CREATION ISLAM - KS1 Background: This presentation aims to introduce KS1 children to the concept of creation in Islam. Creation can usefully be defined as ‘Bringing something into existence’. Here, we are thinking about the Muslim belief, shared by Jews, Christians and others, that God made everything on Earth, including human beings, and everything else in the whole universe. The Qur’anic mentions of the creation are interpreted in different ways by different Islamic scholars, but it is introduced here for young children in a way that encourages them to reflect on the deeper meanings of the term. Of particular importance is the idea that, for Muslims, the belief that Allah is the creator of all, means that human beings have certain responsibilities to care for the world and its creatures.

Why is our world special? The Big Question Why is our world special? Image: Earth from Apollo 17, 1972. Explain to the children that this introduction to the idea of creation in Islam begins with a big question. In this case, the question is ‘Why is our world special?’ The question assumes that our world IS special, of course, but for the purposes of this introduction, children are being asked to consider what might make it special for Muslims. This ‘starter’ presentation can be used to compare other worldviews about the world and its ‘specialness’. Explain to the children that this question will help them think about what kind of world we all live in, and what guidance can be found about how best to live in it. Ask them to look at the image of the planet earth and explain that it is a photograph of our world, taken from space. What do they think of this picture?

Muslim beliefs about our world Muslims believe that there is one true God. The Islamic name for God is Allah. Allah is the creator. Allah provides all good things. Allah created the heavens and the earth. Allah created human beings and everything that lives. This starter activity uses a technique called ‘Lectio Divina’, being developed by Lesley Prior, Abdullah Trevathan and Hugo Verkest. For more information, see their article, ‘”Listen carefully, attending with the ear of your heart”: a report on work in progress’, in REsource, 34:2, Spring 2012, Christian Education Publications, pp 16-18. For the pronunciation and meaning of ‘Allah’, go to http://www.reonline.org.uk/specials/re-audio/reaudio.html Explain to the children that a Muslim is a person who follows the religion of Islam. Muslims learn about their religion from their Holy Book, The Qur’an. Muslims believe that the words of the Qur’an were given to the Prophet, Muhammad, by God (Allah), through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). Ask the children to listen silently, perhaps with eyes closed, to each word as you read the Muslim beliefs on this slide. Encourage them to listen to the words ‘with their hearts as well as their ears, from a place deep within themselves’. Read slowly, pausing for a few moments at the end of each sentence. Explain that, after a short period of silence, you are going to read the words again and encourage the children to remember any words or phrases that seem to stand out for them. Re-read the beliefs – again slowly and reflectively. At the end of the second reading, keep another short period of silence and then ask the children to recall, without speaking aloud, the words that stood out for them and keep those words to themselves.

Show your ideas Make a collage in response to the words you chose, choosing colours and shapes to express what you felt about the words. What words are you thinking carefully about? Why might Muslims think these words are important? Why have you chosen certain colours and shapes? What meaning are you trying to show? Provide materials for the children to make collages and ask them to make an individual and creative response to the words they chose, choosing colours and shapes to express their felt response to the story. Sit alongside individual children and ask them about their collages: what words are they focussing on? Why have they chosen certain colours and shapes? What meaning are they trying to express? What questions were raised for them? [You might ask a TA, if available, to work with some children in this way, so that more individual children have the opportunity to speak about their designs.] Learning Outcome: say how Muslim beliefs are inspirational for believers.

Wider meaning Explain that Muslims worship Allah and remember that Allah is the creator of everything. For Muslims, all life depends on Allah. Life is precious and Muslims are required to treat the world and its creatures with care, because Allah created everything to be just as it is. Ask the children to reflect on things in the world that they and other people find precious. Learning Outcomes: talk about what is important to them and to other people with respect for feelings.

Remind the children that in this introduction to the idea of creation they have been thinking about Muslim beliefs. Many Christians, Jews and other share the belief that the world is special because it was created by God, but that Muslims have their own beliefs and practices that are different from other groups. For example, Muslims have their own special place for prayer – the mosque.

What makes our world special? A Special World What makes our world special? Help children go to the next step in their thinking about creation, by asking them to respond to the question, ‘What makes our world special?’ Encourage them to give a good reason for their views. Learning Outcome: provide good reasons for the views they have and the connections they make.