Islam 101- An Introduction to Islam/Beyond the Middle East This session will discuss the basic tenets of Islam the religion and its origin. We will also introduce who the diverse cultural groups are from around the world that practice Islam.

Some Basic Facts: “Islam” is an Arabic word. It means peace or submission – peace with God, or submission. “Salaam alaykum” The same Arabic root word meaning “peace be with you” is the universal Muslim greeting. “Muslim” is also Arabic in origin; meaning one who believes in and consciously follows Islam.

ALLAH Islam begins with God (Allah). The word “Allah” is formed by joining the definite Arabic article “al” which means “the” with the Arabic “llah”, which means God. “La ilaha illa Allah” means “There is no god but Allah (God)”

Muhammad, The Messenger of God Born in Mecca Christian calendar year 570 A.D. Name means “highly praised” Considered the final prophet The Night of Power 610 A.D. when Allah spoke to Muhammad In a cave on Mount Hira ( on the outskirts of Mecca)

Hijra – The Flight to Medina 622 A.D. (Christian Calendar) Muhammad fled Mecca to Yathrib A new era and beginning of the Muslim Calendar Medinat al-nabi “The City of the Prophet” Medina= “The City” 10 A.H. (after the Hijra)

THE QUR’AN “al-quran” in Arabic means a recitation The word of God revealed to Muhammad over a time frame of 23 years through the voice of the angel Gabriel 114 surahs (or chapters) Slightly shorter in length than the Christian New Testament

How Many Are Muslims? 1 billion followers (1/5 of the world population) Less than 10 percent of Muslims are Arab Majority Muslims are found throughout the Middle East, North Africa, East Asia and the Pacific Islands ex. Indonesia, Malaysia, southern Philippines Large numbers include Western Europe, the former Soviet Union, and North America.

The Five Pillars of Faith 1. Shahada (affirmation) 2. Salat (prayer) 3. Zakat (almsgiving) 4. Siyam (fasting) 5. Hajj (pilgrimage)

The Fast of Ramadhan The ninth month of the Muslim Calendar When Muslims fast during the entire month to concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of everyday life A time of worship and contemplation

Ramadhan restrictions/expectations No eating or drinking during the daylight hours (from dawn to sunset) Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden The good from fasting is nullified by  The telling of a lie  Slander  Denouncing someone behind his back  A false oath  Greed or covetousness

Recommended books: What Every Christian Should Know About Islam by Ruqaiyya Waris More In Common Than You Think – The Bridge Between Islam and Christianity by Bill Baker The Autobiography of Malcolm X- as told to Alex Haley Muslim on the Americanization Path by Yvonne Haddad and John Esposito For God and Country: Faith and Patriotism Under Fire by Chaplain James Yee

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