Islam

Islam today 1.6 billion Muslims 1.6 billion Muslims –Around 85% Sunni –2.1 billion Christians –900 million Hindus –375 million Buddhists –14 million Jews Fastest growing religion Fastest growing religion Multicultural Multicultural Largest Islamic population: Indonesia Largest Islamic population: Indonesia –Followed by Pakistan, Bangladesh, India –Less than 15% of Muslims are Arab

Origins Context: Arabia: polytheistic, tribal Context: Arabia: polytheistic, tribal Muhammad ( CE) Muhammad ( CE) –Qu’ran records revelations to Muhammad –610: vision of angel Gabriel –Other stories of his sayings and actions (Sunnah) recorded as Hadith –Night of Ascension –Unified Arabs and started missions out of Medina and Mecca ( ) Sees itself building on, correcting Judaism and Christianity Sees itself building on, correcting Judaism and Christianity

Five Pillars Belief and witness Belief and witness Daily prayer (5x) Daily prayer (5x) Tithe (Zakat) Tithe (Zakat) –Must give 2.5% of wealth to needy –Shi’a give 20% of disposable income (half to clergy, half to needy) Fasting Fasting Pilgrimage (Hajj) Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Jihad “Striving” “Striving” “Sixth pillar” “Sixth pillar” Types Types –Greater: spiritual struggle In self, for justice In self, for justice Many regard as the dominant type Many regard as the dominant type –Lesser: physical struggle

Islam in America About 2% of population (6 million) About 2% of population (6 million) –Fastest growing 4 waves of immigration (Eck 248) 4 waves of immigration (Eck 248) –Post-1965 largest –80% of mosques founded since 1976 Challenges/opportunities Challenges/opportunities –Separation of church and state v. sharia –Multicultural makeup of mosques –Youth and culture (Eck 280ff)