PBS
Pbs News Hour: The Role of the Kurds, Sunnis, and Shiites in Iraq
A way to discuss the complex formation of the Iraqi government with students. This lesson plan shows students the different ethnic groups within Iraq and how their views and opinions effect not only Iraq but the surrounding countries and...
Library of Congress
Loc: Pakistan's Religious Life
This article discusses the dynamics of religious life in Pakistan including basic tenets of Islam, as well as non-Muslim minorities.
University of Calgary
University of Calgary: The Safavid Empire
The "Shah Ismail" section of the Safavid Empire history describes how the Safavid Empire differed from other Muslim empires and how Shi'ite Islam contributed to that.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Nubians
The Nubians are a non-Arab Muslim population who lived in the geographical region known as Nubia in southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Aswan High Dam Lake forced relocation for 120,000 beginning in 1964. Among the Egyptian Nubians this...
Other
Fasting, According to the Five Schools of Islamic Law
This website discusses how the Five Schools of Islamic Law view fasting, which is one of the Pillars of Islam. Shows how each School of Islamic Law has different views towards an obligatory task of all Muslims. Specifically talks about...
BBC
Bbc: 'Bin Laden' Warning to Iraq Shias
Relates Bin Laden's opinion that it is important that the Iraqi Shias do not continue to attack the Iraqi Sunni Muslims. Discusses the tensions between the two groups, and why they are attacking each other. (2 July 2006)
Council of Foreign Relations
Terrorism Havens: Lebanon
This resource answers questions regarding Lebanon, terrorism, and states implications for the United States.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Mauritania: Religion
Brief description of the religious beliefs of the people of Mauritania. Be sure to click on the topics to find out more about Islam in general and the sects that are prevalent in Mauritania.
TES Global
Tes: Peace Corps: Discovering New Perspectives on Life
[Free Registration/Login Required] This lesson plan allows learners the opportunity to read about the experiences of a Peace Corps volunteer and how his worldview changed from learning more about another culture.
BBC
Bbc: Week of 6 23 14: Is This the End of Iraq?
Learn about the most recent attacks that Iraqi citizens have been under, and why this is putting the nation in peril.
US Department of State
U.s. Department of State: United Arab Emirates
This resource offers information on both the history of the United Arab Emirates as well as its relationship with the U.S. It gives a very complete and informative description, and focuses on respect for human rights in United Arab...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Aimaq
In western Afghanistan and far eastern Iran, "Aimaq" means "tribal people," which distinguishes the Aimaq from the nontribal population in the area, the Persians (Fariswan) and Tajiks. Most of the population of live in Afghanistan; those...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Kurds
The Kurds have inhabited an area of rugged mountains and high plains at the headwaters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for over two thousand years. Their traditional mode of subsistence is pastoralism and agriculture. The territory...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Palestinians
Palestinians inhabit an area east of the Mediterranean Sea and south of Lebanon. The Jordan River, Lakes Huleh and Tiberias, and the Dead Sea separate Palestine from Jordan. Christians refer to Palestine as "the Holy Land." Today...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Arabs
The Arab world is usually considered to be comprised of the following nineteen countries: Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Chad, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi...
BBC
Bbc: The Safavid Empire
The BBC surveys the history of the Persian Safavid Empire (1501-1722) in what is now modern Iran. Founded by the Sufi Brotherhood, it adopted the Shi'a version of Islam and the cause of the hidden Imam, which still influences the...
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Uae: People
This information on the people of the United Arab Emirates is from the CIA World Fact Book. You might be surprised to see the percentage of the population that is actually citizens of the country.
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Morocco: People
Read about the people of Morocco, their languages, religion, education, and their cities. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Karakalpaks
Learn about the culture of the Karakalpak people. Explore topics such as their history, economy, past settlements, cultural values, religion, and sociopolitical organization.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Najaf, a Holy City Caught in the Crossfire (Lesson Plan)
A lesson that provides insights into the Iraqi response to a U.S. military incursion into Najaf, an Iraqi religious center. The lesson involves learning about the two main branches of Islam: Shiitism and Sunnism. Students identify why...
FOX News
Fox News: Deadly Attack on Us Military Base
Report on the deadly attack on a U.S. base in Mosul, part of the continuing insurgency in Iraq. 12/22/2004
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Taliban
Discover interesting facts and information about the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
New York Times
New York Times: Ethnic and Sectarian Tensions in Iraq
An interactive map that shows the different ethnic groups throughout Iraq. The map has video and audio and tries to explain the relationships and conflicts between the three main groups in Iraq. (25 June 2006)
CBS
Cbs News: Religions
An interactive map that gives an overview of the different religions that make up Iraq. Shows where each religion is concentrated and what areas of the country it controls.