Islam

Terminology The religion is called ISLAM The people are MUSLIMS 2

Myth #1 Most Muslims are Arabs who live in the Middle East.

Reality Of more than 1 billion Muslims worldwide, only about 1/5 are Arabs.

Try to Guess Which country has more Muslims than any other country in the world?

Answer Indonesia - with over 200 million Muslims. The U.S. has about 5 million Muslims. Indonesia - with over 200 million Muslims. The U.S. has about 5 million Muslims.

Famous American Muslims

Myth #2 Muslims have a strange religion and worship a god called Allah.

Reality Muslims are monotheistic and worship the same one God as Christians and Jews (Allah).

Myth #3 Muslims believe it is OK 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 #4 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. Some Muslim countries, like Pakistan, have had female prime ministers. The U.S. has never had a female president.

Pakistani dress; Saudi Arabian

Iranian woman

Somali; West African

Malaysian; Indian/Bangladeshi

Afghani women wearing burqas

History The founder and prophet of Islam is Muhammad. Born in Mecca in 570 CE, Muhammad experienced a revelation when he was forty years old. Muhammad fled from persecution and migrated to Medina. The main principle of Islam is the submission to God. The word Islam literally means to submit. The founder and prophet of Islam is Muhammad. Born in Mecca in 570 CE, Muhammad experienced a revelation when he was forty years old. Muhammad fled from persecution and migrated to Medina. The main principle of Islam is the submission to God. The word Islam literally means to submit.

Roots in Abraham “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Genesis 13:16

Abraham’s Genealogy ABRAHAM SARAH HAGAR Isaac Esau Jacob 12 Tribes of Israel Ishmael 12 Arabian Tribes

Sons of Abraham Isaac Jacob and Esau Descendants of Jacob are 12 tribes of Israel (Jews) Descendants of Esau are Amalekites, or today’s Palestinians The Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation. Exodus 17:16 Isaac Jacob and Esau Descendants of Jacob are 12 tribes of Israel (Jews) Descendants of Esau are Amalekites, or today’s Palestinians The Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation. Exodus 17:16 Ishmael Descendants are Ishmaelites or Arabs “... He will live in hostility toward all his brothers” Genesis 16:12 Muhammad is descendant of Kedar, son of Ishmael

The Prophetic Tradition Adam Noah Abraham Moses Jesus Muhammad

The Qur’an  Muslims believe it contains the word of God.  114 suras (chapters)  The Recitation  Written in Arabic

The Dar al-Islam The World of Islam

The Shahada 1 1  The declaration of faith: There is no god worthy of worship except God, and Muhammad is His Messenger [or Prophet]. There is no god worthy of worship except God, and Muhammad is His Messenger [or Prophet].

The Salat 2 2  The mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed  Wash before praying  Face Mecca and use a prayer rug

The Zakat 3 3  Almsgiving (charitable donations).  Muslims believe that all things belong to God.  Zakat means both “purification” and “growth.”  About 2.5% of your income.

The Sawm 4 4  Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.  Considered a method of self- purification.  No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

The Hajj 5 5  The pilgrimage to Mecca  Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime  2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year  Those who complete add the title hajji to their name

FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM IMPORTANT BELIEFS & VALUES 1. Faith There is no god but ALLAH who spoke through the prophet Mohammed 2. Pray five times a day 3. Alms: Give to the poor 4. Fast during the holy month of Ramadan 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca at least one in your lifetime

The Mosque  The Muslim place of worship.

Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Ali mosque, Cairo, Egypt

Inside the Mohammed Ali Mosque

Interior of a mosque in Iran

Mosque in Djenne, Mali (West Africa)

North African mosque

Indonesian mosque

Mosque in Tempe, Arizona

The Dome of the Rock Mosque in Jerusalem Mount Moriah Rock where Muhammad ascended into heaven.

Islamic Religious Practices  Up to four wives allowed at once.  No alcohol or pork.  No gambling.  Sharia  body of Islamic law to regulate daily living.  Three holiest cities in Islam: * Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.