WHAT DO THESE TWO HAVE IN COMMON?

HOW ON EARTH WILL I CONNECT THEM TO ISLAM?

ISLAMIC BELIEFS AND PRACTICES

What symbol is used to represent Christianity?

The cross. Raise your hand if you know why the cross is the symbol of Christianity.

Raise you hand if you know WHY the cross is the symbol of Christianity.

Christianity began with Jesus, or Christ. Jesus died on the cross. The symbol of the cross is to remind Christians of that.

The symbol associated with Islam is the crescent moon and star.

Not everyone is in agreement about the symbol for Islam. The symbol itself was around for several thousand years before it became a Muslim symbol. It had been the flag of Constantinople BEFORE the Ottoman Turks invaded. Some believe it represented Greeks gods or goddesses and others think the star represents the five pillars of Islam. Many Muslims today reject using the symbol because it lacks religious significance.

Sooo…Christianity began with Christ. Raise your hand if you know how the Islamic faith began.

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD Muhammad was concerned about the changing values in Mecca.Muhammad was concerned about the changing values in Mecca. He would go to a cave outside the city to pray and meditate.He would go to a cave outside the city to pray and meditate.

ARE PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT CHANGING VALUES TODAY? What are some of the concerns of today’s world?What are some of the concerns of today’s world?

MUHAMMAD’S CONCERNS Mecca became a rich city because of the caravan trade.Mecca became a rich city because of the caravan trade. Poor people had hard lives.Poor people had hard lives. Many rich merchants began to ignore the poor and keep their wealth for themselves.Many rich merchants began to ignore the poor and keep their wealth for themselves.

The Angel Gabriel An angel appeared and spoke to Muhammad, telling him to “Recite! Recite!”An angel appeared and spoke to Muhammad, telling him to “Recite! Recite!”

PROPHET MUHAMMAD Muslims believe that God had spoken to Muhammad through the angel and had made him a prophet (a person who tells of God’s messages).Muslims believe that God had spoken to Muhammad through the angel and had made him a prophet (a person who tells of God’s messages).

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? What happens when a person says they have seen something that no one else has seen? (It could be an angel, God, aliens…)What happens when a person says they have seen something that no one else has seen? (It could be an angel, God, aliens…) Would tell anyone if you believed God spoke to you through an angel?Would tell anyone if you believed God spoke to you through an angel?

ISLAM Islam means “to submit to God”.Islam means “to submit to God”. A follower of Islam is called a Muslim.A follower of Islam is called a Muslim.

THE QUR’AN Muslims believe that Muhammad continued receiving messages from god for the rest of his life. These messages were collected in the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam.Muslims believe that Muhammad continued receiving messages from god for the rest of his life. These messages were collected in the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam.

A BELIEF IN ONE GOD MONOTHEISM

PROPHETS Jews, Christians, and Muslims recognize many of the same prophets.Jews, Christians, and Muslims recognize many of the same prophets. ABRAHAMMOSESJESUS

JESUS Unlike Christians, Muslims do not believe that Jesus was the son of God.Unlike Christians, Muslims do not believe that Jesus was the son of God. They do believe many stories about his life.They do believe many stories about his life.

PEOPLE OF THE BOOK Muhammad respected Jews and Christians as “People of the Book” because they taught many of the same ideas that Muhammad taught.Muhammad respected Jews and Christians as “People of the Book” because they taught many of the same ideas that Muhammad taught.

REMEMBER THESE TWO?

The Five Pillars of Islam The acts of worship required by all Muslims.

Statement of Faith There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.