1. Understanding Islam
An Introduction

2. Introduction

3. Statistics World’s largest Muslim communities
Indonesia - 227,226,404 = 87%
Pakistan - 204,194,370 = 96%
India - 189,000,000 = 14%
Bangladesh - 148,607,000 = 90%
Nigeria - 95,316,131 = 48%
864,343,905 = 48% of all Muslims
1,8 Billion = 24% of World Population
Australia?

4. Statistics World’s largest Muslim communities
Indonesia - 227,226,404 = 87%
Pakistan - 204,194,370 = 96%
India - 189,000,000 = 14%
Bangladesh - 148,607,000 = 90%
Nigeria - 95,316,131 = 48%
864,343,905 = 48% of all Muslims
1,8 Billion = 24% of World Population
Australia? = 2.6%

5. History 610 – Muhammad’s Visions in Mecca
615 – Fled to Ethiopia (11 men 4 women)
622 – Hijrah – Medina (Start of the Islamic Calendar)
630 – Return to Mecca
633 – Muhammad dies of prolonged illness

6. Denominations
Sunni
Shi’ah
Sufi

8. Diversity in Islam Puritans Traditionalists “Folk” Islam Modernists
Secularists
Fundamentalists
Refugees

9. Core Beliefs Belief in Allah, Oneness of God Belief in the Angels
Belief in Holy Books
Belief in the Prophets
Belief in the Day of Judgment
Belief in God's predestination

10. Qu’ran About same length as New Testament
Reflect different chapters of Muhammad’s life
Law of Abrogation
Muhammad not considered author
Arabic and “unchanging”
Haddith give context
Interpretations are not unanimous
Qur’an affirms biblical teachings (subject to abrogation)

11. Core Practices Five Pillar
Confession of Faith-Shahada
Prayer
Charity
Fasting
Hajj
Jihad

12. Faith, Culture & Politics Islam, Muslims & ISIS
Spirituality & seeking to please God
Compassion, justice, prayer, and seeking peace
Personal piety, self-restraint, or self-control, avoid sin
Styles of dress, Separation, Folk traditions
Honour killings
Attitude toward women
charms and amulets for protection
Dogmatic Authoritarianism
Control of Resources
Power & Dominance

13. Christianity and Islam: Convergence & Divergence
Creation
Abraham
Morality

14. Conversations Share your testimony.
Find God at work in the lives of Muslims.
Pray for Muslim friends. (Requires making Muslim friends)
Talk about Jesus (Isa).
Isa is holy (Surah 3:42-48)
Isa has power over death (Surah 3:49-54)
Isa knows the way of heaven and is the way (Surah 3:55)
Share Bible stories early and often.
Minister to human need.
Trust the Holy Spirit.