Islam

Islam “Submission to the will of God” Founded by Muhammad Revised Judaism and Christianity Considers Jesus and Moses as Prophets Predominant in Middle East (N. Africa and Central Asia) ½ Muslims live outside this region: Pakistan, India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh Faith dictates behaviors of adherents (no alcohol, gambling, or smoking)

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God (All the same in Old Test.) Religion Book of Origin (Same for all 3) New Ideas Yahweh Judaism Old Testament Christianity + New Testament (Jesus) = Bible Allah Islam + Ideas from New Testament and Mohammad= Quran

Origin of Islam Traces origin to same narrative as Christianity and Judaism Adam was first man and Abraham one of his decedents Hagar and Ishmael banished; wandered and reached Makkah (Saudi Arabia) Muhammad (prophet/founder) was descendent of Ishmael Quran = Angel Gabriel’s words to Muhammad Commanded by God to emigrate from Makkah to Yathrib, now Madinah (called the Hajira)

Origin of Islam/Christianity Abraham (Descendant of Adam) Sarah/ Isaac Christianity Judaism Hagar/ Ishmael Islam Shiite Sunni

Islam’s Branches Split occurred shortly after the death of Muhammad over the question of who was to lead the Muslims. Shi’a believed that Muhammad pre-selected Imam Ali, his closest male heir. Shi’a- (sectarian)- Minority, concentrated in Iran, over 50% in Iraq Sunnis believed that the leader should be chosen through election. Sunni- Majority worldwide “following example of Muhammad”

Core belief: 5 Pillars of Faith Claim that Allah is the one God and Muhammad is his prophet Pray 5 times a day facing Makkah (Mecca) Give to charity Fast during the holy month of Ramadan Make a pilgrimage to Makkah once in life (called the hajj)

Islam in NA and Europe Increasing Muslim populations France- large migration from N. African countries Germany- migration from Turkey Bosniak Muslims in Bosnia US- Nation of Islam (Black Muslims): wanted separate nation w/in US for Muslims

Diff. of Islam Same as Christianity: Relocation of Missionaries, military conquest and conversion of rulers Conquered N. Africa and Iberian Peninsula (Sp. And Port.) Arab traders bring Islam to Indonesia Fastest growing world religion

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Holy Sites Great Mosque in Mecca, SA Medinah, SA Al-Kaba: first house built to worship Allah Medinah, SA Mosque built on Muhammad's house Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, Israel Mosque built on rock where Muhammad ascended into heaven

al-Ka’ba in the center of “The Great Mosque” in Makkah, SA FIGURE 6-15

Tawaf- “walk around”

Stone fell from Heaven to show Adam and Eve Where to build an alter.

Mosque of the Prophet in Medinah, SA, where Muhammad is buried FIGURE 6-7

Landscapes of Islam Mosques with towering minarets dominate cityscapes Sharia Law- using laws of Quran to make laws Ringing bells 5 times a day calls people to prayer Prohibition against depicting the human form (icons are taboo)- used geometric forms instead of showing Muhammad Hajj (Pilgrimage) has increased the need of workers in Saudi Arabia (4x as many employees as the oil industry) Hotels, apartments surround the city Muslim sites in Indonesia were once non-Muslim Ziarats ( for non-hajj pilgrimages)

Minarets

Origin of Religions Universalizing: precise, tied to a specific founder Ethnic: unclear or unknown origins, not tied to a specific founder

Diffusion of Univ. Religions Have specific hearths; from same continent world: Asia Christianity (Israel/Palestine) and Islam (Saudi Arabia) from Eastern Mediterranean Buddhism from South Asia (India)

Current Lack of Diff. of Ethnic Religions Limited diffusion: no missionaries Relocation of adherents: Amish in US Mingle and compete with univ. religions for adherents Judaism is an exception