Middle East Exam 2 Terms

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

An Egyptian politician and military general who has been the sixth President of Egypt since 2014. He was the Supreme Commander of the Egyptian Armed Forces and Minister of Defence before being elected president.

Muslim Brotherhood

An Islamist transnational movement founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna. It is the largest political opposition in many Arab countries, and has been described as the world's most influential Islamist movement. Their goal is to restore Islamic government and to implement sharia law.

Likud

An Israeli right-wing political party led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Founded in 1973 as a union of several right-wing and liberal parties, their base of support is primarily from the right-wing and nationalist sectors of Israeli society. The party has held the majority of seats in the Knesset since 1977, and has been in power for all but one of the last 18 years.

Political Islam

Intersection of Islam with political ideology, particularly with the idea that Islam should be an organizing force in society and politics. It involves the use of Islamic beliefs and principles as a basis for political action, and seeks to apply Islamic law (Sharia) to public life, governance, and policy-making.

Mizrahim

Jewish people of Middle Eastern or North African descent. They are also sometimes referred to as Sephardim, although this more specifically refers to Jews from the Iberian Peninsula.

"Status Quo" Arrangement

Refers to the political, social, and religious status quo that has existed in the region for several decades. It is often used to describe the current situation in which certain political and territorial disputes remain unresolved, and countries in the region have reached an uneasy equilibrium. Ex) One of the most significant examples of the arrangement in the Middle East is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Ultra-Orthodox

Refers to those who are very strict in their observance of religious and cultural traditions and practices. This includes strict adherence to dietary laws, observance of religious rituals, and following clothing rules. Ultra-Orthodox Jews in the Middle East are particularly strict in their observance of Jewish laws and customs.

Ashkenazim

Term used to refer to Jews of Central and Eastern European descent. They are the descendants of the Jews who moved to Central and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages, and have since become the largest Jewish ethnic group in the world.

Muhammad Bouazizi

Was a Tunisian street vendor who set himself on fire on December 17, 2010, in protest of the confiscation of his wares and the harassment and humiliation that he reported was inflicted on him by a municipal official and her aides. His self-immolation sparked the Tunisian Revolution and the wider Arab Spring, a series of anti-government uprisings in the region. Bouazizi was posthumously hailed as a "symbol of the struggle for dignity in the Arab world."

Mohamed Morsi

Was an Egyptian politician and engineer who served as the fifth President of Egypt from 2012 to 2013, when he was deposed in a military coup d'état. He was a senior leader of the Muslim Brotherhood movement and a member of the Freedom and Justice Party. He was Egypt's first democratically elected president.

FLN

The ___, or National Liberation Front, is a political organization that played a significant role in the Algerian War of Independence, which took place from 1954 to 1962. The Algerian War was a struggle for independence from France, which had colonized Algeria in the 19th century. They eventually succeeded in winning Algeria's independence in 1962, and has since become a major political party in the country. The FLN's ideology is based on Arab nationalism, socialism, and anti-imperialism, and it has been a major force in Algerian politics for many decades.

FIS

The ____, or Islamic Salvation Front, was a political organization in Algeria that emerged in the late 1980s in the context of growing political and economic unrest. It was a Sunni Islamist party that aimed to establish an Islamic state in Algeria through democratic means. However, the Algerian military, fearing the establishment of an Islamist government, intervened and canceled the second round of elections. This sparked a violent conflict between the military and Islamist militants, which lasted for more than a decade and resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Algerians. It was eventually banned in Algeria, and its leaders were imprisoned or forced into exile. However, the organization continues to exist in a limited capacity and has been involved in various political activities in Algeria.

Hizbullah

A Shia Islamist political and paramilitary organization based in Lebanon. It was founded in 1982 as a response to Israel's invasion of Lebanon and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Israel. It's active in the Lebanese political process, and is a major component of the March 8 Alliance. Its stated goals are to resist the Israeli occupation of Lebanon and the West's interference in Lebanese affairs.

Rachid Ghannouchi

A Tunisian political leader, philosopher, and academic. He is the founder and leader of the Ennahda Movement, a moderate Islamist political party in Tunisia. He was the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Tunisia following the 2011 Tunisian Revolution.

March 14 Coalition

A coalition of mainly Sunni Muslim political parties and individuals in Lebanon, formed in the wake of the Cedar Revolution of 2005. The coalition was formed in response to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and aimed to oppose the Syrian military presence in the country. It includes members of the Future Movement, the Lebanese Forces, and other smaller parties.

Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs

A government ministry in Morocco responsible for the management of the religious affairs of the nation. They're responsible for regulating the religious life of Muslims, managing Islamic educational institutions, and providing guidance on religious matters. They also supervise the enforcement of Islamic law and works to promote Islamic values and culture.

National Pact of 1943

A historic agreement that was reached in Lebanon between the country's Christian and Muslim leaders. It aimed to establish a power-sharing arrangement between the two communities in the newly independent country, and is considered a key moment in the history of Lebanon.The Pact was born out of a desire to end the sectarian tensions that had plagued Lebanon during its period of French colonial rule. The agreement recognized Lebanon as an independent country, with equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity

Ennahda

A moderate Islamic political party in Tunisia. The party seeks to promote democracy, human rights, and the strengthening of civil society through an Islamic framework. They have held a majority in the Tunisian National Constituent Assembly since 2011 and has participated in several governments since then.

Official Islam

A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of the Quran and the prophetic tradition of the Prophet Muhammad. It is the second largest religion in the world with more than 1.8 billion adherents. The basic beliefs of Islam include belief in Allah as the one and only God, and in Muhammad as His final messenger. Muslims also believe in angels, scriptures, prophets, and the Day of Judgment. Islam is a way of life that guides its followers in all aspects of life, from their personal spiritual practices to their social and economic interactions.

The Bloody Decade (1992-2002)

A period of significant political, economic, and social turmoil in the region. This period was characterized by civil wars, regional conflict, economic hardship, and increasing repression of human rights. During this period, there were several major regional conflicts, including the Gulf War, the Second Intifada, the Iran-Iraq War, and the Afghanistan War. In addition, there were several countries that experienced internal strife and instability, including Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria. During this time, the Middle East was greatly impacted by the rise of Islamic extremism, heightened sectarian tensions, and the proliferation of terrorism.

March 8 Coalition

A political alliance in the Middle East that was formed in 2005 as a response to the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon. The coalition is comprised of political parties, organizations, and activists from several countries in the region including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The coalition supports the Lebanese Resistance, opposes foreign intervention in the region, and seeks to promote social justice.

Houthi

A political and religious movement, originally from the northern part of Yemen, which emerged in the 1990s. It is led by the Houthi family, who are Zaydi Shia Muslims. The group is fighting against the internationally recognized government of Yemen, which is supported by a Saudi-led coalition. The group has been accused of human rights violations and is believed to be backed by Iran.

Mapai/Labor

A political party in Israel that was originally founded in 1930 by David Ben-Gurion and was the dominant party in the country until 1977. Its main goals are to protect the interests of the working class, fight for social justice, and promote Zionism. The party has been a major force in Israeli politics for decades, and it is currently part of the governing coalition.

Amal

A popular name in the Middle East and is derived from the Arabic word for "hope". It is also used in other parts of the world and is especially popular in the Arab world.

Arab Spring

A series of pro-democratic uprisings that began in the Middle East in 2010. It began with the Tunisian Revolution, which saw the overthrow of the long-standing authoritarian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. This sparked similar protests across the region, including in Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain, and other countries. The protests were inspired by a range of issues, including unemployment, corruption, and political repression. The uprisings led to the overthrow of several governments and the emergence of new democracies in the region.

Hudaybi

A treaty signed between the Islamic prophet Muhammed and the Quraysh tribe of Mecca. This treaty marked the end of a long period of hostility between the two groups and allowed the Muslims to peacefully enter and worship at the holy Kaaba. The treaty also allowed for peaceful trade between the two groups. The treaty is seen as a major turning point for the early Muslim community, as it allowed them to practice their faith without fear of persecution from their former enemies.

Treaty of Brotherhood, Cooperation and Coordination

An international agreement between two or more countries to establish a framework of cooperation and coordination in order to promote peace, security, and mutual understanding. The treaty is intended to provide a basis for strong, stable, and lasting relationships between the signatories. The treaty contains provisions on a wide range of topics including political, economic, social, cultural, and security issues. It outlines the rights and duties of each signatory and establishes mechanisms for consultation and dispute resolution. The treaty also provides for regular meetings between the signatories to discuss issues of mutual concern. This is an important step in building a stronger, more stable, and more resilient international community. The treaty is intended to be a living document that can be adjusted and modified as the situation and needs of the signatories change.

Islamic Medical Association

An international, non-governmental, voluntary organization of health professionals, dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Muslims around the world. It works to improve the health care of Muslims by providing access to quality health care, health education and research, and by advocating for health issues of special concern to Muslims. The IMA also works to promote ethical and professional standards of practice in the field of Islamic medicine.

League of Moroccan Scholars (Arrabita)

An organization of prominent Moroccan scholars, intellectuals, and researchers that was established in 2002 in Fez, Morocco. It is composed of over 600 members from all over the country who come together to discuss topics related to Moroccan culture, history, religion, politics, and society. They work to promote dialogue and education to foster understanding and appreciation of Moroccan culture, as well as to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and opinions between its members. The organization also works to support research projects related to Morocco, and organizes conferences and other events to bring together its members and the public.

Family law

Refers to the legal framework governing familial relationships, such as marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance, within the countries and cultures of the Middle East region.

Taif Accord

also known as the Taif Agreement, was a peace agreement negotiated in 1989 in the Saudi Arabian city of Taif to end the Lebanese Civil War. The agreement was signed by the leaders of Lebanon's warring factions and was brokered by Saudi Arabia and the Arab League. It called for the disarmament of all militias, the end of foreign interference in Lebanon, the demarcation of a new administrative and political structure, and the return of Syrian troops to Lebanon. The accord also provided for the election of a new President of Lebanon and the formation of a new government. The agreement was implemented in October 1990, leading to the end of 15 years of civil war in Lebanon.