The Day That Was Different: September 11, 2001

Copyright ©2007 Carole Marsh/Gallopade International 10th Anniversary edition ©2011 Carole Marsh/Gallopade Internationa...

Author: Carole Marsh

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Copyright ©2007 Carole Marsh/Gallopade International 10th Anniversary edition ©2011 Carole Marsh/Gallopade International Published by

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Gallopade is proud to be a member of these educational organizations and associations: American Booksellers Association American Library Association International Reading Association National Association for Gifted Children The National School Supply and Equipment Association The National Council for the Social Studies Museum Store Association Association of Partners for Public Lands Association of Booksellers for Children © Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror • Page 1

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PATRIOTIC FAVORITES Patriotic Favorites Coloring and Activity Book The Young Patriot’s Book of Puzzles, Games, Riddles, Stories, Poems, and Activities Barack Obama — America’s 44th President America the Beautiful! Illustrated Lyrics for Kids to Color, Say, and Display The Pledge of Allegiance. . .to Color, Say, and Display My American Flag!: Fast Facts and How to Display Properly The Star-Spangled Banner — Lyrics to Color, Sing, and Display! TM

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© Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror• Page 2

Table Of Contents Chapter

Page

1 September 11: The Day That Changed America......................................6 2 The Terror of Terrorism..............................................................................16 3 You Crossed the Line, Buddy!....................................................................21 4 The Religion of Islam and the Muslims Who Practice It..........................36 5 Afghanistan: A Nation at the Crossroads ................................................46 6 Iraq: A Country in Conflict ......................................................................55 7 How Has Life Changed for America? ......................................................67 8 Democracy Rules!......................................................................................69 9 What Can You Do?....................................................................................72 10 We Will Never Forget! ..............................................................................79

© Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror • Page 3

A Word From the Author It’s hard to believe, but it has been ten years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Today’s young children do not even remember that day that left such an indelible mark on the minds of all who witnessed it. That day that was different has become history, our history. Today’s children may not remember 9/11, but they hear about it. It is still discussed on the news. It affects the global and political environments that children will soon be coming into. As they grow old enough to serve their country, to vote, they will have more and more questions that require answers to facilitate real understanding. Understanding is an ongoing process, for children and adults alike. Because this historical day is still so recent, it carries a great deal of weight for us. It is not cut and dry, like a history textbook. To truly understand their history, children need clarification of the emotional reaction adults have to this event as well as the rather complicated facts behind this tragedy. History is playing out before us, and we have a chance to share our understanding of it with the next generation for the greater good. Within days of 9/11, I began to produce educational materials on this subject. Someone asked me, “Aren’t you afraid that people will think you’re trying to make money off of a tragedy?” My answer? “I’m far more afraid that children will have questions and we won’t have answers.” The early questios seemed simple: What is the World Trade Center? What is the Pentagon? Where is Afghanistan? How can a skyscraper fall down? Subsequent questions grew more difficult: Why did people do that? Who wants to hurt us? What is terrorism? How long will the war on terrorism last? I have read that parents and teachers do not have the courage to teach children about 9/11 and related subjects; that they may not have the authority, the skill, the desire, or the tools. I do not believe this. The day after 9/11, the phones in my office were ringing off the hook. Parents and teachers were calling: “Do you have a map of Afghanistan?” “I need something about who the Muslims are; what do you have?” “Can you give me a diagram of the Pentagon so I can show kids what it looks like?” “How do you spell Al-Qaeda?” © Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror• Page 4

Who, what, when, where, how, how come, why, why not: students will always have these questions about any subject. It’s our job to provide answers to the best of our ability and knowledge. That the subject is “tough” and “touchy” is irrelevant. A child who can ask a question deserves a valid answer. And for children who are growing up in a post 9/11 world and will live in this global world and, one day, rule over and manage it—answers, comprehension, and understanding are crucial. So is being able to assess facts and draw your own conclusions, whether you’re seven or seventeen. That’s what history, education, and life are all about. So, let’s get busy and learn. There may be bad things in the world, but learning together and trying to figure out things so that we may act accordingly is a good thing. To a good thing,

Carole Marsh Carole Marsh CEO/Founder, Gallopade International Peachtree City, Georgia [email protected]


Chapter One September 11: The Day that Changed America For most people, Tuesday, September 11, 2001, was an ordinary school or work day. Students were in their desks. Teachers were teaching. Adults were working. No matter where we were or what we were doing, we will always remember where we were when we heard that something big had happened.

What Happened? That morning, terrorists hijacked four airplanes. In a short time, these terrorists flew one plane into an office building of the World Trade Center in New York City. Soon after, another airplane hit a second World Trade Center building. Some people were able to escape from the buildings before both of them collapsed. Many people were not able to escape in time. In the meantime, terrorists flew an airplane into the Pentagon building in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. This building is very large and only part of it was hit. Some people escaped; some did not. Shortly after this, the last plane crashed in a field in the state of Pennsylvania. It is believed that the terrorists may have planned to crash this plane into the U.S. Capitol building or some other target, but that passengers on board prevented this from happening. Very soon, most of us realized that America was under attack. It appeared that the attack was over. We knew that all the people on all four airplanes had died. It was clear that probably thousands of people had died in the office buildings. However, rescuers were trying to save anyone who had survived. And everyone in America was wondering why this had happened, what it meant, and what would happen next. We were afraid and we were sad.


People who were alive in 1963 say they will always remember the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Those who were around in 2001 say the same about 9/11.

September 11, 2001 was a “day that was different.” Before this day, the United States and the world had experienced different acts of terrorism. Sometimes, this terrorism was done by Americans, such as the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995. Other times, the acts of terror came from outside our country, as in a previous bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993. About 3,000 men, women, and children died as a result of these attacks. They were not only Americans; many were from countries around the world. The U.S. economy was thrown into a spin. The airlines (and other industries) had to lay off many workers. There was much sadness, a lot of anger, and a great determination to “do something about terrorism.” Even as rescue efforts got underway, America’s president and world leaders began to plan how to put an end to terrorism. The truth is we will never put an end to all terrorism. There will always be a few bad people determined to do bad things. However, there are many things that we can do to accomplish this goal. Over the next few years after 9/11, we saw many of these things come to pass—more security, more cooperation among nations, more pressure on the few nations who help terrorists.

Official Death Toll Victims of 9-11-01 New York City: 2,749 (includes airline passengers, workers in the World Trade Center, and rescue workers) Pentagon, Washington, D.C.: 184 (includes airline passengers and Pentagon workers) Shanksville, Pennsylvania: 40 (airline passengers)

History is what happens. It is the facts, not rumor or guesses. Sometimes, we know exactly what happened and when. But often, it takes time for all the facts to come out. As time goes by, we have more time to analyze and think about what happened. This time period gives us a clearer and more accurate understanding of events. If we are smart, we can learn from history.

terrorist: a person who does bad things, usually with no warning, and often against innocent people hijack: the illegal takeover of an airplane


When

What Happened After 9/11

Sept. 11

• Four airplanes hijacked; 2 crash into World Trade Center buildings in New York City; 1 crashes into Pentagon in Washington, D.C.; 1 crashes in rural Pennsylvania; some people escape or are rescued; many die from the explosion or when the WTC buildings collapse • President George W. Bush speaks to Americans during a special television broadcast

Sept. 12–14

• Rescuers continue to search for survivor; airports are shut down; FBI goes to work identifying terrorists; President Bush assures us we will find and punish those responsible.

Sept. 14

• National day of prayer; Americans display flags and hold vigils • President Bush works with world leaders on capturing the terrorists; most nations around the world support America

Mid to Late September

• Hijackers identified, FBI searches for other possible terrorists • America and other nations donate food and other supplies to Afghan refugees fleeing • U.S. military goes on heightened alert and some troops are deployed

October

• NATO declares that the attack on America was an attack on all North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations • U.S. and other military forces make the first attacks on targets throughout Afghanistan • On October 8, President Bush creates White House Office of Homeland Security

2001 and beyond

• America commits to a war against terrorism. • In 2003, the U.S. and its allies invade Iraq in search of the country’s dictator, Saddam Hussein. Hussein is captured, tried, and executed. • Democratic governments are officially created in Afghanistan and Iraq, but conflict continues in both countries. In Afghanistan, leftover fighters cause trouble for the Taliban and other militant groups. In Iraq, insurgents lead violence. • As violence in Iraq begins to decline, President Barack Obama renames the mission in Iraq “Operation New Dawn,” and reduces troop numbers in Iraq with plans to reduce them more in the future. • Osama bin Laden, leader of the terrorist group responsible for 9/11, is killed in Pakistan in 2011. • Even as military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq decline, the global fight against terrorism continues.


beyond

The Geography of Terrorism: What Places Were Involved on September 11, 2001? Geography matters! That’s why we study it in school! When learning about the events of 9/11, you probably wonder Where is that? How far away did that actually happen? And it’s always good to get a mental picture going when you are reading about anything, history especially. Several U.S. geographic locations are related to the day that terrorists hijacked four airplanes and used them to attack the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon, and one plane crashed before hitting a target: In the United States •New York City • Boston, Massachusetts •Washington, D.C. •Newark, New Jersey •Shanksville, Pennsylvania

American Airlines Flight 11

Cleveland

Boston

United Airlines Flight 93 Newark

UnitedAirlines Flight 175

New York City

Shanksville

American Airlines Flight 77

Washington, D.C.


Home of the Brave!: They Came to Help— Firefighters, Police, the Military, Civilian Volunteers, and Others Immediately after the tragic terrorist actions on September 11, 2001, something special happened. It was not surprising—it always seems to happen when a disaster or catastrophe occurs. What was it? People came to the aid of others! Within minutes of the airplane crashes into the World Trade Centers’ twin towers, New York City firefighters and police swarmed into the flaming buildings. Their goal: rescue as many survivors as possible! While the sound of screaming firetrucks, police cars, and ambulances can be frightening, they also blare the comforting news HELP IS ON THE WAY! As many people escaped down the stairways of the damaged buildings, the brave rescue workers sped UP the stairs, determined to do their job, putting the safety of others first. Unfortunately, many of these rescuers lost their lives while doing their duty. Fortunately, a few were later rescued from the rubble by their fellow firefighters and police officers! In New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, many brave people came to the aid of those in need. They included doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and other medical workers. They also included military personnel who went into action to protect America, its president, and citizens from further harm. Also, many civilians jumped right in to do what they could to help. Some donated medical supplies; others prepared food for the rescue workers. Some people donated blood; some collected or gave money for the victims of the disaster. Sadly, many of the 9/11 rescue workers have suffered health problems after helping people at “Ground Zero” in New York City. Most of the problems involve their lungs. Remember the huge gray cloud kicked up after the two World Trade Centers Towers fell? Without knowing it, the rescue workers inhaled toxic materials from the wreckage of those buildings. Some cannot work anymore, and many will need medicine to help them for the rest of their lives. © Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror• Page 10

Unsung Heroes There were many heroes on 9/11 who were not actual rescue workers. They were just people like you and me who saw someone in need and stopped to help! Can you imagine the panic of people trying to get out of those buildings? Those people who stopped to help others are truly heroes! • Two men heading down the smoky stairs in the north WTC tower moved a woman from her wheelchair into a special “evac chair” designed to carry handicapped people. Then they carried her down 68 flights of stairs! • A woman caught in a fireball in the lobby of one of the towers staggered outside the building. A man on the street tackled her to the ground to put out the flames and then helped her into an ambulance. • In one of the towers, two women carried a badly burned stranger down long flights of stairs. • A blind computer worker on the 70th floor of one of the towers was led to an emergency exit by his supervisor. The blind man, his faithful guide dog, and the supervisor climbed down the narrow emergency staircase for an hour until they reached the ground floor. The blind man even let his dog go free, but the dog came back to his side!

Heroes in the Air Some of the greatest heroes on September 11 were the passengers on United Flight 93. When the terrorists on their plane first threatened them with a bomb, everyone obeyed their commands. But soon, from cell phone calls to their families, the passengers learned of the attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. They decided to fight back so that no more lives would be lost! They tried to take back the cockpit from the terrorists, but the plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. These brave passengers may even have saved this plane from being crashed into The White House or some other building.


What is the World Trade Center? The World Trade Center is a group of buildings located on the lower end of the island of Manhattan in New York City. The WTC includes office towers, hotels, restaurants, shops, and many other types of establishments. The World Trade Center had long been recognized as a main focal point of international business activity. It is near Wall Street where the New York Stock Exchange is located. The World Trade Center’s twin towers were each more than 100 stories tall. High-speed elevators took workers to their offices and visitors to an observation deck, where they could see for many miles all around New York City. These tall buildings were also part of New York City’s beautiful skyline. You often saw them pictured on post cards. Many tourists made a point to visit the World Trade Center on a trip to the “Big Apple.”

The Twin Towers were considered an architectural and engineering marvel. The buildings were constructed to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes. They were built of strong steel. But the enemy of steel is very high heat. When the planes hit the buildings, they were filled with large amounts of fuel. This fuel created fires so hot that they melted the steel which caused the buildings to collapse. Other buildings were damaged, too. It took about nine months to clean up the destruction.


W H AT I S T H E P E N TA G O N ? W H Y D I D T H E T E R R O R I S T S P I C K O N I T ? The Pentagon is a very amazing building! It looks like this: As you can see, a “pentagon” has five sides. The Pentagon is the building where the people who run America’s military work. Why did the terrorists choose to fly a hijacked airplane into the Pentagon building? We do not know for sure. They may have flown into the Pentagon because it is such an important part of U.S. military operations. Perhaps they thought it would hurt our military or even stop our military from operating. Of course, this is not true! Some people escaped from the part of the Pentagon that was attacked. Others did not. Everyone aboard the aircraft was killed. Almost one third of the Pentagon building was damaged. Construction began right away, and the Pentagon was rebuilt in less than a year! After the attack, military personnel were immediately hard at work to see that such an attack never happens again.

The Government in Charge: What Happens When America Suffers an Attack? Every nation tries to be prepared for all types of disasters and catastrophes. This may be a weather disaster such as a hurricane. It may be an economic crisis such as the 1929 collapse of the American stock market. It may be an internal problem, such as the U.S. Civil War. Or it may be an act of war by another nation, like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Sometimes, as we saw on September 11, 2001, it can be an act of terrorism. The main way that the United States prepares for such a disaster is prevention. You can’t prevent a hurricane (so far!), but if you have advance information, you can often stop a terrorist act before it happens. Sometimes, advance warnings can come from “intelligence”— information the military works to uncover. Other times, terrorists brag ahead of time about what they plan to do.


When an attack does take place, we can at least be reassured that our government already has plans for how to handle most types of situations. Here are just a few of the helpful things that occur:

• • •

The president is moved to a safe location, as are other government and military leaders. Actions are taken first to help those in need and then to assure that no other attacks take place, if at all possible. Even while recovery is underway, the nation’s leaders work on how to respond to the situation and how to prevent such disasters in the future.

Resolve Versus Revenge There were many reactions to the attack on America by terrorists on September 11, 2001: shock; sadness; anger. Our immediate reaction was to do what we could to help rescue people. We saw firefighters, police, and others jump right into action, putting the safety of others first. Our government was busy trying to be sure that no further terrorist acts occurred.

resolve: to make a firm decision; determination

As things began to settle down, new emotions emerged. We were angry, and naturally so. “Who would do this to us?” we wondered. “And why?” Likewise, we felt very strongly that we had to do something to punish those who had done these bad deeds and to stop them from ever doing such things again. One emotion we felt was RESOLVE. It is easy to say, “I think I want to do something” or “We probably should do something” about a problem. But Americans, and many others around the world, felt much more strongly than that—they RESOLVED to do something about the worldwide problem of terrorism. Resolve is different from revenge. If we want “revenge,” we just want to “get even,” or to “get back at them.” Revenge is about making us feel better. Resolve is about being determined to find a solution to a problem.


Because the hijackers of the airplanes used to attack America were Arabs (people from an Arabic-speaking nation), and Muslims (people who practice the religion of Islam), some people wanted to strike back at ALL Arabs and ALL Muslims. This, we know, is not right. But, it is right to resolve to bring the people guilty of terrorism, or of helping terrorists hide or escape, to justice.

What Should I Really Be Afraid Of? Neither adults nor children want to hear about terrorism, hijacked airplanes, bombs, buildings falling down, war, or any other bad thing, right? Right! However, the real world is full of both good and bad things. Fortunately for us all, most days are ordinary (maybe even boring?), safe, and happy. The day of September 11, 2001, when terrorists did hijack airplanes and crash them into buildings in America was indeed a scary day. But it was an exception. Even though all Americans were confused, sad, and upset over the tragic events, they took place in a very small part of the United States. Most of us were safe the entire time. (In fact, many of us felt too far away from the disaster. We wished we could be closer so we could help.) You cannot go through a lifetime without a crisis now and then. Sometimes a crisis is very small, even when it seems like a big deal to you personally. Other times, a crisis is large, affecting a lot of people. This day of terrorism is an example. The important thing about a crisis is how we react to it. We can be sad, angry, afraid. But soon we must return to our ordinary lives. After all, that’s what terrorists try to interrupt, so when we go along with them, we are letting them win. They want us to be afraid—even when there is nothing to be afraid of! Picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, and starting all over again is often not very easy—especially if you are closely affected by a disaster. But that is how we help ourselves and others the most! This is what America and Americans did. Even as we continued to help those most affected by the tragic events, people returned to work and school. They wanted to get back to “normal” as soon as possible. We refused to be defeated by terrorism!


Chapter Two The Terror of Terrorism Is Terrorism New? We probably can’t go far enough back in time to record the first act of “terrorism.” Perhaps one caveman sneaked up on another and bopped him over the head with a club to try to hurt, scare, and intimidate him. Today, terrorists still pretty much do the same thing: hide, make sneak attacks, and run and hide until their next attack. Terrorists insist that they have good reasons for their awful acts of terror. Sometimes they tell what these reasons are (but they seldom explain them and they never want to talk about them in a peaceful way). But just as often, terrorists brag about their bad deeds, or stay silent, leaving those attacked in even more fear, wondering who would do such things to them and why, and if or when it might happen again. The attacks on September 11, 2001 brought all kinds of questions to the minds of Americans. We usually think of terrorism as car bombs and other activities that happen in other countries. On this day, we found out that, unfortunately, this is not always the case. The United States has experienced another major attack of terrorism on our own soil by non-Americans. This was the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. This was an attack by the Japanese air force on an American naval base. More than 2,500 people were killed, most of them American military workers. This attack caused America to declare war on Japan and to join World War II, which America and its allies eventually won.

This Time it was Different The September 11 attack on America by outsiders was quite different. The primary place attacked was a city, not a military complex. The people who died were civilians, not soldiers. The attackers were not soldiers, either, but religious fanatics. It is not surprising that most of the world joined with America to express that terrorism is always wrong. Moreover, America and other democratic countries know that peace is better than war, and that diplomacy is better than fighting. These nations are determined to join together to put an end to terrorism.


One thing terrorists have in common is that they are cowards. They hide so that they cannot be found. They are unwilling to discuss problems. And, they are not respected by anyone except their fellow terrorists. Terrorism today often involves religion. Although he denied it at first, it became clear that Muslim religious leader Osama bin Laden and a group called Al-Qaeda were responsible for the 9/11 attacks. These terrorists live in various locations around the world. Osama bin Laden spent a lot of time hiding in Afghanistan (after being kicked out of both Saudi Arabia and Sudan), where Afghan rulers known as the Taliban protected him. Then he left for Pakistan, where he hid for several years before he was found and killed by U.S. troops in 2011. The actual airplane hijackers may have been living in the United States for years, preparing for their attacks.

Why do they hate us? The terrorist group Al-Qaeda believes that it is fighting a “jihad” or “holy war” against the United States. They call Americans “infidels” because we do not share the same religion. They are angry because the United States supports Israel (the enemy of many Arab countries in the Middle East). They are also angry because the United States was involved in the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s. They want the United States to stay out of the Middle East! They insist that their religion says they must fight such “holy wars,” but we know this is not so. Most Muslims, who practice the religion of Islam, believe in peace, not war. So these terrorists are just a very small group. They attack, hide, and then attack again later. They do not really accomplish their goals—they are just terrorists. The hatred that terrorists have in their hearts has caused many problems and led to many deaths. Hate is a destructive emotion! It is made up of things like anger, jealousy, fear, intolerance, and bitterness. Not one of those emotions are positive emotions!

fanatic: a person who thinks very differently from most people and may use their beliefs to justify acts of hatred diplomacy: using meetings, talking, and discussion to work out disagreements


Terrorism in the Past Against the U.S. As students who are just now beginning to learn about terrorism, you may think that the September 11, 2001 attack on America was the “first” such event. While it was the worst terrorist attack, as far as number of people killed . . . and it was especially horrible because it was done with our own airplanes . . . and it was scary since it was on American soil and against innocent civilians—it was not the “first” such attack. Here are some of the other terrorist attacks against America. As you might imagine, many people were killed or wounded during these incidents.

Year

Place/Event

Terrorists

1993

New York City/World Trade Centers bombing

Seven Arab men; possibly tied to Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda group

Somalia/Attack on U.S. soldiers on a peace-keeping mission

Somali gangs and Osama bin Laden followers

1995

Saudi Arabia/Bombing of U.S. military headquarters

Muslim militants

1996

Saudi Arabia/Bombing of U.S. military barracks

Believed to be some Saudi Arabians and a Lebanese man

1998

Kenya and Tanzania/Attack on U.S. embassies

Believed to be Osama bin Laden supporters

2000

Yemen/Bombing of USS Cole, a Navy destroyer

Different groups claim to be responsible


Is the U.S. Wrong About Anything? No one likes criticism. We especially resent criticism that we believe is unfair, untrue, or is only part of the full story. However, there are always two sides to every story, and today, Americans are trying to see ourselves as others see us. We may or may not agree with any of the terrorists’ points of view. But understanding why they feel the way they do may help us uncover more ways to win the war against terrorism. Consider these things: •The United States is a world “superpower.” This is comforting to some countries. Other nations may resent our power and influence. What are good and bad things about being a world superpower? •Mediator to the world. As a world leader, America often acts as a “big brother” in helping nations at war sort out their differences and move toward peace. We have had many successes. However, some nations complain we often “take sides” instead of remaining impartial. An example of this is in the ongoing Israel-Palestine situation. Read more about this and see what you think. •Much anti-American feeling comes from the Arab world. While we have many Arab friends, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt (both wealthy nations), some Arabs complain that we do not seem to care as much about or support poorer Arab countries in their quest for enduring freedom. Learn more about Middle East nations and their relationships with America and one another. •Afghanistan especially feels resentment over America’s “about face” after their war with Russia. They say we left them with a war-torn nation. Many Arabs feel our treatment of the nation of Iraq has unfairly caused women and children there to suffer. What do you know about this period of history? •Economics and culture. Some people around the world, especially in the Middle East, do not appreciate American culture, such as movies, music, and even fast food chains, invading their own cultures and influencing their young people—in the wrong way, they believe. How can learning about one another’s history and culture help us to better understand each other and get along?


Are They Crazy, or What? Yes, most people think it is very strange that a terrorist would kill himself to achieve his goal. The hijacked airplanes turned into “suicide missions” for the terrorists. We saw this during World War II when Japanese “kamikaze” bomber pilots were willing to crash their airplanes into enemy ships, losing their lives in an attempt to win the war. It is difficult for us to associate “suicide” with “religion.” All religions are about NOT killing, including killing one’s self. But some people may twist their understanding of their religion and insist that they are supposed to kill. They also believe that they will be “rewarded” after death for committing these terrible acts. Some people see these men as murderers; some call them brave heroes. While these things sound very strange to us, remember that a terrorist was once a child. This child may have grown up only knowing war. He may have seen horrible things, even growing accustomed to terror. If he has no parents or others to love him, or a family of his own to love, then we can imagine how he might be affected and influenced. While other young people around the world are going to school, playing sports, making plans for the future, these terrorists-to-be are often “adopted” by older terrorists. When they promise these young men an opportunity to “do good” (even though we know that means doing very bad things!), they may listen. Then they might join other terrorists, and be trained in terrorist tactics. The young men could be encouraged, praised, and rewarded for doing bad things like bombing cars and buildings. This behavior could become a way of life for them.

Al-Qaeda (pronounced al-K-EYE-duh): Osama bin Laden’s main organization with “cells” of terrorists in more than 30 countries infidel: a person who does not believe in your particular religion


Chapter Three You Crossed the Line, Buddy!

We’re Fighting Back! What is terrorism? It is violence and intimidation. By their actions, terrorists are saying, “We will surprise you with strikes against innocent people in order to make you afraid, punish you, and get you to do our will, not your own.” You can be sure that no democratic country will put up with such intimidation and violence. And no country intends to allow terrorists to rule and ruin the lives of their people. Most people have always been against terrorism. Often, nations do not agree with one another, and unfortunately, sometimes resort to fighting wars to try to “win” their way. Many times, countries can resolve their differences through diplomacy—talking, cooperation, and compromise. The peaceful way is the best way. But terrorists are leaving the world’s nations little choice but to fight back in every way they can. You could say that terrorists don’t play fair. Believe it or not, there are actually “rules” for war. Some countries follow these rules; others do not. But terrorists follow no rules. They are sneaky, prefer to hide rather than talk, and have no intentions of achieving their goals through any peaceful means. September 11, 2001, the day terrorists attacked America and killed about 3,000 world citizens, was truly the “day that was different.” On that day, the world agreed that enough was enough. It was time for a few people (there are probably thousands of terrorists around the world) to be stopped from holding nations and their millions of citizens hostage to fear. As the next decades go by, you will be a witness to history—a time when the world tries to put an end to terrorism.


THE WAR BEGINS The “beginning” of something is always difficult. We may find a “turning point”—the day that was different—hard to cope with sometimes. The first day of school. The first day at a new job. The day our first child is born. “Wow!—what have I gotten myself into?” we wonder.

Now, America and the world are mostly past the terrible turning point day of September 11, 2001. We are at the beginning of a long road in a new war against an enemy that is difficult to find and fight—terrorism. President George Bush reminded us to be patient, and that it will take a long time to achieve our goals. The first step is always the most difficult! Here are ways we began the war against terrorism! • The war effort was named ENDURING FREEDOM. • President Bush formed a coalition (a group with a common goal) with nations who agreed to work together on this war against terrorism. • The Taliban, the unofficial government of Afghanistan, was warned to turn over terrorist Osama bin Laden, or suffer the consequences. • America’s military prepared to perform their duty to protect America. • The President named a person to be in charge of homeland security. • On October 7, 2001, U.S. troops and other military forces made the first attacks on targets throughout Afghanistan. In other words, we wisely did not just jump up and blindly retaliate because we were so angry. America has “enduring freedom,” after all. But to be sure that all nations are free from terrorism, most leaders agreed that it was smart to handle the situation in an organized and well-planned manner. By December of 2001, the U.S. and its allies had deposed the Taliban, but the Taliban is not gone. The war continues as the new government of Afghanistan works to integrate Taliban fighters who do not support al-Qaeda into the democratic system. There are ongoing problems in the country, but there is also progress. The people of Afghanistan elected their first president in 2004! © Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror• Page 22

What’s In a Name? The Defense Department gives names to military operations. Examples include: • Operation Overlord: name for the D-Day invasion of World War II • Desert Shield and Desert Storm: names for operations during the Persian Gulf War • Enduring Freedom: name for the first operation in the War on Terror • Iraqi Freedom: name for the invasion of Iraq in 2003 What is the purpose of names? They help identify a particular campaign and its goal. As a war goes on, the name helps distinguish one military operation from another. A strong name helps us all rally behind that particular military effort!

Who is the Enemy? Before you can fight a war, you have to determine who your enemy is. Everyone agreed that the people of the country of Afghanistan are not the enemy. These people have lived a war-torn life for many years. Their country has been bombed heavily in previous wars, and the people have never really recovered. When the U.S. was attacked on September 11, 2001, the Taliban was in control of Afghanistan. They were not elected by the people—they just took power over the people! The Taliban protected terrorists including Osama bin Laden. They got their money from selling drugs—most of the poppy flowers used in the production of the drug heroin are grown in Afghanistan. The Taliban spent this money to fight their own people so that they could stay in power. No, the Afghans are not the enemy. So, who is? President Bush announced a “Most Wanted” list of the international terrorists that the War on Terror will fight. Just two examples of the people and organizations on the list were Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden!


Taliban: fanatic Islamic militants who ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001

Who was Osama bin Laden? Osama bin Laden was born in the Middle Eastern country of Saudi Arabia. His father was very wealthy and when he died, his son (one of more than 50 brothers and sisters!) inherited many millions of dollars. Osama bin Laden was a Muslim; he practiced the religion of Islam. So do most Saudi Arabians. Saudi Arabia is the home of Mecca, the religious capital of Islam. Osama bin Laden did not like his country’s relationship with America. He resented that the United States and Saudi Arabia were friends. In fact, he came to hate the United States. He did not like our “western ways.” He believed we were a terrible influence on his home country. He hated us so much that he grew determined to destroy America and our way of life. He used his religion as an “excuse” to try to achieve this goal. After moving around awhile, Osama bin Laden settled in Afghanistan, then Pakistan. You could say that most countries did not really want to have him as a citizen. As a fanatic who brought a lot of fear and pain to the world, he became a person few people wanted to have anything to do with. The U.S. military found and killed bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011. Today, nations that protect terrorists like Osama bin Laden are pitted against nations who are determined to put an end to terrorism.

What Happened First? President Bush warned us that the war against terrorism will be a long war. Military leaders tell us this will be a “different” kind of war. Some things we will know about; others we will not. As we watched the news, we saw our military prepare for war. We saw President Bush and his top advisors meet and plan. And we watched world leaders cooperate with America and one another in the proposed war against terrorism.


Some of the first plans made included: • Warning the Taliban that they could not continue to protect terrorists and be part of the world community. • Forming an alliance with other nations opposed to terrorism. • Putting military and security personnel workers around the world on the alert for terrorists and those who help them. • Getting America’s military into position for war. Ships were moved out to sea. Fighter jets were readied for action. Civilians signed up for military duty.

Here is a list of some of the things needed to conduct the War on Terror. • Money • Soldiers • A plan • Information • Leaders • Maps • Equipment • Supplies • Communication tools

• Humanitarian groups, such as the Red Cross, helped refugees relocate so that women, children, and the elderly would be protected from war as much as possible.

What’s Happened Since September 11? Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States and its allies have made progress in the War on Terror. • The United States and its allies have disrupted many serious terrorist plots against the U.S.! • A new democratic government has replaced the Taliban in Afghanistan. Even so, conflicts with leftover Taliban members and other militant groups continue in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, where terrorists are known to be hiding. • Many terrorist leaders have been killed, including Osama bin Laden and the head of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. • The United States invaded the country of Iraq in March of 2003. Iraq’s dictator, Saddam Hussein, supported terrorism and, at the time, was believed to have weapons of mass destruction (WMD). • In April of 2003, Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad, was captured by American troops. • Saddam Hussein was captured in December of 2003, tried, convicted, and in 2006, put to death. • The people of Iraq have created a new, democratic constitution and held elections, forming a representative government. • U.S. troops have remained in Iraq to help the country rebuild itself and keep the peace between warring factions. Sadly, many American soldiers have lost their lives in this process. • Americans want to bring their soldiers home as soon as possible, but the countries of Iraq and Afghanistan need to be stabilized. As violence in Iraq has declined, President Obama has made plans to hand control over to the Iraqis in the future. • In late 2010, democratic protests started in several Arab countries controlled by dictators. We do not know yet what will come of these uprisings in the long-term, but there is much hope for new leadership in these countries. Creating peace and stability in these parts of the world will create environments that DO NOT support terrorism! © Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror • Page 25

What Have We Learned from Other Wars? While there has never been a war like the one on terrorism, America has learned some things from past wars. Just a few of these hard-learned lessons include: •Peace is best, but when it is not possible, we should have a clear reason to go to war, a specific enemy, and a definite objective. •War is a team effort. It requires not only the cooperation of all the military services, but also the support of the public. •War is about sacrifice. During World War II, children did not have new toys because the equipment and material once used for that purpose were instead used in the war effort. •War is about people. We may say it is about land or principles, but it is about individuals and how they are changed by war. A famous quote says that if we do not learn from history, we will repeat our mistakes. The war against terrorism may include errors and mistakes. But there is one more thing we have learned about war from battles in the past—good usually prevails over evil. And that is when we can say a war has been “won.”

The “Players” The war against terrorism is between two teams: America and its allies versus terrorists and those who help them. Let’s look at some of the “players” in the War on Terror: IN AMERICA: The president of the United States and members of his staff: the vice president, attorney general, secretary of state, national security advisor, secretary of homeland security, and many others, plus the United States military! ALLIES AROUND THE WORLD: Leaders of the countries of Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, and many others intend to fight for an end to terrorism. Even Middle East nations like Pakistan that mostly have Muslim citizens are standing with America and its allies against terrorism. TERRORISTS AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT THEM: Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network, groups that support terrorists and give them money, and any nation that provides a safe haven for terrorists.


You may wonder: If most nations are against terrorism, why don’t those who support terrorists hand them over and avoid war? That is a very good question. Only those few nations can answer that. Perhaps they believe in their own reasons to fight war. Or perhaps they are just too stubborn and eager for power at any cost. Of course, they are sacrificing belonging to the larger world community, which works for peace and prosperity in all nations.

The “ Stans” You may have heard the names of a lot of nations on the news which all end with “stan.” Stan means “home of.” Five nations near Afghanistan that are helping America in the war against terrorism include: •Kasakhstan (CAH zik stan): Largest of the “stan” countries; about four times the size of Texas. Half Christian/half Muslim. Agreed to provide airspace and military bases. •Kyrgyzstan (CUR juh stan): Small country which has suffered terrorist attacks by Islamic rebels. •Tajikistan (tah JEEK es stan): Poor neighbor of Afghanistan; has helped in the fight against the Taliban. •Turkmenistan (turk MEN es stan): About the size of California. Also shares a border with Afghanistan. •Uzbekistan (ooze BECK es stan): A nation of 25 million; has been bombed in past by Islamic rebels. America needs all the allies (war friends) it can find for the war against terrorism. Because nations near Afghanistan have also suffered from attacks by terrorists, they are especially eager to help track down such people and put an end to their actions. These countries are also volunteering to help with the humanitarian needs war creates. This includes getting food and shelter for refugees who are forced to flee war-torn areas.


What is War? Why Do We Fight Them? There’s a song that goes “War! What is it good for?—Absolutely nothing!” Unfortunately, there has always been war. Equally unfortunately, there probably always will be wars. But that doesn’t mean that people have given up on trying to stop wars. Wars can often be stopped before they begin through diplomacy, cooperation, and compromise. Diplomacy is discussion to try to resolve a problem peacefully. When we can’t resolve a disagreement through diplomacy, cooperation, or compromise, we often feel the only choice left is war. We can name many famous wars that involved America: World War II, Vietnam, the Gulf War. We may not be able to name all the wars fought between other countries, but we know that such wars go on all the time. Now, the United States and many other countries are resolved to fight a new war—a war against terrorism. Why do countries resort to war? Here a few reasons: • People are so deprived of freedom, food, jobs, or other “necessities” that they feel they have nothing to lose if they go to war to fight for what they need. • People are jealous, suspicious, and/or distrustful of other people in or outside of their country, and end up at war with them. • A dictator starts or provokes a war, and even if the people do not want a war, they are stuck in it. • A nation sees another country whose people are being killed or mistreated and feels it must intervene and go to war to stop the killing. • One nation has a history of war with another or several nations, and there just seems to be no way to stop it. • A country is attacked and forced to defend itself. These are just a few of the very complicated reasons that people go to war. You might see why it is easy to say, “We should never have war,” but can you see any “good” reasons to go to war on the list above? © Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror• Page 28

Fighting War Today What do you picture when you imagine war? Perhaps you see guns and tanks and soldiers. Maybe you think of airplanes and pilots and ships and sailors. Or bombs and missiles. Today, wars are fought in all kinds of ways—old-fashioned as well as newfangled! The president and America’s military leaders have told Americans again and again that the War on Terror will be a “different” kind of war. What do they mean? Read the list of ways we conduct “modern warfare” below!

Here are just some ways “war” is fought today: • Conventional war: invasion of another country using soldiers, guns, and other traditional methods and tools • Diplomacy: working in public and behind-the-scenes meetings to try to reach agreements instead of war • Sanctions: penalties to try to force another country to cooperate or suffer consequences, such as not being able to trade with other countries, therefore losing money and jobs for their own people • Electronic warfare: the use of computers to control missiles, for example, or using computers to track and stop money being spent by the enemy on war • Surveillance: using satellites in space or other means to learn what an enemy is up to • Intelligence: the gathering of information about an enemy so that some attacks they may have planned can be stopped


Electronic “Hot Pursuit”:

Computers and War

Computers have changed peace and war. Following the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, we saw many examples of this: •Some people communicated via e-mail on their computers •Airports used computers to track hijacked airplanes •Law enforcement officers used computers to track the actions of possible terrorists and their accomplices Most of the time, we consider our own personal computer (if we have one) our private machine. We want our information to be private unless we share it with others on purpose. However, where once the only way to “chase” people who committed crimes was to hop in a squad car and speed after them, now law enforcers are finding they can use computers to help track down and capture terrorists.

Computers use data, and even when data is “erased,” it can still be contained somewhere in the computer’s database. Therefore, information can be traced backwards into a computer and the computers it has communicated with. This backtracking can help find where terrorists have been, what they have been doing, and who has been helping them. This information is very useful in conducting a war against terrorism!

What’s All This Talk About Chemical and Germ Warfare? Terrorists are always thinking of new ways to terrorize people. No wonder that following the 9/11 attack on America by terrorists, most of the world’s nations agreed to join in a war to end such terrorism! Once, terrorists used weapons such as guns and bombs to achieve their goals. Today, they also use computers to transfer funds to spend on terrorism, and cell phones to communicate with one another. Some terrorists (although very few and on a limited basis) have used chemicals or germs. This is called biological warfare. In a subway in Japan, terrorists released a poisonous chemical gas that made many people very sick. Even in American history, we know that sometimes blankets infected with the disease smallpox were given as “gifts” (Gee, thanks?) to Native Americans. Since they had no immunity to the “white man’s” diseases, many were infected and died.


In November, 2001, Americans experienced a biological warfare event. Anthrax-infected letters were sent through the mail to various media operations and governmental offices. It was not clear whether these were actions of domestic or foreign terrorists, but the illness and deaths that followed alarmed Americans. Many Americans might have thought we were not vulnerable to such attacks.

WAR!!

Some people believe that germs will play a part as weapons in future “wars.” We can take heart in knowing that although sometimes deadly in our bodies, most germs don’t survive very well once they leave their hosts. Therefore, many people believe that with more security we can avoid future disaster. There are many precautions we can take against biological warfare: •Keep our public health systems strong •Enforce tight security of our water systems •Stockpile antidotes for diseases that we are not immunized against now

CT! A F

In 1863, a Confederate surgeon was arrested and charged with trying to import yellow fever-infected clothes across Union lines during the American Civil War.

Most nations of the world are very opposed to any type of war based on chemicals or germs. Agreements have been put into place to destroy such materials. During the war on terrorism, everyone will be working to make sure terrorists cannot create or otherwise get their hands on weapons of bio-terrorism.

The Military: Who Is Fighting the War Against Terrorism? America’s armed forces are among the best in the world! Here are the groups that make up America’s military: ARMY: From paratroopers to soldiers to special units, such as the Green Berets, America’s army is strong, experienced, and dedicated. The Army National Guard provides much-needed help in crisis situations, both at home and abroad.


NAVY: Sailors and their ships serve in many ways. Ships bring soldiers, supplies and airplanes to the war front! AIR FORCE: These “top guns” have the right stuff! The amazing fighter jets they fly today are small and fast. MARINE CORPS: Semper Fi is the Marines’ motto. It is Latin for “Always Faithful”—we can count on our Marines! COAST GUARD: Our national shoreline is protected by these fine men and women. Perhaps you know someone who will have to “go to war.” In every war, families have been sad, but proud, to send their sons and daughters to fight for the cause of freedom. Only some of these soldiers actually end up fighting. Many, many more serve in support roles, helping with planning, supplies, medical needs, transportation, communications, and the other jobs essential to running an operation as big as a war.

Spy Versus Spy! One thing that kids are always interested in about wars is spies and secret codes! It’s true: spies and secret codes have played important roles in wars. During World War II, Native American “code-breakers” helped win the war by cracking the secret communication codes of the Japanese military. From the American Revolution’s paper code books to computerized codes of today, codes and ciphers have been a part of war.

ciphers: letters or numbers used to create a code; each cipher represents a letter of the alphabet cryptography: the study of code-writing and code-breaking

Espionage is the secret collection of information (called “intelligence”). Such “undercover” searches are conducted by spies. A spy tries to get secret information about an enemy during wartime. One way a spy does this is to operate in the enemy’s territory in disguise. Yes, this is very dangerous! A counterspy pretends to be spying for a nation, but is actually spying on that country. Counterspies are also called “double agents.” Spying is such a serious crime that most countries consider it to be punishable by death.


In the United States, the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) is the main group that gathers information related to our national security. The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) works to prevent spying on America. Their tools include miniature cameras, satellites, aerial photography, wire-tapping of telephones, “bugs” (hidden electronic listening and recording devices), and computer technology.

It’s Tough Out There! Unfortunately, America and other countries have found it very difficult to get spies into Al-Qaeda. Members of Al-Qaeda often belong to big, extended families or are close friends.

Special Forces The worldwide war against terrorism is being fought by many types of military forces. Some “battles” look like traditional war, with ground forces, tanks, and hand-to-hand combat. Other, more high-tech attacks, take place with ultra-high-speed aircraft firing missiles electronically guided directly to specific targets. We see this type of warfare on our nightly television news. Other smaller, specialized units of soldiers—known as special forces—conduct secret attacks that we may not even know about. Just a few of these specialized fighting units include: SPECIAL FORCES: Known as the Green Berets; a highly-trained branch of the U.S. Army; can conduct secret operations behind enemy lines. NAVY SEALS: The Navy’s Sea, Air, Land team, trained to operate in small units to perform secret operations with precision and swiftness. MARINE RECON: Recon Marines date back to World War II. They are expert paratroopers and scuba divers trained to strike hard and fast to complete their mission. DELTA FORCE: Special counter-terrorist unit; their missions may include special operations to explore possible war zones and provide the military with advance information. SPECIAL OPERATIONS: These Air Force pilots fly specially outfitted helicopters and fixedwing aircraft for covert missions such as counterinsurgence and combat rescue. U.S. ARMY RANGERS: Trace their history to 1670; expert riflemen in the American Revolution; also active during the War of 1812, the Civil War, and World War II; includes trained mountain climbers and skiers, experienced in performing their operations in tough terrain and extreme cold.


Who Will Tell Us About the War? We’ve all heard the man with the deep voice: “This is CNN!” Reporters were among the first on the scene after the first airplane crashed into the World Trade Center. In the past, we have seen reporters on television bravely reporting from war zones. These reporters often work in hot, cold, or dirty places, where there is real danger. Some war correspondents lose their lives while reporting from areas where combat is underway. Reporters may work for newspapers, radio, TV, magazines, or other media. Their goal is the same: to report the truth. Sometimes the truth is hard to figure out. We watch these reporters, writers, photographers, and newscasters every day. We want facts. We want to know all sides of the story. And we want the background information that helps us understand what the “news” reported that day actually means. As you know, even the average citizen can turn into a reporter. You might have seen film footage of a tornado, hurricane, or earthquake made by someone on the scene of a disaster who had a video recorder with them. Some of the dramatic video and photographs of the World Trade Centers disaster were made by people suddenly turned “reporters.” As you watch news of the war on terrorism, listen to reporters and think about what they are saying. Do you agree? Disagree? Want to know more? An Arabic television station called Al Jazeera is headquartered in Doha, Qatar. Many Middle Eastern countries “tune in” to hear this news.

The U.S. military has allowed reporters to be “embedded” with troops during the War on Terror. This means they live with and travel with the soldiers for months. Reporters give a close-up view of what life is like for the soldiers. They also report on the military action daily. Sadly, as in many wars, some journalists have been kidnapped and even killed by the enemy.


Making Them Whole Again One of the saddest things in war is when soldiers lose legs or arms due to injury. Limbs often have to be removed to save the soldier’s life. Experts say that there were about 30,000 amputations in the Union Army during the Civil War! One of the ways the Iraqi insurgents attack American soldiers is by using improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These are deadly homemade bombs that shoot out things like glass, carpet tacks, and rusty ball bearings. Soldiers wear vests that protect their vital organs, but many have lost limbs to these bombs. Other soldiers have stepped on land mines. The good news is that artificial limb technology has come a long way! The Department of Defense is giving a lot of money to companies that make artificial limbs. Soldiers today can get prostheses (artificial limbs) that use computer technology to make them work more like real limbs! Researchers are now working on artificial limbs that will move when the brain tells them to move. Some people believe that in the future, people who have lost an arm can get an artificial one that can throw a baseball or play the piano! insurgents: armed rebels that organize and use violence against a government or other authority


Chapter Four The Religion of Islam and There are many religions in the world. One of the major world religions is Islam. The people who practice the Islamic faith are called Muslims. The center of Islam is Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. Islam is a very old religion. Its practitioners believe in God, whom they call Allah, and peace. Sometimes we hear the term “fundamentalists.” In Islam this means Muslims who follow certain good rules: they do not believe in killing, stealing, drinking alcohol, gambling, and other such things.

Islam Fast Facts: • Islam: Arabic for “submission,” “surrender,” or “commitment” • Mohammed: prophet who started Islam • Allah: what Muslims call God • Muslims: followers of Islam • Some places where Islam is practiced: Pakistan, India, Indonesia, China, United States • Mecca: Islam’s holy city • Qu’ran (Koran): Sacred book of the Muslims • Mosque: Muslim place of worship • Ramadan: Muslim holy month • Muslims pray five times each day • Most Muslims are not Arabs The terrorists who attacked New York City and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001 were Islamic. Does this mean that Muslims are bad people and Islam is a bad religion? No, of course not. Most Muslims are very good and peaceful people, like those of other religions. Any religion can have a very few people who are fanatics. They take good ideas and twist them until they become bad ideas. Why? Because these bad ideas help them achieve their own personal goals, not the goals of the whole group of believers.


the Muslims Who Practice It We may look at a person and not know their religion. However, we often see Muslims dressed in long dresses (women) or wearing turbans and long beards (men). This is one way they express their religion. They may look different, but that is not what makes them bad or good. There are many Muslims in America. Some were killed when fanatic Islamic terrorists attacked America on September 11, 2001. The terrorists insisted they were fighting a “holy war” (jihad) because their religion required it. But most Muslims disagree. They know that Islam is about peace, not war. They are good citizens and are just as sad as everyone else over these attacks. Perhaps they are even sadder because they know that someone of their religion committed these terrible deeds. Their religion does not believe in doing such bad things. However, some people who practice Islam (and other religions) become fanatics. They develop different beliefs and often convince themselves that these beliefs mean they can (and even should) do bad things for what they think is a good reason. Most people of any religion (or even with no religious beliefs) think they are very, very wrong! Throughout history, people have done bad things in the name of religion. Usually this is just an excuse to get their way or to justify doing something bad to achieve their own goals. Of course, sometimes such fanatics believe they are doing the right thing, which only makes them more determined and more dangerous.


Surprising Stuff About Islam and Muslims! Read on to learn some interesting information about Muslims and the Islam religion! ● Islam is more than a religion; it is a way of life. Its goal is to keep God at the center of one’s life. ● Allah is an Arabic word meaning “The God.” People of other faiths, such as Christians and Jews, also use the term Allah! ● Muslim is an Arabic word which means “one who willfully submits to God.” ● Islam teaches that everything in the world—people, animals, germs, flowers, trees, bees— and beyond (planets and stars) is “muslim,” or part of God’s creation. ● Who can become a Muslim? Anyone! You can join the Islamic religion by saying the Shahadah, which says “that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is his messenger.” ● One of every five people on Earth is a Muslim! There are more than 1 billion Muslims in the world. Although we often associate Islam with Arabic nations, only about 15% of Muslims live in those countries. The largest number of Muslims live in South Asia. You can also find Muslims in Africa, Southeast Asia, China, Afghanistan, the United States, Australia, South America, and many other places. ● Because Muslims share the same beliefs, they often find themselves “at home” with fellow Muslims, no matter where they live. They belong to ummah, the worldwide Muslim community.


Muslims in America At least 5 million Muslims live in North America. Some of these people were born into the Islamic faith. Others converted to the Islamic religion. In other words, Muslims are your classmates, your neighbors, or players on your soccer team. Teachers at your school, the mayor of your town, U.S. soldiers, sailors, or Air Force pilots could be Muslim as well!

states withthe themost mostMuslims Muslims are: TheThe 1010 states with are: California YorkYork Illinois New Jersey California NewNew Illinois New Jersey Indiana Michigan Virginia Texas Indiana Michigan Virginia Texas Ohio Maryland Ohio Maryland All around America you will find Islamic mosques (places of worship), schools, colleges, businesses, newspapers, and magazines. Indeed, Muslims were some of the first people to come to America! They sailed with Christopher Columbus, had good navigation skills, and often translated languages. Many slaves brought to the United States from Africa were Muslims. In more current times, Muslims have immigrated to America in search of a better life for their families. Following the events of September 11, we saw that American Muslims are very patriotic. Along with the rest of us they mourned the dead, contributed money to survivors, volunteered their time and talents to help others, and vowed that terrorism should be stopped around the world. In other words, in most ways, Muslims are like you and me!


What Do Muslims Believe? Every religion is based on a set of “beliefs.” Some beliefs are identical or similar from religion to religion. Other beliefs are drastically different. Although people “believe” in their own religion, they respect the religion of others. Sometimes people may try to get you to “join” their religion. You may try to encourage others to become part of your faith. The choosing of a religion is a very personal choice, one that a person can best make after studying religion and deciding independently what he or she really believes Most people say they were “called” to a particular religious faith.

Here are the basic beliefs of Muslims: • The Oneness of God • Adam was a prophet of God; Muhammad was his final prophet • The sayings of the holy book the Qur’an (sometimes called the Koran) • Human life has a meaning and purpose • Humans are all part of one family • Justice, equality, respect for the earth and all creation • Mala’ikah, or angels • People will be judged by God and go to heaven or hell after they die

Who Was Muhammad? Muhammad was born in 570 CE. His father died before he was born and his mother died when he was six years old. He went to live with his grandfather, who died just a couple of years later. Next, his uncle raised Muhammad to be a fine young man. His nickname was al-Amin, or “the Trustworthy One.” At age 25, Muhammad married. He and his wife, Khadijah, had six children. When he was 40, Muhammad began to receive many revelations from Allah. According to the Islamic holy book, the Qur’an, he was God’s last messenger. For many years, Muhammad was persecuted for his beliefs. He and his fellow Muslims moved to a city that today is called Madinah, where Muhammad established Islamic rule. © Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror• Page 40

Over the years, the Islamic faith drew many followers to the area. They established a new community based on the religious beliefs they shared. Muhammad died in 632 CE at the age of 63. Muslims believe that Muhammad’s role as a prophet, or messenger of God, was to help communicate to humankind the way in which they should live.

The Five Pillars Muslims want to obey God. Every good act is an act of ibadah or worship. There are some specific actions that are special. They are called the “Five Pillars of Islam.” I.

Shahadah: A declaration of faith in the principles of Islam

II.

Salah: Worshiping God five times a day: Fajr Before sunrise Dhuhr After lunch Asr Afternoon or early evening Maghrib Just after sunset Isha Nighttime

When the time for worship comes, a mueddhin calls the believers to gather. When Muslims hear this call, the adhan, they go to the nearest masjid, or mosque. Muslims can also worship at home, school, or work by following a special schedule. During this worship, Muslims stand, bow, or lay flat on the floor, while facing toward Makkah (Mecca). An imam leads the worship. The salah is said in Arabic. Afterwards, Muslims may also pray in any language. III. Zakat: Contributions to the poor or needy; estimated at 2.5% of what a person has IV.

Sawm: Fasting (not eating during certain times) during Ramadan, a special Muslim holy month

V.

Hajj: Making a pilgrimage (trip) to Makkah (Mecca) at least once during your lifetime


Muslim Holy Days Most religions observe a special holy day each week. For some religions this is Sunday, although it can be other days of the week as well. In Islam, Friday is the special holy day. On Friday, instead of the usual midday prayers, a special service is held. Salat al-Jum’ah is Friday prayer. Just before this service, the khutbah is given, a short address by the imam, or worship leader. After worship services, Muslims have lunch and enjoy fellowship with one another. In Muslim countries, this is a day off from work for Muslims. On Saturday and Sunday, many masjids, or Islamic Centers, hold classes for young people and adults so they can learn more about their religion.

Other Special Islamic Holy Days: Muharram: First day of this month is the Islamic New Year’s Day; the 10th day of Muharram is when Muslims honor Moses’ leading his people out of Egyptian bondage Laylat al-Qadr: “Night of Power”; one of the last 10 nights of the month of Ramadan; celebrates when Muhammad first received messages of the Qur’an Laylat al-Miraj: 27th day of the month of Rajab; Muslims celebrate Muhammad’s journey to heaven Eid al-Fitr: A major Muslim holiday, which takes place of the first day of the month of Shawwal; concludes with a festival of food and gifts Eid al-Adha: Takes place on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th month; meat is cooked to commemorate religious events of the past and is shared with friends, family, and the needy Mawlid an-Nabi: Muhammad’s birthday; celebrated on the 12th day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal


Muslim Women In most Muslim nations, Muslim women are respected and protected. The Qur’an says that women are equal to men. Women have these rights:

• to own and inherit property • to get an education • to marry or divorce • to keep their own original family name • to vote • to express their opinions on everyday matters • to be supported by their husband or other male relatives

However, we see in the news that in some countries, Muslim women are often restricted from these rights. We especially saw this in Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban. During this time, women were not allowed to leave their homes without a man to accompany them, even to go shopping. They were forced to wear a loose covering from head to toe. They could not work or go to school. If they broke these laws, they were often beaten, and sometimes they were even killed. The writings in the Qur’an encourage men and women to live with mutual love, respect, and affection. One scripture instructs Muslim men that “the best among you is he who is kindest to his wife.” In the seventh century, a revolution in women’s rights occurred due to the teachings of the Qur’an. Before the religion of Islam, women were considered little more than belongings, having the same status to a husband as his livestock.


L et’s Meet a Muslim! Hello, I’m Ameenah, I am a Muslim. I live in Des Moines, Iowa, but I actually go to school in Pleasant Hill. I have two brothers, Joe and Hakeem. I have a cat named Crescent and a dog named Star. My father is an English professor at Iowa State University and my Mom is a fourth grade teacher. As you might imagine, we do a lot of reading at our house. Before school, I bow toward Mecca in the east and say a prayer. I have oatmeal for breakfast—they make oatmeal in Iowa, you know! I might wear my favorite blue skirt, white blouse, and a scarf I call a hijab on my head. We have pizza at school for lunch. My best friend, Kim, and I often take our pizza out on the playground to eat on pretty days. After school, I often have soccer practice. I am not so great, but I really have a lot of fun. I hurry home because I usually have a lot of homework and have to help my Mom make some special dishes for a Ramadan service at our local masjid this weekend. Perhaps one day you can visit me and learn more about Islam, my school, my pets, my pesky brother Joe, my best friend, Kim, and give me some soccer tips!

Muslim Dress Codes! Many people misunderstand the way that Muslims dress. Although you may find Muslims wearing firefighter gear, business suits, a baseball uniform, and other “regular” clothing, many stick to the typical Muslim dress code.


Muslims believe clothing is a covering for the body and should not be designed or used to attract special attention to oneself. They wear loose-fitting clothing which covers most of the body. Muslim women who dress this way are said to be in hijab. The hijab is also the head covering many Muslim women wear over their hair. Even a Muslim school classmate who wears regular Muslim clothing school clothes for women may wear such a scarf. She does this to indicate that she is a Muslim, and to be modest. It would be wrong to criticize a fellow student for any Muslim clothing special religious dress they might wear (especially since they might think a navel ring and bare belly are a lot for men weirder than a simple headscarf!).

Muslim men sometimes wear a long tunic-like garment called a thawb or jelabiyah that covers the body from ankle to neck. Turbans are worn by Muslims in many different cultures. The color and style of the turban can indicate the man’s status and nationality. The kefiyah, kufi, and fez are religious or cultural caps or headdresses that are traditionally worn by Muslim men.


Chapter Five Afghanistan: A Nation at the Crossroads Afghanistan is a country in southwestern Asia. Because of its location at the geographic crossroads of ancient trade routes and warring armies, it has often been invaded, attacked, and pretty much abused by different groups of people. Some of these people settled in Afghanistan. Today, Afghanistan is made up of about 30 million people of many ethnic groups, but mostly one religion—Islam. Because of so many wars, the country is very poor in many ways. Most of the people are poor since outside of farming and sheepherding, there is little for them to do. Many are refugees. Some Afghans live in cities, but most live in small villages in valleys refugee: a person who among the many, many mountain ranges that leaves their own country make up the country’s geography. It is in these for a safer place mountains that terrorists lived and operated training camps that taught young men to become terrorists.

Where is Afghanistan? Here are two views of the world. On the left globe, you can see the continent of North America, and the countries of the United States of America (U.S.A.) and Greenland in black. On the right globe, you can see that we have to go “halfway” around the world to see the country of Afghanistan. Afghanistan is located in southwestern Asia. Beaufort Sea Chukchi Sea Chukchi Sea

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HOW FAR IS IT? If you left New York City and traveled east, you would have to go 6,750 miles (10,863 km) before reaching Kabul, Afghanistan. If you left Los Angeles and traveled west, you would have to go 7,680 miles (12,360 km) before reaching Kabul, Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Fast Facts! Capital city: Kabul Location: Southwestern Asia Area: 251,770 square miles, or slightly smaller than Texas Geographic Regions: Northern Plains, Central Highlands, Southwestern Lowlands Terrain: Landlocked; criss-crossed by mountain ranges filled with caves; also has deserts, plains, fertile valleys Climate: Little rainfall; cold winters, hot summers Crops: Wheat, barley, corn, grapes, melons, raisins, apricots, cherries, figs, mulberries, pomegranates, cotton, nuts, rice, sugar beets, vegetables; farmers also raise sheep and goats Natural Resources: Natural gas, coal, copper, gold, salt, and iron ore Trees: Evergreen, oak, poplar, hazelnut, almond, pistachio Plants: Camel thorn, locoweed, spiny restharrow, mimosa, wormwood Animals: Gazelle, leopard, goat, deer, sheep, urial, ibex, bear, wolf, fox, hyena, jackal, mongoose, wild boar, hedgehog, shrew, hare, bat

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Fly the Flag! The flag of Afghanistan has three equal vertical bands, one each of black, red and green with a gold emblem in the middle. The emblem pictures a mosque encircled by sheaves of wheat that form a wreath. The upper part of the wreath features an inscription in Arabic known as the Takbir, a phrase that means “God is Great.”


Afghanistan’s Ancient History Humans may have lived in Afghanistan as early as 100,000 BCE. Around 2000 BCE, Afghans were already trading with other peoples. Darius I, an early king, expanded the Achaemenid Empire to include Afghanistan. Then, Alexander the Great conquered this empire. However, he did not have an easy time Alexander the Great against the hard-fighting Afghan soldiers. (Interestingly, Alexander later married an Afghan girl named Roxane, a name still popular in the country.) Even today, Afghans are known as determined warriors. From this time on, Afghanistan has been fought over and controlled by many different groups: Seleucids, Kushans, Sassanians, Hephthalites, and many more! One of the most famous men to fight to gain Afghanistan was Genghis Khan, but even he could not hold onto the country for long. Many other rulers tried to gain hold of Afghanistan. Many of these leaders were very cruel. What was all the hullabaloo about? Afghanistan has such a strategic “crossroads” location, any nation could easily see that it would be a valuable country to conquer! After Queen Elizabeth I of England Genghis Khan established the East India Company for trading, the British became interested in Afghanistan. The First and Second Anglo-Afghan Wars cost many lives. From about 1893 to 1929, Afghans enjoyed a time of peace and prosperity. But it was not to last!


Afghan Art: A Victim of War? Afghanistan has many artistic and archaeological treasures. When a war was not being fought in that nation, many tourists from around the world loved to see the Buddhas of Bamiyan. The Buddhas were two enormous sculptures carved into the sandstone cliffs near Bamiyan, Afghanistan. One of the two stood 120 feet tall, and the other, which stood 175 feet tall, was the biggest Buddha in the world. What happened to the big Buddhas? These historic statues were mostly destroyed by the Taliban. Why? Because they had the idea that the statues were against their religion and should be destroyed. The Buddhas were carved out of the Bamiyan cliffs about 1500 years ago. When the statues were bombed to pieces, many people said it was like tearing down the ancient pyramids in Egypt. Many people called it a “crime against culture.” There has been some discussion about possibly rebuilding them, but for now, the spaces in the cliffs where the Buddhas once stood stand empty. Who was Buddha? Gautama Buddha, the founder of the Indian religion of Buddhism, that’s who!

The People of Afghanistan FAST FACTS Population: Around 30 million Ethnic groups: Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, and others Religion: 99% Muslims, practicing the religion of Islam Government type: Islamic Republic Official Languages: Pashto and Dari Currency: the afghani Poverty and illiteracy are widespread. As a result of war, some Afghans emigrated to other countries, including the United States; many others are refugees.


TROUBLING STATISTICS Life expectancy (how long people live) of Afghans is very short, between 43 and 46 years. In comparison, life expectancy in the United States is 75 for men and 80 for women. The average age of the citizens is young! 42 percent of Afghans are under the age of 15. Only 21 percent of Americans are under 15. Literacy levels in Afghanistan are among the lowest in the world. Among women alone, about 88 percent cannot read! Schools in the 1990s were nearly empty (especially when the Taliban were in control). Only half of the Afghan children still in school reached the fifth grade. Today, there is a huge demand for education as Afghanistan slowly (but surely!) changes into a more modern country.

literacy: the ability to read


Getting Things Done in Afghanistan...or Not! If you were to visit Afghanistan, you would find it quite a bit different from the United States! Here are just a few differences you would find: • Residences: Most Afghans live in the country in mud brick homes. Semi-nomads live in goat-hair tents. In cities, people live in homes or apartments. Favorite foods include bread, vegetables, yogurt, chicken, beef, lamb, rice, nuts, fruit, and tea. •Transportation: Instead of trains, buses, cars, and airplanes, you would typically travel by foot or on camels, donkeys, or horses in Afghanistan! Many of the paved roads that existed were badly damaged by years of war. Today, road reconstruction is a top priority in Afghanistan. There are only a few airports with runways long enough for large aircraft to use. •Communication and Media: A limited number of citizens have televisions. There are many more radio and television stations today than there were when the Taliban was in power. The Taliban did not allow television and other entertainment, such as music and movies. Telephone service is improving, and Afghans are getting cell phones! About one-third of Afghans now have a cell phone, but the cellular networks are often unreliable. Internet access is also growing rapidly in cities like Kabul, Kandahar and Mazar-e Sharif. Unfortunately, some of the Internet cafes (public places where people can use computers)are terrorist targets! •Education: The United States is spending millions of dollars to improve education in Afghanistan. This money is being used to build schools, train teachers, buy textbooks, and improve education at Afghan universities. One priority is to reach rural areas, where most of the people cannot read or write! •Resources and Economy: Afghanistan is still a very poor country, but things are improving due to money coming in from other countries. Exports include hand-woven carpets, opium, wheat, hides and pelts, and gems. Natural gas and coal are important natural resources. Most of Afghanistan’s surface area is treeless, rocky fields, suitable only for grazing animals like sheep. A small percentage of land, mostly close to rivers, is used as cropland. Unfortunately, because of the very poor economy, many farmers are using their land for growing poppies, the plant from which the drug opium is made. © Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror• Page 52

Current Events, Afghanistan-Style Like its past, Afghanistan’s modern era and its present have been mostly about war.

In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. After ten long, hard years of fighting, the Russians finally left Afghanistan in defeat. However, it was difficult to see Afghanistan as a winner, since its country, its economy, and its way of life were in ruins.

In 1994, the Taliban came into power. Under its leadership, terrorists such as Osama bin Laden were allowed to establish camps to train terrorists and build weapons. In September 2001, these terrorists were responsible for an attack that used airplanes as firebombs flown into American buildings, killing thousands of people. This atrocity caused the U.S. government to declare a war on terrorism, which was then fought on Afghan soil. By the end of 2001, the war there was far from over, although many of the terrorists had fled, probably only to do more bad things in the future.

During the 1980s, many Afghans fled their homes to become refugees in other countries. War and famine had gotten the best of them. Millions of people had been killed and the country was now filled with mines that could blow a person to bits if he stepped on one. In 1992, the mujahideen (holy warriors) took over. Women were forced to leave their jobs, stay at home, and not show their faces in public. Children were not allowed to attend school.

Now, Afghanistan is yet again trying to pick up the pieces and live in peace instead of war.


A New Afghanistan? In late 2001, the people of Afghanistan saw many changes as the war on terrorism began in their country. The Taliban government had been ousted, so that the Afghans could put their own leaders in place to rule the country.

By 2002, Afghanistan was re-establishing diplomatic ties with other nations. The U.S. embassy was reopened. A new government was formed and a president was elected. Afghanistan still struggles with poverty, fighting between tribes, and the reintegration of former Taliban members (those who do not support Al-Qaeda), into the new democratic system. If enough Taliban fighters become a part of the democratic society, the conflict will lessen. Many countries are willing to help Afghanistan’s government get stronger and keep the terrorists OUT!

Afghanistan is an old country, but it is moving toward becoming a modern country for the good of the whole nation. One of the biggest struggles the country will face will be for the many conflicting groups to learn to work together. All Afghans will have to play a role in leading the nation, including women.

Taliban, You’re Outta Here! How did the U.S. military drive out the Taliban? In October of 2001, American military forces began the fight! U.S. Army Special Forces worked with Afghan forces and used air strikes by the U.S. Navy and Air Force to oust the Taliban and get the Al-Qaeda terrorists running for their lives! The U.S. military then coordinated more air strikes and ground troops with Afghan forces to hunt down stubborn terrorists who hid in mountain caves.


Chapter Six Iraq: A Country in Conflict The United States and its allies went to war in Iraq for several reasons. First, there was evidence that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Iraq’s government had been ordered to get rid of these weapons after the Persian Gulf War, but they refused. In addition, Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, had supported terrorists and let them operate in his country. After 9/11, President Bush had declared his “War on Terror” on countries that harbored terrorists! After trying diplomatic efforts, President Bush declared war on Iraq in March 2003. He called the effort “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” Within a few months, coalition forces declared victory in Iraq because the capital city of Baghdad had been secured. Saddam Hussein’s regime was over! Iraqi citizens held their first elections in 2005, and set up a new government. U.S. and coalition troops remained in Iraq to help the country recover from war and to support the new Iraqi government. However, there were problems. For one thing, no weapons of mass destruction had been found. For another, insurgents continued to fight bitterly, leading to what some called a “civil war.” It became clear that the war in Iraq would last for many years. Violence in the country has declined since 2006. This conflict has proven itself to be unpredictable, but U.S. forces are hoping to hand over complete control to the Iraqis by 2014.

Iraq approved a new flag in 2008 to replace the flag that had flown over the country during Saddam Hussein’s rule. The new flag has three horizontal bands of red, white, and black. The phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) is written across the white band in green Arabic script.


Iraq Fast Facts! Capital City: Baghdad Location: Middle East, bordered to the south by the Persian Gulf Area: 168,754 square miles (land: 166,858 sq. miles; water: 1,896 sq. miles), about twice the size of Idaho Geographic Regions: Southern Delta, Northern Foothills, Steppe-Desert Plains, Northern Kurdish Region (Kurdistan) Terrain: desert plains in the west and southwest; reedy marshes with extensive flooded areas along the southern Iranian border; mountains lie along Iran and Turkey borders Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers in most regions; northern mountainous regions experience cold winters with heavy snow at times Iraq Coastline: 22 miles (35.4 km) long Natural Resources: petroleum, sulfur, natural gas, and phosphates Lowest Point: Persian Gulf Highest Point: Haji Ibrahim (11,811 ft. or 3,600 m) Iraq Crops: rice, barley, cotton, dates, wheat, vegetables Trees: cultivated date palm, poplar Animals: owl, jerboa, cheetah, bat, gazelle, hyena, jackal, sand grouse, antelope, wolf, wild pig, lizard, hawk, wild donkeys Natural Hazards: floods, sandstorms, dust storms 40

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Where is Iraq? Below are two views of the world! On the left globe, you can see the continent of North America. The United States of America, Canada, Mexico, and Greenland each lie on this continent. Spin the globe halfway around the world to find the country of Iraq, shown on the right globe. Notice that Greenland can still be seen from this new view! Iraq is located in the Middle East north of the Persian Gulf.

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ISRAEL LAOS

JORDAN

MAURITANIA

BANGLADESH CHAD

SENEGAL

NIGER

EGYPT

QATAR

d R e

C.A.R.

BELIZE

MALI GUINEA

MAURITANIA JAMAICA

HAITI DOM. REP.

BURKINA

SIERRA LEONE

BENIN SENEGAL CAMEROON

COSTA RICA

TOGO

Caribbean Sea

GAMBIA

SIERRA LEONE

LIBERIA

IVORY COAST

GHANA

GHANA IVORY COAST

EQUATORIAL GUINEA SAO TOME & PRINCIPE

INDIA

SAUDI ARABIA

Bay of Bengal

BRUNEI

U. A. E.

Arabian Sea MALAYSIA OMAN

BENIN

MALAYSIA

CHAD

CONGO GUINEA


KAMPUCHEA

OMAN

NIGER DEM. REP. OF CONGO

NIGERIA

BURKINA

NICARAGUA

a S e

HONDURAS

VIETNAM

THAILAND BAHRAIN

GUINEA BISSAU

MYANMAR

PAKISTAN

KUWAIT

LIBYA

GAMBIA

MALI

WESTERN SAHARA

GUATEMALA

EL SALVADOR

South China Sea

NEPAL IRAN

ALGERIA Canary Islands

THE BAHAMAS CUBA

NIGERIA

YEMEN

ERITREA

SINGAPORE

TOGO GABON SUDAN

INDONESIA

LIBERIA

DJIBOUTI

SRI LANKA


EQUATORIAL GUINEA

VENEZUELA COLOMBIA

ETHIOPIA

SOMALIA

SAO TOME & PRINCIPE

GUYANA

I N D I A N

ANGOLA


GABON

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CONGO

O C E A N

O C E A N

DEM. REP. OF CONGO

UGANDA

KENYA

RWANDA NAMIBIA BURUNDI

TANZANIA

ANGOLA

PERU BRAZIL

ZAMBIA MOZAMBIQUE

O C E A N

MALAWI BOLIVIA

NAMIBIA ZIMBABWE

MADAGASCAR

BOTSWANA

PARAGUAY CHILE

SOUTH AFRICA

SWAZILAND

LESOTHO

ARGENTINA

URUGUAY

HOW FAR IS IT? If you left New York City and traveled east, you would have to cross 6,009 miles (9,670 km) before reaching Baghdad, Iraq. If you left Los Angeles and traveled west, you would have to cross 7,665 miles (12,336 km) before reaching Baghdad, Iraq.


Iraq and Its Neighbors Like most every nation, Iraq has neighbors. Some are friends with Iraq, and some are not. Iraq has six geographic neighbors, and a small coastline on the Persian Gulf near Kuwait. Iraq shares its the longest border with Iran.

Border Len g ths

Iran: 906 m (1,458 km)

Kuwait: 149 m (240 km)

Syria: 566 m (605 km)

Jordan: 113 m (181 km)

Saudi Arabia: 506 m (814 km)

Turkey: 219 m (352 km)

30˚E

35˚E

40˚E

45˚E

Bucharest

50˚E

55˚E

60˚E

Aral Sea

RUSSIA

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KAZAKHSTAN

KAZAKHSTAN

B l a c k

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BULGARIA

Tbilisi

GEORGIA

Caspian Sea

UZBEKISTAN

ARMENIA

Ankara

40˚N

AZERBAIJAN

Yerevan T U R K E Y

Lesbos

40˚N

Baku

TURKMENISTAN

L. Van

Ashgabat

L. Tuz

Rhodes

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Tehran

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Mediterranean Sea

SYRIA

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Crete

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35˚N

Damascus

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Baghdad Amman

35˚N

AFGHANISTAN

IRAQ

Dead Sea

JORDAN 30˚N

30˚N

Cairo

KUWAIT

Kuwait

PAKISTAN

Ni

Persian Gulf

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Str. of Hormuz

BAHRAIN

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25˚N

25˚N Gulf of Oman

Riyadh Red Sea

U. A. E.

Lake Nasser

S A U D I

Abu Dhabi

Muscat

A R A B I A

20˚N

20˚N ve Ri

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S U D A N

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Sanaa Asmara

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ile

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DJIBOUTI

ETHIOPIA

Djibouti

0 SOMALIA

30˚E

500 Miles

Suqutra

White Nile

15˚N

Arabian Sea

35˚E

40˚E

45˚E

50˚E

55˚E

500 KM Parallel scale at 25˚S 0˚E 60˚E


Iraq’s Ancient History The country of Iraq didn’t always exist! Long ago, there was a region called Mesopotamia near the middle of the world. Many of our greatest civilizations developed in Mesopotamia, the region where the Republic of Iraq now lies. Sumer was the earliest known culture, developed in 3500 BC, followed by Babylonian and Assyrian control. In 539 BC, the kingdom of Persia, led by Cyrus the Great, gained control. Later King Alexander the Great conquered the Persians. The Greek dynasty ruled for more than 200 years after Alexander’s death. This dynasty brought “Hellenistic” Alexander the Great culture to the area. Later, a series of Persian dynasties reigned until Islamic Arabs conquered the region in the 7th century. The Arab dynasty of Abbasid built the capital city of Baghdad in 750 AD. This advanced culture built a sophisticated irrigation system and was known for scholarship. In 1258, Mongols, led by Hulagu the grandson of conqueror Genghis Khan, later destroyed Baghdad, including the irrigation system. This guy was really bad! He killed all the scholars in Baghdad and built a pyramid with all their skulls. The Mongols ruled the region from a distance for many years. When the last Mongol leader died, anarchy Genghis Khan spread. This meant that there were no rules or form of government. Then, as if everything else wasn’t bad enough, the Turks came and sacked Baghdad in 1401! The Turkish conqueror Tamerlane also built a pyramid of skulls. Turkey and Iran fought to control present-day Iraq for a long time until the powerful Ottoman Empire gained control in the 17th century. The Ottomans ruled until the British came into the picture in the 1800s. Iraq became an independent nation in 1932.


Saddam Hussein: Rise to Power Saddam Hussein was born among poor peasants in Tikrit, nearly 100 miles northwest of Baghdad, in 1937. His small village had no running water or electricity. People traveled barefoot and lived in mud huts with grass roofs. Poverty prevented Hussein from attending school until his teenage years. Instead, his abusive stepfather required him to steal animals to sell for income and work long hours in the fields. He soon ran away. Saddam Hussein later enlisted in the army and soon became interested in politics and power. In 1958, he joined the Ba’th Party when the reigning King Faisal II was overthrown. During his years with the Ba’th Party, Saddam Hussein helped with two assassination plots. These decisions landed him in jail for two years. In 1968, the Ba’th party established a dictatorship that ended the monarchy era in Iraq. General Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr became president, and Hussein was named vice president. In 1979, Saddam Hussein overthrew Bakr and declared himself president of Iraq and military head. Then he executed more than 50 leaders who were associated with Bakr, for treason. Since no evidence supported these claims, everyone knew that Saddam only wanted to secure his new position. Saddam built his power structure on fear. The people did not The name Sad dam elect him and were afraid to criticize their government. Anyone who means “the on e who opposed him could be jailed, tortured, or even killed. His capture at confronts.” Th e name the end of 2003 led to a new freedom for the Iraqi people. “Hussein” can be spelled more than a do During their father’s reign, Uday and Qusay Hussein zen ways in Arabic responded very differently to power. The elder son, Uday, was known . for his wild, violent, and extravagant lifestyle. He was paralyzed from the waist down by an assassination attempt. The more responsible son, Qusay, controlled the Ba’th Party and was heir to the family dynasty. Both sons were killed by U.S. forces in the war. In 2003, Saddam Hussein was captured. He was brought to trial and convicted of many crimes. On December 30, 2006, he was put to death by hanging.

The former dictator Saddam Hussein… • slept in a different bed every night • was shot in the leg during a coup attempt • walked with a limp • was protected by 20 identical impostors • owned 100 palaces • had a food taster, drink taster, and bed tester • liked the music of Frank Sinatra • wore handmade Italian shoes • dyed his gray hair black to look younger • smoked Cuban cigars • admired Al Pacino • read speeches typed in giant letters in “The Godfather” movie (poor vision)


Kurdish Heritage The Kurds are the largest minority group in Iraq. Of Persian descent, the Kurds have inhabited the four northernmost provinces in the mountains for nearly 3,000 years. The Kurds have never had their own country. The rough mountain terrain makes it difficult for anyone to control or regulate the Kurdish villagers and tribesmen. Other minorities in Iraq include the Sunnites (SOO-nites) and Shiites (SHEE-ites). The Sunnites live in north central and northern Iraq, and the Shiites live in central and southern Iraq. Kurds are Muslims, but they are not Arabs. As non-Arabs, the Kurds cannot seem to fit into Iraq without conflict. Iraq has persecuted this culture for decades. They want all the Kurds to leave Iraq. The former dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, and his army were known to deport thousands of Kurds to the neighboring nation of Iran and then dynamite their entire villages. Soldiers kidnapped Kurdish young people and then questioned them about rebel actions. Sometimes they came home unhurt, but they were usually tortured or killed. The worst persecution came in 1988 when Iraq used biological warfare against its own people. The former Iraqi regime dropped chemical weapons on more than 40 villages in Kurdistan. These weapons killed hundreds and wiped out entire villages. In response to their oppression, minorities in Iraq rebelled against the government. Once Saddam Hussein visited a Shiite village called al-Dujayl. Assassins (not the villagers) attacked the president and his entourage of body guards. They wanted to kill Saddam so that his oppressive dictatorship would end and people could live without fear. After the military rescued the president and killed the assassins, Saddam deported everyone in al-Dujayl and destroyed the deport: forcing a entire village.

citizen to leave his or her native country for another destination


Major Players in the Iraq War Each of these people played an important role in the Iraq War. How many of them do you recognize from the news? Read more below!

George W. Bush commander-in-chief, U.S. President George W. Bush, leader of the United States, initiated the Iraq War. As president, Bush also served as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He worked with Congress, a cabinet of advisors, and high-ranking military officers to make important decisions about the war.

Tony Blair supporting ally, U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair led Great Britain, the closest ally of the United States, during the beginning of the war. Both America and Great Britain believed that the Iraqi people should be free, and their soldiers fought to make that a reality. Blair made brave decisions about the war with the Parliament, even though many people in his country did not agree with his actions.

Saddam Hussein former dictator, Iraq Saddam Hussein was the president, chief of state, and central leader of the Ba'th political party. As dictator of Iraq, Hussein controlled the government, economy, and people. He was caught, convicted, and executed for crimes against his country. A new Iraqi government was formed in 2005 with a prime minister and president.

Kofi Annan international leader, Ghana Kofi Annan was Secretary-General of the United Nations during the Iraq War. After the first Persian Gulf War, Iraq agreed not to own, buy, or make weapons of mass destruction. Iraq ignored the agreement for 12 years. Then some nations tried to enforce that treaty. Annan presided over United Nations discussions about how to handle the Iraqi disobedience.


Donald Rumsfeld military strategist, U.S.

Colin Powell diplomat, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell traveled overseas to help discuss the war and negotiate disarmament strategies with other countries. He presented strong evidence for a war in Iraq to the United Nations representatives. Powell also advised President George W. Bush on how best to deal with other countries.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld helped plan military strategy for the war. He advised President George W. Bush on how to defend the United States from attack and how best to free the Iraqi people during the Iraq War. Rumsfeld was a presidential cabinet member and served on the National Security Council.

Barack Obama commander-in-chief, U.S. President Barack Obama, who came into office after George Bush, changed the name of the conflict in Iraq from “Operation Iraqi Freedom” to “Operation New Dawn” toward the end of 2010. Though violence in Iraq has been intense over the course of the war, it now appears to be lessening and hopefully foreign troops will pull out completely in 2014.

N R E D O M Read about the major wars in modern Iraqi history.

Years 1980-1988

WHAT HAPPENED Iraq invaded Iran

ENEMY Iran

Ended when... cease-fire declared

1990-1991

Iraq invaded Kuwait

U.S.

cease-fire declared

2003

Iraq defied U.N. resolution

U.S. and U.K.

U.S. wins

2003 to present

Coalition forces work to stabilize the “new Iraq”

insurgents

Iraqi military and police are able to take over

! F a s t F a cUtnited States and the e

with th d monetar y nflict of 2003 Hussein offere D uring the co am d ad S t en d g enemy om, Presi g or destroyin in ur United Kingd pt ca r fo soldiers s of war. rewards to his en for prisoner ev or , es an pl tanks and © Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror • Page 63

The People of Iraq FAST FACTS Population: Around 30 million Ethnic groups: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5% Religion: Muslim 97% (who practice Islam), Christian or other 3% Government: Iraq is officially a republic of 18 provinces. Official Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian Currency: Iraqi dinar (IQD) Independence: October 3, 1932 (when Iraq was freed from British rule and control) National Holiday: Republic Day (July 14, 1958) not official Suffrage: Everyone at least 18 years of age may vote.

IRAQ STATISTICS Net migration rate to Iraq is a shocking zero percent. Population growth in Iraq ranks very low at 2.4 percent. The literacy rate of Iraq: 74 percent of citizens over the age of 15 can read and write. The average life expectancy of the total Iraqi population is 70 years. Females live approximately 72 years, while men can expect 69 years of life. Iraqi women bear between three and four children on average. 59 percent of Iraqi people are between 15 and 64 years of age. However only 3 percent of Iraq is composed of citizens 65 years and over.


Women and Children We know that war involves many people. Men and women serve in the military. Men, women, and children were killed during the Iraq-Iran War, the Persian Gulf War, and the recent War with Iraq. Men and women are national leaders and decision makers in many nations around the globe. Today women and children have a special role to play in the world situation. Despite talk of war and politics, those who make the decisions should remember the innocent women and children. Every effort to save lives and prevent injuries should be made during war and during peace. Children are especially important because they are the future of world. You are the next generation! Education in Iraq: Iraq had a very good educational system in the 1980s. But years of war and destruction have taken a toll on schools. Although the United States has poured millions of dollars into the school system, there is much more to be done. Today about 25 percent of Iraqi children from first grade to eighth grade do not attend school. Many of them is live in rural areas. Others do not attend school because their of Baghdad The University parents fear for their safety. ty in Iraq.

a ss tt F Fa c tt !! ac F Fa

ersi the largest univ

Women and children as refugees: During the wars, many women and children who lived in major cities had to leave their homes for safety reasons. They sought a safe haven from the fighting. Advanced technology used during Operation Iraqi Freedom has helped avoid civilian casualties. Civilians are regular people who aren’t involved in the military, and casualties are deaths caused by a disastrous or military event. This new technology includes precision-guided missiles that are accurate enough to strike specific military targets, and not schools or hospitals by accident. Women in many Middle Eastern countries are not allowed to participate in the political process in order to improve their status. If the war against terrorism is successful, perhaps more nations will give women a voice and a chance to build a better future for all citizens.

Fast Fact!

Iraq has 20 un

iversities!


What’s Happening In Iraq Today? • The United States is helping to rebuild Iraq. Efforts include restoring electricity, providing safe drinking water, and improving health care. • The U.S. government has helped re-establish many of Iraq’s schools. • Iraqi students now use revised math and science textbooks. They’ve also received millions of school supply kits. Teachers make 10 times their previous salaries, but unfortunately, many of the best professors have left the country. • More than 33,000 new Iraqi businesses have started since 2003! • Women make up 25 percent of the Iraqi parliament, which is the highest proportion in the Arab world! • Unemployment continues to be a problem in Iraq. The Iraqi government is currently trying to improve the economy with better laws to protect businesses. • Although many things are improving in Iraq, people are still fearful to go out in the streets in certain areas because of continuing attacks by gangs and insurgents. • New medical equipment has been given to Iraq to replace very old instruments.


Chapter Seven How Has Life Changed for America? Security is all-important in America after the attacks on 9/11. Now you see security checks at concerts, sporting events, tourist attractions—wherever a large crowd gathers. Backpacks and purses are searched, and sometimes not allowed at all! The biggest change since 9/11 has probably occurred in the nation’s airports. Airport security is very important. Screening people and their belongings helps to stop attackers from bringing their weapons on board an aircraft. People are now scanned by metal detectors, and their bags are examined by X-ray machines. Only small amounts of liquid are allowed in carry-on bags. Many airports require passengers to take off their shoes, belts, and other items of clothing before going through the metal detectors. ID cards are checked carefully, and you might even be chosen for a random search! Americans are willing to undergo extra security checks to protect our nation from terrorists. A strong sense of patriotism is evident all over the United States. After our country was attacked, many Americans felt a renewed sense of pride. Many young men and women joined the military. Others line up at airports and cheer American soldiers returning from the war zone! Most people want to get American troops out of Iraq as soon as possible, but it takes time to ensure the safety and stability of the new government. By 2008, more than 4,000 troops had lost their lives in this war.


American flags fly high everywhere in America. Right after 9/11, stores had trouble keeping flags in stock! Yellow ribbon magnets are seen on the back of cars, and yellow ribbons on trees are a common sight all over the country. Americans were shocked by the attacks of 9/11, and many realized that they had taken our country’s freedoms for granted.

Why a Yellow Ribbon? Have you ever wondered where the idea of yellow ribbons to welcome home soldiers came from? No one knows for sure, but some think it came from a 1973 song, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.” The song told the story of a man heading home from prison on a bus. He had told his sweetheart to “tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree” as a message to let him know if she still loved him. The ribbon was there, and the man shouted with joy as he made his way home! So, today, we use yellow ribbons to remember our soldiers as well as welcome them back home.


Chapter Eight Democracy Rules! Land of the Free: How a Democratic Country is Different Some people say that one reason America was vulnerable to a terrorist attack like the one on September 11, 2001 is that we are a democracy. As a democratic country, we enjoy many freedoms: • Citizens are allowed travel freely in and out of the country as well as across the states • Immigrants are allowed to move to America • Visitors to the United States are allowed to travel freely around the nation One of the things we like best about our democratic nation is the freedom that it allows us. In spite of our freedom, we also have laws that people must obey while in our country, whether they are citizens or visitors. When people obey these laws, it helps protect our democratic way of life. Not all nations are democracies. Their citizens may have many more rules and regulations. They may have laws that interfere with rights that are so ordinary to us that we may even take them for granted sometimes. In a non-democratic country, some people are leaders; others must follow these leaders . . . or else. Life is very different from ours under these circumstances. Some people may be jealous of our democratic nation. They may not understand it. They may feel threatened by the power of a country where free will rules. They may even take advantage of our open way of life to harm us. It appears that some of the terrorists who attacked New York and Washington, D.C. had been living in America, perhaps even for years. But they were not working hard like most citizens; they were up to no good, plotting and planning their attacks.


where the people democracy: a country rule Here are the good things about living in a democracy: RIGHT TO ELECT OWN LEADERS RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

FREEDOM TO LIVE ANYWHERE

RIGHT TO OWN PROPERTY

RIGHT TO BE EDUCATED

FREE TO TRAVEL AT WILL

Democracy Makes a Difference! You could say that there are two types of nations in the world: democratic and non-democratic. It’s sort of like a club, and almost everyone would agree that belonging to the “democratic” club is best! Although democracies can be different, they have one thing in common: THE PEOPLE ARE IN CHARGE. In America, we know that we elect our leaders to represent us. That’s what a democracy is: “of the people, by the people, for the people.” If you live in a democracy, you understand how wonderful it is. In fact, it might be hard for us to even imagine living in a place where we cannot speak freely, travel at will, vote, run for office, be entitled to a speedy trial, and other “freedoms” and “rights.” Some people who do not live in a democratic nation wish they did. Perhaps, once, their nation was a democracy. If a few people took over the country, against the will of the majority, this democracy may have gone by the wayside.


Some people who do not live in a democracy do not understand it. Perhaps all they have ever known is being “ruled” like they were children. Or, they may be jealous of America and other democratic countries. Instead of working to build a democracy, they may react by trying to tear down other democracies. We know how America got to be a democracy: we went to war and fought England for our freedom. We have fought many times to protect our democratic way of life. We are not likely to give up our freedoms—ever! Most democratic nations feel that way. That’s why it’s such a special and wonderful club to belong to. Like any members of a club, democracies don’t always agree, but they work very hard to help one another (as “allies”) and to solve problems through diplomacy (“talking”) rather than fighting.


Chapter Nine What Can You Do?

Tolerance and Your Role as a Student It is difficult to understand the thinking of the terrorists who attacked America on September 11, 2001. We know that many terrorists believe they are “right” . . . that it is “ok” for them to attack innocent people . . . that they feel Americans are “wrong” and “bad” . . . and that they think the United States “deserves” to be attacked. While it is easy for us to say, “They are crazy!” “They are the ones who are bad and wrong,” or, “We should just kill their people right back!”—it is always good to stop and take time to think about what has happened to us. While nothing can truly explain the actions of terrorists, and we will never agree with them and they may never agree with us, there are many mistakes we can make that do not help matters. Just a few of these include: • Blame every person who is like the terrorists. After the attacks, some innocent Muslims were attacked, even though they are patriotic Americans, who not only had nothing to do with the tragedy, but also had some of their loved ones killed in the attacks. • Kill innocent people needlessly, just to “get even.” We need to punish the guilty, not the innocent. • Refuse to even think about “those people.” Ignorance is never a good idea, no matter what the subject or the situation. Perhaps one key to helping put an end to terrorism is to make a more peaceful nation of our own. While we do not like to think of ourselves as “terrorists,” we can try to be sure that we are not bullies, that we do not practice intolerance against those who are different from ourselves, and that we do try to understand all people, even if we do not agree with them. While terrorism should never be tolerated, everyone can work harder to make a more peaceful world. What can you do?


Things To Do: Improving You Since the September 11 disaster, you might hear adults say many surprising things: “I don’t even know where Afghanistan is.” “I’ve never even met a Muslim.” “I really don’t know much about the terrorist situation today.” “I wish I knew more about . . .” Beaufort Sea

Chukchi Sea

Chukchi Sea

ARCTIC OCEAN

Beaufort Sea

RUSSIA

Kara Sea

Baffin

ARCTIC OCEAN

GREENLAND

Greenland Sea

Baffin Bay

Bay

Leptev Sea

Barents Sea

Gulf of Alaska

Greenland Sea

R U S S I A

GREENLAND

SWEDEN

FINLAND

Norwegian Sea NORWAY

Kara Sea

Aral Sea

ICELAND

Baltic ESTONIA LATVIA Sea LITHUANIA

Norwegian Sea

IRAN

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Barents Sea

SWEDEN

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R U S S I A UKRAINE

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Hudson Bay

ATLANTIC

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SLOVAKIA

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BELGIUM

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GERMANY

BELGIUM

SWITZERLAND

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POLAND ALBANIA FRANCE

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SWITZERLAND

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Students may feel this way too. But this is something we can fix! Here’s how you can be more knowledgeable about historical and current events:

nea

rra

SPAIN

BELARUS

LUX.

LEBANON

ITALY

ANDORRA

U. S. A.

ALGERIA

Mediterranean Sea

SUDAN

CYPRUS

SYRIA

IRAQ

BHUTAN

LEBANON

Gulf of Mexico

MEXICO

South China Sea

NEPAL

ALGERIA ISRAEL

Canary Islands

CUBA

MALI

WESTERN SAHARA

LAOS

EGYPT

QATAR

SAUDI ARABIA

d R e

MALI GUINEA

KAMPUCHEA

OMAN

INDIA

Bay of Bengal Arabian Sea

a S e

BURKINA

SIERRA LEONE

BENIN CAMEROON

LIBERIA

TOGO

Caribbean Sea COSTA RICA

GAMBIA

IVORY COAST

GHANA

GHANA IVORY COAST

SIERRA LEONE

MALAYSIA

MALAYSIA

CHAD NIGERIA

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

YEMEN

ERITREA

SINGAPORE

TOGO GABON

SAO TOME & PRINCIPE

OMAN

BENIN

CONGO GUINEA


BRUNEI

U. A. E.

NIGER DEM. REP. OF CONGO

NIGERIA

BURKINA SENEGAL

VIETNAM

THAILAND BAHRAIN

GUINEA BISSAU C.A.R.

HAITI DOM. REP.

NICARAGUA

MYANMAR

PAKISTAN

KUWAIT

LIBYA

MAURITANIA JAMAICA

HONDURAS

BANGLADESH

SENEGAL GAMBIA

BELIZE GUATEMALA

EL SALVADOR

IRAN

JORDAN

MAURITANIA CHAD NIGER

THE BAHAMAS

SUDAN

INDONESIA DJIBOUTI

LIBERIA

SRI LANKA


EQUATORIAL GUINEA

VENEZUELA

SOMALIA

ETHIOPIA

I N D I A N

SAO TOME & PRINCIPE

COLOMBIA

GUYANA ANGOLA


GABON CONGO

ECUADOR

DEM. REP. OF CONGO

O C E A N

UGANDA

KENYA

RWANDA

O C E A N

NAMIBIA

BURUNDI

TANZANIA

ANGOLA

PERU BRAZIL

ZAMBIA MOZAMBIQUE MALAWI BOLIVIA

O C E A N

NAMIBIA ZIMBABWE

MADAGASCAR

BOTSWANA PARAGUAY CHILE SOUTH AFRICA

SWAZILAND

LESOTHO

ARGENTINA

50˚E

55˚E

60˚E

65˚E

70˚E

75˚E

80˚E

85˚E

90˚E

95˚E Je

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RUSSIA

Volga

55˚N

55˚N

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• Bone up on your geography! Look at maps and atlases and locate places mentioned in the news.

URUGUAY

Astana

Ural R.

Jenisej

Volgograd Res.

50˚N

50˚N

Irty

sh

R.

MONGOLIA

Volga

L. Balqash

45˚N

45˚N

Aral Sea

Bishkek

Caspian Sea KYRGYZSTAN Tashkent

40˚N

Tarim

R.

AZERBAIJAN

40˚N

Baku

CHINA

Dushanbe

TAJIKISTAN

UZBEKISTAN

Ashgabat

Highest Point: Sad Istragh 23,967ft (7,307m)

TURKMENISTAN

0

Mazar-e Sharif Meymaneh

0

Herat dR

.

Khyber Pass

Kabul

Islamabad

500 KM Parallel scale at 40˚N 0˚E

Huang

35˚N

Ha

s

IRAN

Tigris R.

an

du

m Hel

Indus

Tehran

35˚N

500 Miles

In

AFGHANISTAN

Jin sha

Salween R.

Kandahar

R.

• Visit the school or public library. Log onto the Internet to learn more about Afghanistan, Iraq, the people who live there, and how they live.

KAZAKHSTAN

Euphrates R.

30˚N

IRAQ

30˚N

KUWAIT PAKISTAN

Kuwait

New Delhi

s

du

NEPAL

In

Kathmandu

BHUTAN

Persian Gulf Al Manamah BAHRAIN

putra

QATAR Ad Dawhah

25˚N

Ganges

Abu Dhabi

Gulf of Oman

25˚N BANGLADESH

INDIA

Riyadh

Dhaka

Muscat

MYANMAR

U. A. E. Narm

ada

OMAN

SAUDI ARABIA

50˚E

Salween R.

• Hit the history books! You are now a witness to history. What other history interests you? Don’t forget to talk to elderly people—they have been a witness to some amazing American and world history.

Brahma

Mekong

Thimphu Str. of Hormuz

A r a b i a n

55˚E

60˚E

S e a

65˚E

B a y of Bengal

70˚E

75˚E

80˚E

85˚E

90˚E

95˚E

• Meet a Muslim! Perhaps someone of this faith can visit your classroom and tell you about their religion. • Have discussions. Many Americans are dismayed when we learn people in other nations judge all Americans by the rock music videos or other limited information they see about us. Do we do the same thing to them? Why do we know so little about one another? How can we change this?


Pride and Patriotism, Faith and Hope! In the years to come, as the fight against terrorism around the world continues, there are many things you can do to help! I. Have pride in your nation. Be proud that you are tolerant of others. Have pride in democracy, freedom of speech and religion, and all the other good things that Americans and other democratic nations enjoy. II. Be patriotic! Express your patriotism in many ways: fly the flag; pick up litter; stay informed; learn the words to those patriotic songs we love to sing! III. Have faith. America has been through tough times before. Our response to those tough times made us who and what we are today. There are many good people around the world working for peace. There are not so many “bad apples” in the bully barrel, after all. As civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “We shall overcome”—and good will overcome evil. IV. Hope! Hope is Help+Optimism+Promise+Energy. If you help in any way you can; if you stay optimistic about a positive outcome; if you promise yourself to be part of the solution to problems; and if you act energetically to do all these things, then you can hope for the best outcome possible!

S TA R T N O W ! K E E P I T U P ! N O M AT T E R W H A T YO U R A G E , YO U A R E A C I T I Z E N O F T H E WO R L D A N D A PA RT O F I TS F U T U R E ! © Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror• Page 74

KEEPING A COOL HEAD IN A TIME OF CRISIS! After terrorists attacked the World Trade Centers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., we learned many definitions of the word “hero.” One important characteristic of a hero is to “keep cool.” Some passengers on one hijacked airliner (possibly targeting the White House or U.S. Capitol) managed to keep cool enough heads to bravely attack their attackers and force the plane to crash elsewhere, probably saving thousands of lives. Firefighters, experienced at “keeping their cool” (even in a fire!), rushed to their duty to rescue people. Many lost their lives doing so. A principal whose school was located in the path of the tumbling World Trade towers managed to keep her own “cool” and help her teachers and students evacuate the building and reach safety.

There are many ways we can “keep a cool head” in a time of crisis: •Stop •Look •Listen •Think first! •Stay calm •Follow instructions •Take wise action

In a time of crisis, you may depend on adults to help you. Or, you may be in a situation alone or with a friend or your brothers and/or sisters. Then, you may have to make decisions quickly on your own. Whatever the situation, keeping a cool head is an advantage. Even very young children have stayed cool in a crisis and dialed 911 and given their name and address to someone who could come to their aid. Even a kid can be a hero!

How Will We Know When We’ve Won the War Against Terrorism? The goal of war is victory. Victory in this war will be an end to terrorism. How can we achieve this? It will take more than fighting. It will take more than putting Osama bin Laden and his fellow terrorists out of business. It will take more than resolve. It will take more than America.


Victory will come when the nations that presently put up with terrorists no longer do so. When these nations decide that they would rather belong to the civilized world community, then they will begin to put a stop to terrorists camping out in their backyard. When terrorists are no longer welcome in a country, they will seek to go elsewhere. That’s why almost every country will need to join this NO TERRORISTS ALLOWED! club. Without terrorists and terrorism, people, even in poorer nations, can go about the business of building their country to be stronger without having to worry so much that they will be under attack because of their cooperation with terrorists. The whole world will be on the lookout for terrorists. Everyone will do everything they can to foil their plans, dry up their income, and prevent them from finding peace in safe havens where they can plan their attacks. Throughout history there have always been small groups of people who create terror, often in the name of God, or because they “know best,” or are “right”—and everyone else is wrong. But it is they who are wrong. Wrong hardly ever overcomes right for long. The “winners” in the war against terrorism will be every person who enjoys a more peaceful world. Perhaps as more nations achieve a more peaceful, prosperous way of life, there will be fewer and fewer reasons for young men, or young women, to choose a life of terrorism. That would be a true victory!

20 Tips for Parents and Teachers to Help Kids Cope With War News 1.

Be honest with kids. They know more about what is going on than we think. They are especially tuned in to our reactions. Yes, the event is real. Yes, it is serious. Kids will be more anxious if they think we are afraid to tell them what is happening.

2.

Stick to the facts. Don’t embellish or speculate about what has happened or what will happen. Don’t dwell on the scope or the scale of the tragedy.

3.

Be careful not to stereotype religions or nationalities. Sometimes children generalize a series of negative statements and develop a prejudice. © Carole Marsh • Gallopade International • 800-536-2GET • www.gallopade.com • War on Terror• Page 76

4.

Keep in mind the age and developmental level of your children. Younger kids need simplicity and brevity. They need to be reassured that their structure and routine will not change. Older kids will need more information about safety and about what is being done by the authorities. They may also need help sorting reality from fantasy.

5.

Limit and supervise all media exposure. Most children cannot emotionally process all the sounds and images they could view on television. It is impossible to shelter them from it. The key is to limit and supervise.

6.

Remind kids that there are competent, concerned adults in charge of this situation. Explain that government leaders, military units, medical personnel, police officers, rescue workers, and others are working around the clock to help people and protect against future crisis situations.

7.

Provide information directly to the students, face to face. Avoid giving out blanket announcements via the public address system.

8.

Physical proximity is not a bad thing, especially with younger children. Don’t be afraid to read or play quiet games to transition from one activity to the next. Your nurturing presence will comfort them greatly.

9.

Maintain structure and stability with as normal a routine as possible. Have a plan for the weeks and months ahead of dealing with this crisis. Be a model of calm control.

10. Allow time for age-appropriate classroom or home discussion and activities. 11. Encourage children to talk about their concerns and feelings, whether in general or in response to something specific. 12. Never minimize children’s anxieties or fears. A child’s fear is justified and is very real to him or her. It’s not helpful to say, “There’s nothing to be afraid of ” or the like. 13. If children are hesitant to discuss an incident, ask them what they have heard and how it makes them feel. Let them know that it is okay to feel sad angry, or afraid. Remind them that there are suitable, non-violent ways to express their feelings. 14. Let kids talk through what they would do in case of a crisis at school or at home. They need to feel that there are some measures that they can take to be safer, such as fire drills.


15. Teach age-appropriate ways to call for help, to be safe, and to practice self-defense. This lesson can be as simple as knowing their last name, address, and phone number as well as how to dial 911. 16. Monitor use of the Internet. Yes, the content is disturbing. Kids also need to be aware,though, that personal information such as their name and age can be used by someone who would wish them harm. 17. Observe the emotional well-being of your students. Some children are especially sensitive. Others may have recently experienced a personal tragedy or had a personal connection to the victims or their families. 18. Refer children who seem especially distraught to mental health counselors at school. It will be necessary to inform parents as well. 19. Find out about school and community resources that are available to help children. 20. Children have a strong natural desire to help others. Provide them an outlet by encouraging them to pray for our country and our soldiers. Urge them to think hopeful thoughts. Help them make and send cards to soldiers overseas or to ones recovering in military hospitals. One act of kindness goes a long way!

s e Jone y Pfc Jo red Infantr mo r A t s 1 q ad, Ira Baghd

this all r, g you u for e i sold endin nk yo s ar a De I am to th . g t sen doin , pre are riend you Your f my Jim


Chapter Ten We Will Never Forget! The events of September 11, 2001 were a turning point in American history. The evidence was clear: there is an enemy out there determined to harm Americans and attack our way of life! It was time to stand up and fight back! In 2006, memorial services were held all over the country on the fifth anniversary of September 11. Americans wanted to remember those who sacrificed their lives on that day. And even in Afghanistan, half a world away, American soldiers laid wreaths to remember those lives lost. In New York, families who lost loved ones gathered at Ground Zero. The name of every victim at the site was read out loud. Four moments of silence were observed at the ceremony—two for when the planes hit the towers and two for when the buildings collapsed. A memorial service was also held at the Pentagon near Arlington, Virginia, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania where United Flight 93 crashed after passengers fought back against the terrorists. At the Pentagon, Vice President Dick Cheney spoke these words about the War on Terror:

“This struggle is fierce, and it will be lengthy, but it is not endless. Our cause is right. Our will is strong. This great nation will prevail.” A Place to Pay Respects Memorials are being built at each place where American lives were lost on September 11. In New York: The World Trade Center Memorial and Museum will be located at the World Trade Center site where the two towers stood. It consists of a park and two square pools of water that sit in the footprints of the towers. Waterfalls will run along the walls of the pools. The names of the victims will be inscribed in stone around the pools. Visitors will be able to walk down and look at the pools through the waterfalls.


At the Pentagon: The Pentagon Memorial features 184 lighted benches positioned according to the victims’ ages—from 3 to 71 years old. The benches resemble diving boards, and will have a small pool of water underneath each one. The America’s Heroes Memorial and chapel is located inside the Pentagon where the plane crashed into the building. In Shanksville, Pennsylvania: Visitors to the Flight 93 National Memorial will see and hear a Tower of Voices—40 wind chimes representing the passengers and crew members who died in the plane crash. Groups of maple trees will line a walkway around the natural bowl shape of the land where the crash occurred. The names of the victims will be inscribed on a wall inside the bowl.

A Monument of Light One of the first memorials to the victims of September 11 was a dramatic tower of light! In 2002, 88 searchlights created two columns of light reaching to the sky at the World Trade Centers site. It was absolutely beautiful! The Tribute in Light was shown on the anniversary of 9/11.

A Proud Ship! The World Trade Centers towers may have tumbled to the ground on September 11, 2001, but they are not gone forever! A new U.S. Navy warship called the USS New York is being built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Centers. The steel was melted down and poured into molds used to make the bow section of the ship. The USS New York is a new class of warship! Its missions may include special operations against terrorists. The ship will carry 360 sailors and 700 Marines who can be brought ashore by helicopters and small assault ships. Other ships in the new class will also be named for events of September 11. One will be called the USS Arlington (where the Pentagon attack took place) and the USS Somerset (the Pennsylvania county where United Flight 93 crashed). The USS New York was christened in 2008. The ship’s motto says it all: “Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget.”


Glossary Have you ever heard these words on the news and wondered what they mean? Al-Qaeda: a worldwide terrorist network civil war: a war between people of the same country coalition: a combination of two or more groups working toward a common goal extremist: a person who holds radical or extreme views that are far from normal views (may also be called a fanatic) Ground Zero: nickname given to the site of the fallen World Trade Center towers insurgent: a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against a government or the people in charge Islam: the religion Muslims practice Jihad: war supposedly fought for a “holy” purpose militant: a person involved in war or violence to achieve a goal Muslim: a person who practices Islam Osama bin Laden: the terrorist believed to have planned the September 11, 2001 attack on America patriotism: to have a great pride in your country Taliban: group of extremist Islamic religious leaders who claimed to be the leaders of Afghanistan; they were not chosen by the people and were not recognized as the official government by other countries; deposed in invasion of 2001 terrorist: a person who does violent things with no warning to frighten innocent people weapons of mass destruction: chemical, nuclear, germ-warfare, or explosive devices designed to kill or injure a large number of people


Author’s

Biography

Carole Marsh is the founder and CEO of Gallopade International, an award-winning, woman-owned family business founded in 1979 that publishes books and other materials intended to guide, inspire, and inform students of all ages. She was named Georgia Author of the Year for Middle Readers in 2007. Her work has been honored with numerous awards, including the iParenting Media Award for Greatest Products, Excellence in Education award, and Best Family Books by Learning Magazine. Midwest Book Review called her mysteries for children “true gems of education and entertainment for young readers.” Carole Marsh is the creative force for nearly 10,000 supplemental educational materials that Gallopade currently publishes. Popular series include Carole Marsh Mysteries™, winner of the 2004 Teacher’s Choice Award for the Family, Mary America, The Students‘ Civil War™, State Stuff™ which is available for all 50 states, American MilestonesTM, and many more! Carole Marsh is the daughter of a World War II veteran. “I believe that we can most help children learn and cope with today’s current events through factual, age-appropriate, sensitive, and hopeful materials.” Hey kids! Have your teacher photocopy this page so you can cut out this convenient postcard! Write on it what you thought about this book, and what you might like to see next! Then put a stamp on it and drop it in the mail!

Dear Ms. Carole Marsh:

FROM: Put Stamp Here

TO: Carole Marsh c/o Gallopade International P. O. Box 2779 Peachtree City, GA 30269 USA


Further Resources Books War: What Kids Should Know by Carole Marsh 20 Good Things Kids Can Do In Times Of War/20 Good Things Kids Can Do In Times Of Peace by Carole Marsh The Reckoning: Iraq and the Legacy of Saddam Hussein by Sandra Mackey

Web Sites http://www.iraq.net http://www.iraqfoundation.org http://www.iraqdaily.com http://www.iraqjournal.org http://www.iraqwatch.org http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ geos/iz.html Movie United 93 (2006)

Saddam Hussein: A Political Biography by Efraim Karsh and Inari Rautsi Four Centuries of Modern Iraq by Stephen Longrigg Iraq: From Sumer to Saddam by Geoff Simons The Middle East in Search by Cathryn J. Long The Story of the Persian by Lelia Merrell Foster Why Do Wars Happen? by Don Slater Lands and Peoples by Richard W. Bulliet World Desk Reference by Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc.


Index Afghanistan: 3,4,19,22,24,25,27,38,43,46-54,73,79,81 Al-Qaeda: 17,20,22,25,33,54,81 Baghdad: 25,55,56,57,59,60,65 bin Laden, Osama: 17,18,20,22,24,26,53,75,81 Bush, George W: 8,22,24,55,62,63 Ground Zero: 10,79,81 Hussein, Saddam: 8,25,55,60-63 Iraq: 3,8,23,25,55-67 Islam: 3,15,24,27,36-44,46,50,64,81 Kurds: 61 limbs, artificial: 35 Muhammad: 38,40-42 Muslims: 3,4,15,17,36-45,50,62,73,81 New York: 6-12,36,47,57,69,75,79,80 Obama, Barack: 8, 63 Pentagon: 6-8,13,75,79,80 reporters: 34 Taliban: 17,22-25,43,50-54,81 United Flight 93: 11,79,80 Washington, D.C.: 6-11,69,75 World Trade Center: 4,6,7-10,12,18,25,34,75,79-81


The Day That Was Different: September 11, 2001 Everything You Need to Know About September 11, 2001...and Beyond

What do you know about September 11, 2001? Perhaps you recall where you were and what you were doing when you learned about the unfortunate events of that day. Or maybe you were too young to know what all the fuss was about and "9/11" seems like ancient history to you? You may not even have been born yet! Today, more than ten years after that tragic day, "9/11" is history. And we know that when we study history we can learn a great deal not only about the past, but also about current events, and the future. You surely know about America's and the world's ongoing battle against terrorism. In this book, you will learn what this war is all about. In fact, you will learn just about everything you need to know to understand "the day that was different" and all that it set in motion that affects our lives today. Just some of the things you will learn from this book: • What happened on September 11, 2001

• Surprising facts about Muslims and the religion of Islam

• Who terrorists are and why they hate America

• What’s happening in Afghanistan and Iraq today

• What Al-Qaeda is

• How life has changed in America since 9/11

• How technology is used in modern warfare

• How America is remembering its fallen heroes

OTHER TITLES IN THIS SERIES • • • • • • • • • •

What Is Islam? Who are Muslims? September 11, 2001: The Day That Was Different Iraq: A Country in Conflict September 11, 2001: The Day That Was Different Activity Pack Someone I Love Went Off To War...What Do I Do? War: What Kids Should Know Terrorists and Terrorism: Who, What, Where, When and Why They Exist Afghanistan: A Country at the Crossroads of War and Peace United We Stand: America's War Against Terrorism 20 Good Things Kids Can Do in Times of War / . . . Peace

Carole Marsh, author of more than 10,000 books!

ISBN-13: 978-0-635-09173-4 90000

9 780635 091734

7

10430 09034

1

www.gallopade.com

The Day That Was Different: September 11, 2001

One Day in History: September 11, 2001

One Day in History: September 11, 2001

Eric Hufschmid 11. September 2001

Harper Collins One Day in History September 11 2001

11 September 2001 War, Terror and Judgement

Hintergründe der Anschläge vom 11. September 2001

The War on Freedom: How and Why America was Attacked September 11, 2001

The Economist - 29 September 2001

The Economist - 01 September 2001

The Economist - 08 September 2001

The Economist - 15 September 2001

The Economist - 22 September 2001

The Day Lincoln Was Shot

The Economist - 11 August 2001

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All Day September

The Wonder that was India

The Jewel That Was Ours

The Jewel That Was Ours

The Corpse That Never Was

The Corpse That Never Was

The Legend That Was Earth

September 11, 2001 (Turning Points in U.S. History)

Interview Wer und Was steckt hinter dem 11. September

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Legend That Was Earth

All That Was Happy

All That Was Happy

WAS IST WAS, Band 11: Hunde

Inductive Logic Programming: 11th International Conference, ILP 2001, Strasbourg, France, September 9-11, 2001. Proceedings

The Day That Was Different: September 11, 2001

One Day in History: September 11, 2001

One Day in History: September 11, 2001

Eric Hufschmid 11. September 2001

Harper Collins One Day in History September 11 2001

11 September 2001 War, Terror and Judgement

Hintergründe der Anschläge vom 11. September 2001

The War on Freedom: How and Why America was Attacked September 11, 2001

The Economist - 29 September 2001

The Economist - 01 September 2001

The Economist - 08 September 2001

The Economist - 15 September 2001

The Economist - 22 September 2001

The Day Lincoln Was Shot

The Economist - 11 August 2001

11 сентября 2001

All Day September

The Wonder that was India

The Jewel That Was Ours

The Jewel That Was Ours

The Corpse That Never Was

The Corpse That Never Was

The Legend That Was Earth

September 11, 2001 (Turning Points in U.S. History)

Interview Wer und Was steckt hinter dem 11. September

That Was Then

Legend That Was Earth

All That Was Happy

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