Islam

1. Islam

2. Middle East: The Birth of Three Religions • Judaism (3500 yrs ago), Christianity (2000 yrs ago), and Islam (1300 years ago) all developed in the Middle East. • Islam is the dominant religion of North Africa and the Middle East- 96% of the population of over 350 million people. • World wide, there are over 1 billion followers of Islam, second only to Christianity. • Arabs only comprise 20% of Muslim population

3. Judeo-Christian Foundations • Muslims are strict monotheists, believe in the Judeo Christian God, which in Arabic translates to Allah • Of the Same Spiritual Tree: Descendants of Abraham, Abraham, Moses, Noah, Adam, and Jesus are prophets in Islam.

4. Birth of Islam • Islam means “submission to God’s will,” a Muslim is a member of the community of believers who submit to God’s will • According to Islam, Muhammad, a merchant trader from Mecca, was God’s last prophet and is recognized as God’s messenger. • In 610 CE, the angle Gabriel revealed God’s word to Muhammad… which he in turn translated into the Qur’an (the essential holy text in Islam) • In 622, Muhammad was forced to flee Mecca for Medina as he became a threat to polytheistic traditions, this event is known as the Hijrah, This is the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

5. 5 Pillars • Set of religious duties • 1, Profession of Faith • 2. Praying: facing Mecca, 5 times per day • 3. Giving Alms: charity for the less fortunate • 4. Fasting during the month of Ramadan • 5. Hajj to Mecca; pilgrimage to Mecca

6. Spread of Islam • Mecca; geographical origin of Islam, Muhammad was born there in 570 CE. • He was later exiled to Medina, later returns and reclaims Mecca, establishing Islam as the official religion. • Islam developed as a political and religious force, no separation in civic life. Theocratic rule • Arabia’s location at the crossroad of three continents= trade and diffusion. Muslims established extensive trade networks. • Also, the hajj to Mecca • Arab converts expand Muslim empire into three continents, spreading the Arabic language and Islamic teachings and culture. • Many peoples around the empire absorbed Islam peacefully

9. Sunni-Shia Split • Muhammad died in 632, leaving questions on succession… • Sunni’s believed that the successor did not have to be a relative of Muhammad • Shias believe that that the leader should be a direct descendant of Muhammad • This is a majior source of division and conflict to this day • Sunni represent a majority of Muslims- 85% (Saudi Arabia) • Shias represent 10-15 % of Muslim population (Iran, Iran)

10. Misconceptions • Spread by the Sword: many people absorbed the Muslim faith peacefully, in fact the Qur’an teaches “religion must not be an act of compulsion • Jihad: spiritual struggle, striving in the way of god • Terrorist: in most instances this derives from unfair stereotypes and public image. Many leaders invoke Islam as a way to garner support and followers, even though their teachings go against the foundations of Islam. • For example; don’t fiight unless in self defense , “if they seek peace, you seek peace.” • Islam is a faith of compassion and peace, not terrorism and violence , though some have corrupted its image.

12. Islamists • Anti-Western, anti-Imperial, anti-modernization, militant Jihad • Main argument against America: Support of Israel, Military prescience in Saudi Arabia, and Moral decadence

13. Post 9/11: Muslims in America • After the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9-11-01, hate crimes against Muslims increased 1, 600% • “Our country is strong. Terrorists acts can shake the foundation of our biggest buildings, but they can’t touch the foundation of America.”- Pre. George W. Bush • ACLU: profiling based on religion and race has become common place nation wide. • Media and government leaders encourage and cont. to encourage fear of terrorism, and lump extremists into a monolithic whole. 40% of media coverage is negative, 43% OF Americans admit feelings of prejudice • 2006; 45%- Islam is at odds with American values.