The five pillars of Islam

Write an essay that includes all the answers of those questions:

1. What are the five pillars of Islam? Identify each of them and what obligations do each of them impose on the Muslim believer?
2. What are the differences between Sunni and Shiite Islam? How did the split arise and what doctrinal differences developed? What elements of faith do the two groups hold in common?
3. It has been said that the Arabic language is an important element in understanding the Middle East. What is the significance of the Arabic language? What are some of its distinguishing characteristics?
4. The Middle East contains some of the oldest cities in the world. What are the differences between Middle Eastern cities and those found elsewhere, particularly in the United States?
5. Discuss the political economy of the desert communities of the Middle East. How do the social, economic, political and legal institutions interrelate?
6. Examine the political economy of the agricultural villages of the Middle East. Focus on issues such as land usage and ownership, levels of economic specialization and patterns of leadership.

Sample Solution