Islam

Islam is the second most popular religion in the world with over a thousand million followers. Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God, called Allah, who speaks Arabic. Islam is the second most popular religion in the world with over a thousand million followers. Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God, called Allah, who speaks Arabic. The Muslim calendar has 354 days and is based on the 12 crescent moon cycles. The Muslim calendar has 354 days and is based on the 12 crescent moon cycles.

Islam Holy Book

The Koran The Muslim scripture is the Holy Qur'an. It is 'the word of God'. Muslim beliefs and practices are rooted in the Qur'an. The Muslim scripture is the Holy Qur'an. It is 'the word of God'. Muslim beliefs and practices are rooted in the Qur'an. Muslims treat the Qur'an with great respect because they believe that the Qur'an is from Allah, and every word and every letter is sacred. Muslims treat the Qur'an with great respect because they believe that the Qur'an is from Allah, and every word and every letter is sacred. Muslims regard the Qur'an as the unaltered word of God. Muslims regard the Qur'an as the unaltered word of God. It is read from right to left and written in Arabic, the language of heaven. It is read from right to left and written in Arabic, the language of heaven.

About as long as the New Testament About as long as the New Testament 114 suras, arranged from longest to shortest 114 suras, arranged from longest to shortest Most suras are collections Most suras are collections of Mohammeds teachings with no overall theme Suras are labeled by Suras are labeled by distinctive or unusual words found in each No historical chapters No historical chapters Strictly speaking, cannot Strictly speaking, cannot be translated, only paraphrased

Islam Place of Worship The Muslim building for communal worship is called a Mosque. The word comes from the Arabic for "place of prostration". The Muslim building for communal worship is called a Mosque. The word comes from the Arabic for "place of prostration". Worshippers are called to prayer 5 times a day from minarets – towers on the mosque corners. Worshippers are called to prayer 5 times a day from minarets – towers on the mosque corners. They contain only designs, no people or animals or furniture. They contain only designs, no people or animals or furniture. Normal day of worship is Friday. Normal day of worship is Friday.

Mohammed Born about 570 in Mecca Born about 570 in Mecca About 610, claims to receive visions and messages. About 610, claims to receive visions and messages. These collected and written down about 650 as the Koran. These collected and written down about 650 as the Koran. Flees to Medina, 622 (hegira) Flees to Medina, 622 (hegira) Return to Mecca, 630 Return to Mecca, 630 Unified Arabia by the time of his death in 632 Unified Arabia by the time of his death in 632

Myth : Most Muslims are Arabs who live in the Middle East Myth : Most Muslims are Arabs who live in the Middle East Reality: Reality: Of more than 1 billion Muslims worldwide, only about 1/5 are Arabs. Of more than 1 billion Muslims worldwide, only about 1/5 are Arabs.

The world of Islam

The Pillars of Islam 1. Creed 2. Five daily prayers 3. Alms 4. Fasting during Ramadan 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) Haji denotes one who has made the Hajj

Sources of Islamic Doctrine -Koran (from root meaning read or study) -Hadith (tradition): traditional sayings of Mohammed and other early followers -Tradition of the Mahdi -Sharia (way): Codified Islamic Law

Schism about 700 A.D. Reasons: Reasons: Succession to Caliphate (Kalifa, successor; successor of Mohammed) Succession to Caliphate (Kalifa, successor; successor of Mohammed) Incorporation of non-Koranic elements into Islam Incorporation of non-Koranic elements into Islam Worldliness of Caliphs, discrimination against non-Arab Muslims Worldliness of Caliphs, discrimination against non-Arab Muslims Shiites (shia: party or faction) about 10% (mostly Iran) Shiites (shia: party or faction) about 10% (mostly Iran) Fundamentalist? Fundamentalist? Sunnites (Sunna: beaten path) about 90% Sunnites (Sunna: beaten path) about 90%

Shiites

Main Festival Hijja: The month of pilgrimage during which all Muslims, at least once in their life, should try to make the pilgrimage to Mecca and worship at the Kaaba

Myth : Muslims believe it is o.k. to kill civilians in a holy war (jihad). Reality : Only Muslim extremists believe this. (Just like most Christians do NOT believe in bombing abortion clinics.)

Myth: Most Muslim women wear veils over their faces and are treated very badly. Reality: Muslim women have many different styles of dress. (Very few cultures require women to cover their faces.) The treatment of women varies from country to country and family to family. The treatment of women varies from country to country and family to family. Some Muslim countries, like Pakistan, have had female prime ministers. Some Muslim countries, like Pakistan, have had female prime ministers.

Pakistani dress (left); Saudi Arabian (right)

Iranian woman

Somali (left); West African (right)

Malaysian (left); Indian/ Bangladeshi (right)

Afghani women wearing burqas

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque), Istanbul Turkey

Mosque in Malaysia

Conclusions: Islam is an important religion, which shares many beliefs and practices with Christianity and Judaism. Islam is an important religion, which shares many beliefs and practices with Christianity and Judaism. Muslims live in many different countries. Islam is especially widespread in Africa, Asia, and southeastern Europe (the Balkans). Muslims live in many different countries. Islam is especially widespread in Africa, Asia, and southeastern Europe (the Balkans). Islam has had a great impact on world art and culture. Islam has had a great impact on world art and culture.