Central Asia Muslim Countries
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Transcript of Central Asia Muslim Countries
Central Asia Muslim Countries
Ms. MitchellCultural RevolutionsAndover High School
Table of Contents Turkey Afghanistan Iraq Iran Saudi Arabia Pakistan Syria
Turkey
Stuck Between East and West
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
First President of the Republic of Turkey
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Rose to power after WWI. Was a military hero at the Battle of Gallipoli—the
only Ottoman victory against Allied forces 1919 National liberation struggle 1923 Republic of Turkey First president of the Republic President for 15 years, until his death in 1938
Religious to Secular Ottoman Empire was a theocracy, ruled by a sultan
since 1571 Ataturk ordered the National Assembly to turn to a
secular state Moved the capital to Ankara
Ataturk’s Reforms Outlawed the fez Banned the veil Allowed women to vote and hold office Banned polygamy Religion of state no longer Islam Muslim calendar replaced by European Latin letters replaced Arabic characters Qur’an translated to Turkish
Dragging Turkey to the Modern World
Replaced Sharia (Islamic) Law with secular civil code Converted state owned factories into private Established a rail network Instituted education reforms. Literacy rates rose from
20% to 90%
“For the people, in spite of the people”
Ataturk’s Slogan
Continued Tensions Kemalists (secularists) fear democracy will allow
religion to rule the state again. Islamists do not want government to overrule Muslim
religion. Turkish people feel they have to choose between
their religion and their government.
The Veil Today Despite the ban, there was a rise of women wearing
head scarves in schools in the 1970s and 1980s. 1984: First widespread application of the ban came into
effect. 1997: Laws interpreted to be applied to all educational
institutions—not just state owned. All universities must comply.
2000: Nuray Bezirgan, wore a veil during her final exams in university. Sentenced to six months in ail for “obstructing the education of others.” European Court of Human Rights has upheld the ban several times.
Veil, continued Prime Minister Erdogan won a Parliamentary campaign in
2007 with the promise to end the ban. Feb. 2008: Turkish Parliament passed an amendment to the
constitution allowing women to wear the headscarf in university
June 2008: Turkish Constitutional Court overrules/annuls the amendment citing it as a violation of the founding principles of the constitution. This decision cannot be appealed.
2010: Headscarves informally permitted. Educational institutions won’t take action against women wearing the veil but still look down upon it.
Turkey and the European Union
Applied for admission In a long limbo, waiting to find out Might be up to 10 years before the application is approved
(2015) Many perks for Turkey such as open borders, financial aid,
etc. All EU participants must unanimously vote to admit Turkey Not looking great as of December 2011 (71% against
admission)
Turkey and the EUPro
Key regional power, large economy, second largest military force of NATO
Key geographic location for access to resources
Sweden, UK
Cons “Too far” outside Europe Enlargement Issues—if
they let Turkey in, who’s next?
Austria, Germany, France
Afghanistan
Geography and People Landlocked. Slightly smaller than Texas Major issue facing the country is a lack of fresh, drinkable
water, coupled with overgrazing and desertification. The result is little water to drink or farm and an inability to produce enough food.
Kabul = capital 99% Muslim (80 Sunni/ 19% Shite) 97.6% of population under age 65 28.1% literacy rate and schooling expectancy of 7-11
years (female/male)
Government & Economy Universal suffrage at age 18 Mixed legal system of customary, civil, and Islamic
law Democratically elected president for 5 year term,
option for a second term Pressures on the government: religious groups, tribal
leaders, ethnically based groups, and the Taliban One of the lowest living standards in the world
Brief History Founded in 1747 Won independence from Britain in 1919 Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the
Communist regime Soviet Union withdrew in 1989 after attacks and
pressures from anti-Communist mujahedin rebels US covertly supported the mujahedin (moo-jah-deen)
Fell to the Taliban in 1996
Brief History, cntd. After 2001 terrorist attacks on America, a US, Allied,
and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban
Adoption of new constitution and National Assembly in 2004. Islamic Republic.
2005—Hamid Karzai first democratically president of Afghanistan
2009—Karzai re-elected
US War in Afghanistan October 2001: Military campaign against targeted terrorist
facilities and Taliban military/political assets Operation Enduring Freedom
November 2001: Kabul fell Many Taliban leaders fled to Pakistan December 2001: International Security Assistance Force
founded by UN Security Council to secure Kabul and surrounding areas
2003—present: Taliban insurgents campaign against Islamic Republic and the presence of ISAF troops
May 2012—NATO approves withdrawal plan
US Relations May 2012: US and Afghanistan sign Enduring
Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America 10 year partnership demonstrating US’ commitment to
strengthen Afghanistan’s sovereignty, stability and prosperity
Continued cooperation to defeat al-Qaida and its affiliates
Major Non-NATO Ally Maintaining of embassies
Soviet War Coming Thursday
The Taliban and al-Qaeda
Coming Friday
Iran
Geography and People Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and
the Caspian Sea. Between Iraq and Pakistan Slightly smaller than Alaska Periodic droughts, floods, dust storms, sandstorms, and
earthquakes 98% Muslim (89% Shia and 9% Sunni) Median age of citizens is 27.4 years old 77% literate School life expectancy: 13 years
Government Islamic Republic/Theocratic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-Khamenei (Chief of State) President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nedjad (Ah-ma-din-ih-jad)
(Head of Government) President is elected by popular vote Eligible for two consecutive four year terms and a non
consecutive term Next election is slated for June 2013
Religious Legal System, Sharia Law Universal suffrage at 18 years old
Economy Economy is reliant on oil; provides the majority of
revenues Double-Digit Unemployment and Underemployment
Underemployment of young persons has resulted in a “brain drain”
15.3% (2011) unemployment
Brief History Called Persia until 1935 (many American-Iranians, or
Iranians living in America, still refer to themselves as Persians)
Iranian Revolution in 1979 Overthrowing of the Pahlavi dynasty under Shah
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Replacement with Islamic Republic under Ayatolla
Ruhollah Khomeini (leader of the revolution) The Pahlavi dynasty was highly westernized and
replaced Islamic laws with western ones. The pendulum swung the other way when the Ayatolla Khomeini came to power
US Relations Iran Hostage Crisis
52 American Diplomats held hostage for 444 days Iranian youths take over American Embassy and take
hostages Do not maintain diplomatic relations Issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program
Present Problems Facing the Region
Sex Trafficking of men, women, and children Heroin trade route from Asia to Europe
One of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world Refugees from Afghanistan and Iraq Nuclear Weapons
2005 UN Security Council imposed sanctions against Iran
US determined in 2009 that Iran could likely not develop nuclear weapons until 2013
Women in Iran 1979-1990 (Since the Revolution…)
Islamic dress codes Barred from becoming judges Sex-segregation in sports and at the beach Marriage age reduced to 9 (later raised to 13) Married women cannot attend school regularly “Virginity tests” Women caught disobeying dress codes subject up to
70 lashes or 60 days imprisonment
Women in Iran 1990—Present Day
Increase in education and women in the work force Allowed to participate in sports Abortions allowed in very select circumstances “Stop Stoning Forever” campaign “One Million Signatures” campaign
Syria
Geography and People Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea Bordered by Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan Slightly larger than North Dakota Arabic is the official language Sunni Muslim is the official religion (74%) and other Muslim
sects comprise 16% of the population 61.6% between the ages of 15-64, median age is 22.3 years 79.6% of the population is literate 19.1% unemployment among persons 15-24 years of age
Government According to the CIA the government is a “republic
under an authoritarian regime” Capital: Damascus Mixed legal system: civil and Islamic law Universal suffrage at 18 Chief of State: President Bashar al-Asad.
Elected in 2000 and then approved for a second 7-year term (no term limits). Was last approved for another term in 2007, with 97.6% of the vote.
Background Gained independence from France in 1946 Series of military coups Joins forces with Egypt in 1958 and briefly the two
exist as the United Arab Republic UAR splits in 1961 and Syria is reestablished 1970 Hafiz al-Asad takes power in a bloodless coup. Following his death in 2000, his son, Bashar al-Asad
takes over power and is “officially” deemed president by a national referendum
US Relations Economic sanctions began in late 2011 No longer maintain an embassy (effective Feb. 2012) Patriot missiles and US troops in Turkey Threats re: chemical weapons
Civil War Influenced by major uprisings that began elsewhere in
the region (Arab Spring), antigovernment protests broke out in the southern province of Dar'a in March 2011
Protesters are calling for: the repeal of the restrictive Emergency Law allowing
arrests without charge, the legalization of political parties, and the removal of corrupt local officials.
Government repeal of the Emergency Law and approval of new laws permitting new political parties and liberalizing local and national elections - and force.
Civil War continued Asad will not step down Increase in violence In late 2011 the Arab League, EU, Turkey, and the United
States have expanded economic sanctions against the regime October 2012: Lakhdar BRAHIMI, current Joint Special
Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis began meeting with regional heads of state to assist in bringing about a cease-fire.
December 2012: fear of sarin gas attacks. Death toll has topped 30,000 since the protests began
Iraq
Saudi Arabia
Pakistan