Transcript Middle East Governments Comic Strip Activity

Compare and Contrast
Middle East Governments
Read through the Power Point Presentation pertaining to
your Middle Eastern Country (Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran) and
complete your criteria organizer including the following
information;
Identify the form of government
title of the leader
Identify how the person becomes the leader
Determine what role the citizen plays in the government
Determine personal freedoms (Freedom of Speech,
Freedom of the Press)
Iran
• Iran is a large country with a
large population, rich history,
and valuable natural
resources.
• Iran has a population of about
68 million—one of the largest
in Southwest Asia.
• Ethnic Persians make up a
slight majority.
• Other groups include ethnic
Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Arabs,
and Turkomans.
• Persian is the official
language.
• Almost all Iranians speak
Persian.
Iran
•
•
•
•
The Shia branch of Islam is Iran’s official religion.
About 90 percent of Iranians are Shia.
About 10 percent of Iran’s residents are Sunni Muslim.
The rest are Christian, Jewish, or practice other
religions.
Iran – Form of Government
• In 1979, Muslim
revolutionaries overthrew
Iran’s constitutional
monarchy.
• Iran has been a theocracy
(Islamic republic with a
presidential system) ever
since the Islamic Revolution
of 1979.
• The government of Iran is
now based on Islamic law.
Iran – Title of Leader
• The Supreme Leader of
Iran, Ali Khamenei, is a
religious leader, is chief
of state and has final say
on all matters.
• The Supreme Leader is
commander-in-chief of
the armed forces,
controls military
intelligence, and has sole
power to declare war or
peace.
Iran – Becoming the Leader
• The Supreme Leader
is selected by the
Council of Experts.
• The Council of
Experts, as well as
the legislature and
president, are elected
by popular vote.
Iran – Becoming the Leader
• While the president,
Hasan Fereidun
Ruhani, is head of
government, he may
be removed by the
Supreme Leader at
any time.
Iran – Becoming the Leader
It’s Complicated!
Iran – Role of Citizen
(Voting Rights)
• There is universal suffrage (voting) for everyone
over 18.
Iran – Role of Citizen
(Personal Freedoms)
• The role of the citizen in Iran is to obey the Supreme
Leader.
• The citizens of Iran have limited personal freedoms.
Iranian citizens do not have freedom of speech or
freedom of the press.