Essay --

Tom Nowakowski 12/20/13 HI-216 Dr. Pursell Final Exam 1) The Koran has many different things to say regarding the religions being practiced circa 600 AD in the Middle East. Prior to Islam, Saudi Arabia had a lot of people who practiced paganism. When Islam arrived, there was absolutely zero tolerance of pagans and paganism. Things were different regarding Christianity and Judaism. Islam tolerates Christianity and Judaism as they’re Abrahamic religions. The Koran does not have an issue with Christians or Jews practicing their own religious ideas or beliefs. The Koran also instructs Muslims to treat them respectfully and that there should be no forced religious conversions carried out. The Koran also believes that Christians and Jews are people of the book, or people who received scriptures before the Koran was written. The Koran views people of the book, or those who have an Abrahamic religion, as close or related to them. In fact, Islam and the Koran even view Jesus as a prophet and give respect to the Virgin Mary as well. Christ ians and Jews are viewed as misguided but must still be respected. The arrival of Islam drastically transformed the Middle East and its culture. Prior to Islam, women did not have the right to acquire an inheritance, initiate a divorce, and slavery was frequent as well. Muhammad wanted to improve the wellbeing of women and believed they should have more rights. Eventually, Muslim women also were allowed to inherit wealth too. Islam taught that both sexes were equal. Islam also forever changed the way many Middle Eastern countries governed. Many Middle Eastern governments are influenced by Islam or are even officially Islamic countries themselves. This influenced the types of laws that are passed and legi... ...oint where Egypt recognizes Israel and peace treaties between the two have been put into place. Egypt has even become a crucial strategic partner to Israel. Nevertheless, some are skeptical of this Egyptian-Israeli peace and question its effectives. That said, the two are on technically good terms and have diplomatic and economic ties with each other. It’s safe to assume that if such good terms continue in the future, then Israel and Egypt will not have another conflict with each other again. This is obviously important to Israel from defense standpoint too. 6) As of this point, it’s difficult to say for certain whether or not the Middle East will be democratic. Undoubtedly, challenges remain ahead for it to achieve democracy, or at least any reasonable semblance of it. The great hope and narrative that everyone had with the Arab Spring was that