Lesson

Arabia and Iraq: Society and Culture

Students explore the non-Islamic religions present in the region, identifying some of their similarities with Islam. Then they learn about hijab and the part it plays in the lives of Muslim women. Finally, students explore an inside look at some Saudi women, focusing on what students and these women have in common.

Preview the Lesson Back to Southwest Asia and North Africa

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Overview

In this experience, students explore the non-Islamic religions present in the region, identifying some of their similarities with Islam. Then they learn about hijab and the part it plays in the lives of Muslim women. Finally, students explore an inside look at some Saudi women, focusing on what students and these women have in common.

Objectives:

Compare and contrast Arabia and Iraq’s different religious and cultural traditions.
Explain the cultural issues for women and their changing role.

In this experience, you will explore the religious and cultural traditions of Iraq and Arabia, including the role of women in changing times.

Objectives:

Compare and contrast Arabia and Iraq’s different religious and cultural traditions.
Explain the cultural issues for women and their changing role.

Take a look at the following photos:

What do all these women have in common?

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All of the women are wearing head coverings of some kind.

It might surprise you to learn that these women all practice different religions in the Middle East. In many religions, head coverings are worn as a sign of modesty. Some religious texts mandate them, while others are worn out of a sense of cultural tradition.

In the rest of this experience, you’ll be discussing some of the cultural and religious practices in the region.

Invite students to write questions they have as a response in their wall post.

Scene 2 addresses some of the non-Islamic religions in the region. For more information about the beliefs and practices of Islam, see the experience “Religion and Its Influence: The Origins of Islam.”

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