1. Islam: An Overview

2. The Arab World

3. The Muslim World

4. I. Who is an Arab? A. Refers to a cultural and linguistic group Not a race/not a religion 1. Most Arabs are Muslim but not all Millions of Arab Christians and Arab Jews 2. Arab world is 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa containing 300 million Arabs Linguistic/racial/religious diversity –Kurds in Iraq

5. II. Who is a Muslim? A. Muslims are followers of Islam –Islam means “submission to God” B. 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide –2 nd largest religion –15-18% of all Muslims are Arab (about 193 million) Of the ten countries with the largest Muslim population, only one is an Arab nation.

6. III. Ten Largest Muslim Countries 1)Indonesia (170 mil) 2)Pakistan (136 mil) 3)Bangladesh (106 mil) 4)India (103 mil) 5)Turkey (62.4 mil) 6)Iran (60.7 mil) 7)Egypt (53.7 mil) 8)Nigeria (47.7 mil) 9)China (37.1 mil) 10)Afghanistan (31 mil) You need to know the top three largest Muslim Countries!!!

7. IV. Introduction to Islam A.Qur’an (Koran) is the holy book of Islam God’s work as revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel Basis for Muslim beliefs B. Muhammad is the greatest prophet Received revelation directly from God. C. Hejira- the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina – Became known as the turning point in Islam and marked the beginning of the expansion of the religion D. Sharia is Islamic law derived from the Qur’an, Hadith (teachings), and rulings of Islamic scholars

8. V. Five Pillars of Islam A. Shahadah or Declaration of Faith –“ I profess that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad [peace be upon him] is his messenger ” B. Salat or Prayer –Five times a day C. Sawm or Fasting during Ramadan D. Zakat or Contributions to needy people –Contributions/charity to help needy E. Hajj or Pilgrimage to Mecca –Pilgrimage to the Ka’bah in Mecca at least once in a lifetime if possible –Ka’bah is a sacred shrine that is believed to be built by Abraham and Ishmael and houses many idols placed inside over the years. Also it is believed that the sacred Black Stone, a meteorite sent from heaven, is located here.

9. VI. Sunni vs. Shia- Why the division? A. The principal issue centers on the question of leadership after Muhammad ascended into heaven. –Majority of Muslims are Sunni –Shia Muslims are the minority found mostly in Iran, Southern Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and parts of Lebanon. –Shia number between 130 million and 195 million(or 10-15% of the worlds 1.3 billion Muslims) B. Both share a belief in the 5 Pillars

10. Sunni and Shia continued… C. Caliph- successor to the prophet –Sunni Muslims believe…. Any devout Muslim could be the next caliph and that the community can elect the next caliph as long as the candidate had the right qualifications –Shia Muslims believe … Only descendants of Muhammad could be the next caliph

11. The Muslim World Light Green…predominantly Sunni Dark Green…predominantly Shia

12. WHY IS ISLAM SO MISUNDERSTOOD IN TODAY’S WORLD?

13. I. Dangerous Misconceptions about Islam A. MYTH: Islam and Christianity have nothing in common –Muslims, Christians, and Jews all worship the same God (Allah) –Jesus in a very highly regarded prophet in Islam –Muslims greatly respect the Virgin Mary as the mother of Jesus –Qur’an teaches that Jews, Christians, and Muslims are all “People of the Book”

14. Misconceptions continued… B. MYTH: “Jihad” permits Muslims to use violence in the name of Allah (holy war) –“Jihad” means “exertion of effort or struggle” (Physical, emotional, intellectual) not “holy war” –War (“harb”) is not found in the Koran although Islam does allow for war in self-defense and does not permit the harming of women, children, or elderly.

15. Misconceptions continued… C. MYTH: Islam oppresses women –No more than Christianity –Certain cultures/gov’ts are oppressive; not Islam –Bad stereotypes associated with Taliban and other fundamentalist groups

16. ReligionHouse of Worship Mono or Poly theistic Name of followers Book of worship Important figures in worship Days of Worship Important People in Everyday Worship

17. ReligionHouse of WorshipMonothe istic Or Polythei stic Name of people who follow teachings Books of worship Important figures in worship history Days of Worship Important people in everyday worship Judaism SynagogueMonoJewTorahAbraham, Moses Sundown Friday to Sundown on Saturday Rabbi Christianity ChurchMonoChristianBibleJesusSundayPriest, Minister, Pastor Islam MosqueMonoMuslimQu’ranMuhamm ad FridayImam