The Middle East is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, all monotheistic religions that grew from the same tradition. Each religion used the texts from earlier groups, and so they share many rules and beliefs. ... All three share a tradition of prophets, from Adam and Abraham to Solomon and Joseph.
SOUTH ASIA
The culture of South Asia is completely entwined in language, ethnicity, and religion. There are hundreds of languages, ethnic groups, and many popular religions. These things, along with Western influences, especially from the old British Empire, produce a patchwork of local cultural variations and differences.
MUSIC
MIDDLE EAST
The Arabic scale is strongly melodic, based on various maqamat (sing. maqam) or modes (also known as makam in Turkish music). Further distinguishing characteristics of Middle Eastern and North African music include very complex rhythmic structures, generally tense vocal tone, and a monophonic texture.
SOUTH ASIA
The wide field of musical phenomena in South Asia ranges from the relatively straightforward two- or three-tone melodies of some of the hill tribes in central India to the highly cultivated art music heard in concert halls in the large cities.
