2. Chapter 9 The Teachings of Islam 9.2 Background on Islam

3. Islam Around the World Islam is the world's second largest religion after Christianity

4. Islam is the fastest growing religion Among every four humans in the world, one of them is Muslim. Muslims have increased by over 235 percent in the last fifty years up to nearly 1.6 billion. By comparison, Christians have increased by only 47 percent, Hinduism, 117 percent, and Buddhism by 63 percent. Islam is the second largest religious group in France, Great Britain and USA (Muslims in USA are 10 millions and Jews are 6 millions).10 millions Muslims in Asia (1996)1,022,692,000 (30%) Muslims in Africa (1996)426,282,000 (59%) Total Number of Muslims on the Earth (1996) 1,482,596,925 Total Number of People on the Earth (1996) 5,771,939,007 Percentage of Muslims (1996)26% Islam annual growth rate (1994- 1995) from U.N. 6.40% Christianity growth rate (1994- 1995) from U.N. 1.46% Total Number of Muslims on the Earth (1998) 1,678,442,000 Expected Number of Muslims on the Earth (2000) 1,902,095,000

5. Islam in the United States Islam is one of the fastest- growing religions in the US. By the year 2010, America's Muslim population is expected to surpass the Jewish population, making Islam the country's second- largest faith after Christianity There are currently about 6 million American Muslims. There are about 2,000 mosques in the US Most American Muslims, 77.6%, are immigrants – 22.4% of American Muslims were born in the US. (Source: US State Department)

6. Islam in Saudi Arabia Population: Sunni Muslim 95%, Shia Muslim 5% Islam and the state: Saudi Arabia has central role in the Islamic world because it is home to Mecca and Madinah, Islam's two holiest sites. Wahhabism, a conservative interpretation of Sunni Islam, has been a cornerstone of the royal family's legitimacy. Saudi Arabia practices a highly conservative interpretation of Sharia law.

7. Similarities Between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity Monotheistic: belief in one God Origins (beginnings) linked to the prophet Abraham Sacred writings include such figures as Adam, Noah, and Moses *Muslims believe that all three religions worship the same God.

8. Assignment Read Section 9.2, pg. 94 Complete 9.2 Note Sheet