ideology. It is also seen as a group of religious800 Words   |  4 Pagesof religious ideologies trying to return to the fundamentals of Islam. Muslim Brotherhood started in Egypt in the year of 1928. Muslim Brotherhood is an anti-colonial, transnational Sunni Islamist movement, it is attempting to integrate Islam into politics and government. Members of the brotherhood believe the Quran and Sunnah should be the basis of the government (Johnson, 2014). Muslim Brotherhood is not only found in Egypt, it spreads over 60 countries to try to gain more people to the group. TheyRead MoreThe Middle East: The Birthplace of Three Major World Religions834 Words   |  4 Pagesin the Middle East. Throughout history, the Middle East has been a land of conflict and violence. Although it is difficult to pinpoint the source of all of this strife, one could argue that because the Middle East, especially Jerusalem, is a place of importance for three major world religions, this region is bound to have strained relationships. However, in order to fully understand this region, it is necessary to have an understanding of the three religions that lay claims to the Middle East. ThoseRead MoreReligious Conflicts Between Christians And Muslims930 Words   |  4 PagesThe symposium was very interesting as it brought many different views on the religious conflict going on in the Middle East as well as all over the world. The speakers discu ssed the religious conflicts between Christians and Muslims as well between different groups of Muslims. In this paper, I will summarize what I learned and give my analysis of the situation. Additionally, I will discuss a few things that I learned about the ISIS movement. The speakers each described a few important points thatRead MoreEssay on The Role of Religion in Foreign Policy1019 Words   |  5 PagesThe Role of Religion in Foreign Policy In order to best understand the role of religion in foreign policy, one needs to acknowledge that religion does play a role in foreign policy. However, the role religion plays in international relations is often overlooked. This omission of such an important factor that influences international politics in so many ways and on so many levels is detrimental and should be addressed (Fox, 2001:73). Religion influences internationalRead MoreThe United States And Invasion Of Afghanistan1327 Words   |  6 Pagesfull five stars on the BBC audit, declaring it a war based on religion. The Islamic State’s attack on September 11, 2001 cause the United States and its idea of democracy to assume the role of a symbolic religion. The United States took on the role of the enemy of the Islamic State due to their unwanted involvement in the Middle East. In the 1990’s the United States had desecrated mosques, which was an insult to the Muslim religion. The United States also aided in the formation of the state ofRead MoreTechnology And Transportation During The United East And Europe1114 Words   |  5 Pagesin 1984, Muslim leaders making religion priority around the 70s. -Russia w/ democracy -China combining politics and economics -Women’s roles in the work force changing for the better -US media surpasses India although lead in production of movies -Plowing equipment from China to Europe -Numbering system from India to Middle East and Europe -1970s and 1980s, Japanese copied and improved American assembly-line -Middle East (Mesopotamia, Persia), Mediterranean (Middle Eastern coast, North Africa,Read MoreThe Rise Of The Middle Ages Essay1259 Words   |  6 Pagesdid the actual ‘middle ages’ begin? Depending on who you talk to, you may receive many different answers varying from the deposition of Romulus Augustulus all the way to the rise of the Carolingian empire. I would argue the characteristics of the middle ages include a real shift in culture and religion, while seeing the dominant influence that Christianity had on culture. Personally, I think that the reign of the emperor Constantine is what really began the shift into the middle ages. Under ConstantineRead MoreThe Arab Spring Is A Term For A Series Of Protests, And Uprisings Essay1605 Words   |  7 Pagesis a term for a series of protests, and uprisings within the Middle East dating back to 2010. Some of the conditions in the Arab world on the eve of the Arab Uprisings include things such as the persistence of author itarianism, high poverty and unemployment rates, and youth disenfranchisement. In regards to the persistence of authoritarianism, there are â€Å"5 major reasons that authoritarian governments were able to survive in the Middle East for so long. These include (1) the maintenance of fiscal healthRead MoreThe Rise Of Terrorist Groups During The Middle East1328 Words   |  6 PagesJason Wang Mrs. Ma 10 Acc. English 7 April 2015 The Rise of Terrorist Groups in the Middle East. The Middle East has been an area of conflict and religious extremism for the latter half of the twentieth century and it is expected to continue to be a region of conflict in the future. Why is it that terrorist groups constantly emerge and dominate for a period of time before steadily declining, only to be replaced by a different, equally or even more inhumane, splinter group? Saudi Arabian â€Å"Wahhabism†Read MoreSunni Shia Conflict Essay857 Words   |  4 Pagesinterpretation of the Qur’an and allows for no other versions of Islam, like Shiism (StevenAU 2004). Iran has long been defined as the central power of Shiism especially following the 1979 Islamic revolution. Both nations are capable of polarizing the Middle East. The Saudis are allied with other Gulf monarchies, Jordan, parts of Northern Africa, and Morocco under Sunni guidance. Iran is connected to Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and involved with groups like Hezbollah under Shia guidance (Uncovered 2013). This