1. The Arabian Peninsula and the beginning of a new Monotheistic religion: Islam Monotheism: Belief in one God. Mecca

2. Arab people learned how to live with very few resources.

3. Many moved from place to place to make a living. Caravan: A group of travelers journeying together.

4. Mecca was built around an oasis on the trade route that linked the Mediterranean world with South Arabia, East Africa, and India. People stopped there to get food and water.

5. Mecca developed into an important religious center too. In the center of town there was a shrine where people put their idols. Shrine : a building where people put something sacred or special. KABA

6. An Idol: An image used as an object of worship. There were 360 idols stored in the Kaba in Mecca.

7. Muhammad was born into this polytheistic and unjust world. (The rich were treated special. Slaves and women were not treated well.) He received messages from an angel named Gabriel.

8. Muhammad was told that he was Allah’s messenger (Prophet) and that he was to spread the message that there was only 1 God and that his name was Allah. All the other idols in the Kaba were powerless.

9. Islam was the third monotheistic religion to enter the Mediterranean world. 2000BC ……………………….33AD………….610 AD Religion: Judaism Christianity Islam People: Abraham/Moses Jesus Muhammad Holy books: Torah Bible Quran

10. There are MANY differences between the 3 religions. But they are all Monotheistic.