 RE teachers know that the Islamic rules for representing Allah are to be taken seriously.  No image of Allah could ever capture the reality of God ~ so make no images.  This activity and work enables the use of some brilliant Islamic art in exploring the concept of God in Islam  It’s ideal and adaptable for thoughtful work for 12-15s. Check out Spirited Arts Copyright

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1. There are about 62 million people in the UK today. How many are Muslims, according to the most recent census? a) 0.7 million / 1.2% b) 1.6 million / 2.8% c) 3.7 million / 6% d) 6.2 million /10%

2. The first mosque in Britain: when was it built? a) 1889 b) 1951 c) 1971 d) 1974

3. Most of the Muslims in Britain: where were they born? a) Pakistan b) Africa c) The middle east d) Britain

4. Mosques in the United Kingdom: how many are there? a) 86 b) 632 c) 1524 d) 1740

5. How many British cities have more than half of their population who are Muslim? (Bonus mark if you can say three of the cities that have the highest proportion of Muslim citizens) a) Four b) Two c) One d) None

6. Across the world, Islam has been growing in recent decades. So has world population, which is now well over 6 billions. In the 40 years from 1965 to 2005, the growth in the world’s number of Muslim people was: (The US Government’s statistical sources) a) From 400m to 1 260m b) From 610m to 840m c) From 850m to 965m d) From 400m to 1 440m

7. There are 650 MPs in the house of commons. How many of them are Muslims? a) 4 b) 8 c) 12 d) 22

8. Which European city has the biggest proportion of Muslims living in it? (Note that each of the answers A-D might be true or false) com a) Marseilles, France (25%) b) London, England (17%) c) Brussels, Belgium (19%) d) Moscow, Russia (18%)

9. Islamic Relief is one of the largest Muslim charities in the UK, being 25 years old this year. In 2007, how much did it raise and spend on aid and development? g a) £ b) £12 million c) £40 million d) £42 million

10. Some Muslim children go to Islamic schools. How many Muslim secondary schools are there in the UK? a) 3 b) 12 c) 40 d) 132

 As you get the answers to the quiz, count up your score – but also notice how getting your facts right can change your perception of Islam. What are you learning?

1. There are about 62 million people in the UK today. How many are Muslims, according to the most recent census? a) 0.7 million / 1.2% b) 1.6 million / 2.8% c) 3.7 million / 6% d) 6.2 million /10% Correct answer: B – 1.6m, according to the 2001 census. This has increased this decade by another half a million at least.

2. The first mosque in Britain: when was it built? a) 1889 b) 1951 c) 1971 d) 1974 Correct answer: A – The mosque is in Worthing.

3. Most of the Muslims in Britain: where were they born? a) Pakistan b) Africa c) The middle east d) Britain Correct answer: D – in Britain. Some people are surprised by this. Notice that ‘British Muslim’ is an increasingly common identity.

4. Mosques in the United Kingdom: how many are there? a) 86 b) 632 c) 1524 d) 1740 Correct answer: D – 1740, at the last count.

5. How many British cities have more than half of their population who are Muslim? (Bonus mark if you can say three of the cities that have the highest proportion of Muslim citizens) a) Four b) Two c) One d) None Correct answer: D - none. In Britain, London has 17% Muslim people, Luton 14.6% and Birmingham 14.3%.

6. Across the world, Islam has been growing in recent decades. So has world population, which is now well over 6 billions. In the 40 years from 1965 to 2005, the growth in the world’s number of Muslim people was: (The US Government’s statistical sources) a) From 400m to 1 260m b) From 610m to 840m c) From 850m to 965m d) From 400m to 1 440m Correct answer: A – the world Muslim population trebled in four decades. What reasons can you suggest for the fact that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world?

7. There are 650 MPs in the house of commons. How many of them are Muslims? a) 4 b) 8 c) 12 d) 22 Correct answer: B, : 4 Current, 2010-?? House of Commons: 8 Given the population, a ‘fair’ proportion would be 16/650.

8. Which European city has the biggest proportion of Muslims living in it? (Note that each of the answers A-D might be true or false) a) Marseilles, France (25%) b) London, England (17%) c) Brussels, Belgium (19%) d) Moscow, Russia (18%) Correct answer: A – Marseille. In fact, all four of the figures are correct. These are the four most Islamic cities in Europe.

9. Islamic Relief is one of the largest Muslim charities in the UK, being 25 years old this year. In 2007, how much did it raise and spend on aid and development? a) £ b) £12 million c) £40 million d) £42 million Correct answer: C - £40m. This was a fall from its best ever year, when £42m was given in 2006.

10. Some Muslim children go to Islamic schools. How many Muslim secondary schools are there in the UK? a) 3 b) 12 c) 40 d) 132 Correct answer:  C – 40 Muslim secondary schools are linked to the Association of Muslim Schools  There are over 5000 secondary schools in the UK.

 Make a list of the questions you got wrong. Have you been guessing too high or too low?  What have you learned by ‘getting your facts right’?  Why does it matter to have an accurate idea about Muslims in Britain today? Give 5 reasons.

“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. You do we worship, and Your aid we seek, Show us the straight way, The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.” Check out Spirited Arts Copyright

(We reproduce by kind permission) Ahmed Moustapha’s excellent image ‘The attributes of Divine Perfection’. This image is used in this work to support and develop pupils’ understanding of Muslim concepts of God. It incorporates 99 geometric shapes, each written with one of the beautiful names of Allah, thus expressing an Islamic understanding of the divine without making an image. Check out Spirited Arts Copyright

The Kaaba at Makkah: empty of any image since the time of the Prophet, but still full, as is the whole universe, of the presence of Allah. The centre of Islamic faith on earth: a billion face it in prayer.

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 Yasmin Kathrada:  “I have worked with the concept that “we are created in the Image of God” and that the 99 names or attributes of God are reflected within us. So when the viewer looks at the “99 names” s/he sees the Self reflected in the mirror, and is reminded of the 99 attributes within one’s own self.”  Check out Spirited Arts Copyright

 Is it Ahmed, or Yasmin who has best expressed the Muslim understanding of God / Allah? Check out Spirited Arts Copyright

 Work in a group of four. Don’t forget the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah ~ they are a source for understanding Islamic theology  Each person: Take an example of the Islamic beliefs about God you have studied, and create a visual representation of the belief, using Islamic rules (calligraphy, but no representation of persons)  Compare the four examples in your group, and write a short joint commentary on these: how do they show what Muslims believe about God?  What might a Muslim leader say about your work?  The simple model here is “explore the creativity of others – engage creatively myself”  See three examples below Check out Spirited Arts Copyright

 “He in his essence is one, without any partner.  Single without any similar  Eternal without any opposite.  Separate without any like  He is one, prior with nothing before him  From eternity without any beginning  Abiding in existence without any after him  To eternity without an end  Subsisting without ending  Abiding without termination  Measure does not bind him  Boundaries do not contain him.” Check out Spirited Arts Copyright

What Muslim beliefs did you observe in the quotes? What might be the impact of these beliefs? How might they make a difference to life? How do these beliefs reflect the teaching of Surah 1? Is one Is powerful Beyond describing Voice that guides us Has no partners If you believe god is one, then you would… If you believe all is powerful then you might… Check out Spirited Arts Copyright

“I believe in one God, ALLAH. I don't know what my God looks like because in the Muslim religion we are not allowed to see any pictures of 'him'. As a Muslim I think Allah is the most powerful 'thing' as I don't know what 'he' is like. I respect my God very much.” Girl, 14 “I think God is... well... God, I guess. God is God, our creator, and He is very powerful. That all I can say. He is not something you can measure.” Girl, 15 “I am a Muslim so my beliefs about God are fairly orthodox. I believe God is an entity which is beyond the scope of human perception (which is pretty limited to say the least...), God is within all of us, He is the voice which guides us down the path of goodness, The Hand of God is on all of us - it's our choice whether to take it or not.” Boy, 15 “I feel that Allah (God) is with me and looking at me wherever I am. I think Allah is the real God. No one can see him but he can see us. He is one, he has no partner and he wasn’t born. When you pray you feel closer to God You are thanking him for what you have got. I think religion completes your life. Without it you can get lost and confused.” Boy, 11 Check out Spirited Arts Copyright

 Deepening understanding of Islam  Enabling learning from Muslim ideas  Correcting stereotypes and engaging with ‘real Islam as it is’  Promoting creative and thoughtful learning, not knee-jerking prejudice  Linking to other traditions of monotheistic belief Check out Spirited Arts Copyright