Global Thematic 2

	At different times in history, religious followers have acted to unify people, as well as divide them. The Middle East is a prime example of religious unity, as well as the divisive power religion can bring. Though the Middle East has always been an area rich in conflict, Islam has helped to unify it in times of need, and in times of greatness. Judaism, which had a traditional kingdom in the Middle East before the Diaspora, has now re-established itself in Israel and has caused a conflict that likely will not end in peace.
	The Religion of Islam has held the five pillars as an important part of their religion. These pillars include the requirement of praying five times daily, fasting in the month of Ramadan, making a pilgrimage to Mecca, giving alms to the poor, and declaring that Allah is the one true god. In the time of the crusades, the Muslims united to stop the invading Christians. through their common religion, they were willing to defend their holy lands from the invading crusaders. Islam also unified the Ottoman empire, a great part of which was the requirement of reading the Quran in Arabic, as well as saying prayers in Arabic. This allowed all Muslim parts of the Ottoman empire to understand each other through a common language. Through the use of common language, rules could be understood, and leaders could easily communicate with their subjects. This unity eventually allowed the Ottomans to lead an offensive against the byzantine empire, and take the city of Constantinople.
	The religion of Judaism was the first monotheistic religion to emerge, and presented many new ideas to the world. One of the main beliefs of Judaism different than other religions of the time was monotheism. The belief in one god made them very different from other religions. They also believe in the covenant between Abraham and God, which established another of their beliefs; collective salvation. This belief states that all Jews will be saved by god when the world ends, and that only Jews may enter heaven. This religion has caused much of the conflict in the middle east in the present day. The Diaspora caused the Jews to be kicked out of their homeland, and following the Balfour declaration around the 1920s, Jews began moving back. This large influx of Jews, and later with the establishment of Israel, angered the Muslim residents, as well as the countries surrounding Israel. This push for a Jewish homeland has divided the people residing in Israel, and has caused disunity as a result.
	In the Middle East, religious unity and division have long been the cause of conflict. Islam has brought its followers together, and Judaism has divided the country of Israel. The conflicts from these two religions will likely never end.