Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the six major world religions that originated in the Middle East?

Accepted Answer

Buddhism originated in the Indian subcontinent, not the Middle East, unlike Christianity, Islam, and Judaism which all originated in the Middle East.

Question 2

What is the Arabic term for the area stretching from the Atlantic coast of North Africa to the Iran-Afghan border (what Europeans and Americans call "the Middle East")?

Accepted Answer

The term "the Middle East" is a Western concept, and there is no single Arabic term that corresponds directly to this geographic area as defined by Europeans and Americans. The Arabic term "The Maghreb" specifically refers to the western part of the Arab world, not the entire region from the Atlantic coast of North Africa to the Iran-Afghan border. "Persia" refers to the historical region that is now Iran, and "The Orient" is an outdated and broad term used in the West to describe Asia or the East, not a specific Arabic term for the Middle East.

Question 3

Which of the following is true about Shiite Muslims?

Accepted Answer

Shiites form a majority in both Iran and Iraq, which is a significant aspect of the demographic and religious landscape in these countries.

Question 4

What was the basis of the seventh century dispute that led to the division of the Muslim community into Sunni and Shia?

Accepted Answer

The division of the Muslim community into Sunni and Shia sects was primarily based on disagreements over the proper succession to the caliphate after the death of the Prophet Muhammad.

Question 5

What, according to the authors, was imposed upon the new countries and states of the Middle East during the colonial transition?

Accepted Answer

The names of the countries themselves were often imposed during the colonial transition, as colonial powers drew borders and established states without necessarily considering the historical, cultural, or ethnic compositions of those areas.

Question 6

Which country is the center of regional film and television production?

Accepted Answer

Egypt has long been considered the heart of the film and television industry in the Middle East, historically known as "Hollywood on the Nile" for its prolific output and regional influence in cinema and television production.

Question 7

Besides the Qur'an, another religious text considered essential to many Muslims for studying the faith of Islam is the hadith. The hadith is

Accepted Answer

The hadith comprises the collected sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions, serving as an important source of guidance for Muslims in understanding the Qur'an and practicing their faith.

Question 8

Some scholars believe the current era may be a time of tremendous transformation in Islam, comparable to which other major transformation in history?

Accepted Answer

The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century was a major transformation in Christianity, leading to significant religious, political, and cultural changes. Some scholars see parallels in the potential for transformation within Islam today.

Question 9

A tribe is defined primarily as a large group of people who share a common identity based on a common

Accepted Answer

A tribe is primarily defined by a common ancestry, which serves as the basis for the shared identity among its members.

Question 10

As people united by common language and identity, who inhabit a coherent spatial territory split between other states, the Kurds may be described as a

Accepted Answer

The Kurds are a transnational tribe because they are a people united by common language and identity, who inhabit a coherent spatial territory split between other states.

Question 11

Compared to the rest of the world, Qatar and Kuwait have

Accepted Answer

Qatar and Kuwait have very high average GDP per capita due to their significant oil and gas reserves and revenues, which contribute to their wealth.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT one of the challenges facing the Middle East and North Africa, according to the book?

Accepted Answer

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces numerous challenges, but stagnant population growth and an insufficient labor base are not among them. In fact, many countries in the MENA region have experienced rapid population growth, which has contributed to other issues such as unemployment and resource strain.

Question 13

Which of the following was LEAST likely to have contributed to the Jewish diaspora maintaining a distinct identity within host communities in Europe and elsewhere?

Accepted Answer

C) Evolving new languages like Yiddish and Ladino, while significant for internal community cohesion and culture, was less about maintaining a distinct identity within host communities and more about the practical evolution of communication among Jews in different regions. The other options directly relate to maintaining a distinct religious or cultural identity in the face of external pressures or within the context of broader societies.

Question 14

In 1917, the secretary of state of Great Britain issued a letter promising to aid in the creation of "a national home for the Jewish people" if they were awarded certain war loan guarantees from Jewish-owned banks. This document was called

Accepted Answer

The document is known as the Balfour Declaration, issued by British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour in 1917, which expressed support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.

Question 15

What creates a seemingly intractable obstacle to a "two-state solution" to the Palestinian situation?

Accepted Answer

Disputes over settlements, refugees, and borders are key issues that have made it difficult to achieve a two-state solution, as they are central to the disagreements between Israelis and Palestinians.

Question 16

What is one of the main political and/or religious goals of the Islamic State of Iraq and Lebanon (ISIL/ISIS/IS)?

Accepted Answer

The main goal of ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), also known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) or simply IS (Islamic State), is to establish and expand a caliphate, which is a form of Islamic rule led by a caliph, who is considered a political and religious successor to the prophet Muhammad.

Question 17

When it was first founded during the late colonial era, what was the Muslim Brotherhood trying to do?

Accepted Answer

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna in Egypt, initially focused on social reform, aiming to provide health, education, and employment services to underserved populations. Its early activities were centered around improving the lives of Egyptians through a comprehensive approach that included social, economic, and spiritual dimensions, rather than directly engaging in political struggles or seeking to overthrow governments.

Question 18

Which of the following has contributed to the rise of political Islam, according to the book's authors?

Accepted Answer

All of these factors have contributed to the rise of political Islam. The failure of capitalism or socialism to bring about economic prosperity, the lack of democratization by foreign-backed governments, and the disillusionment with secularization in the post-WWII era have all played a role in driving people towards political Islam as an alternative.

Quiz 11: The Middle East