Muslim Students In An American Classroom

1. Muslim StudentsIn An American Classroom

2. Why should you know about Islam? There are over seven million Muslims living in the United States and there is a very good possibility that you will have one in your classroom. This presentation is about the Basics of Islam you should know about as an educator.

3. What is Islam? • The Arabic word Islam means peace and submission to Allah (God). • A follower of Islam is called a Muslim. • A Muslim strives to live in peace and harmony with the Creator, oneself, other people and the environment. • Religion is not separate; it is a complete way of life.

4. Muslim Population • Islam is the world's second largest religion after Christianity. According to a demographic study conducted by the Pew Research Center in October 2009 found that there are 1.57 billion Muslims around the world, accounting for roughly 1 in 4 people. • Approximately 50 countries are Muslim-majority. • A Muslim does not mean an Arab! An Arab does not mean a Muslim! Arabs account only 18% of the Muslim population! • Largest Muslim Country in terms of populations is Indonesia!

5. Muslims – World Wide

6. Core Beliefs of Islam To be a Muslim one must: 1- Believe in Almighty God (Allah). 2- Believe in His angels. 3- Believe in His scriptures (Books). 4- Believe in His Prophets (messengers). 5- Believe in the day of resurrection. 6- Believe in the divine destiny.

7. ALLAH, GOD OF ISLAM • Muslims believe in absolute monotheism. • Is Unique • Has No Partners • Alone is Creator • Does Not Father Nor is Born, • There is Nothing Like Unto Him. • Neither Male nor Female

8. The Qur’an: Islam’s Holy Book • The principal source of every Muslim's faith and practice. • Muslims believe other Holy Books were also revealed by God. Al-Zapoor (Psalms), Al-Tawrah (Torah), Al-Injeel (Gospel) and Qur’an is the last revelation • Qur’an’s basic themes are the relationship between God and His creatures and between people one another. It also deals with all subjects that concern human beings, including wisdom, doctrine, worship and law. • The Qur’an is the only book that has been maintained in its original language, Arabic. The text has been Preserved 100% In the Original Language for over 1,400 years! Two copies of the text of the original Qur’an authenticated by the Prophet are present to this day, one at the museum in Tashkent in Erstwhile and the other at the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul, Turkey.

9. These are images of the original Noble Quran's entire compilation and entire original Manuscripts!

10. It’s the literal word of God. It was revealed to prophet Muhammad via angel Gibreel (Gabriel) over 23 yearsIt’s 114 Chapters, vary in length. (604 pages, 6,236 verses) • It’s in Arabic. There are translations in all different languages. Translation is NOT a Quran! • The Quran and the Sunnah (Tradition) of the prophet are the sources of Sharia (Islamic Law).

11. PROPHETS • Muslims believe in all the previous Prophets:Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Jacob, Joseph, David, Salamon, Moses, Jesus, … - 25 Names mentioned in the Quran! - Muslims do not distinguish between the prophets , they are all respected Messengers of Allah. • Greatest Five (Ulu Al-Azm): • Noah, • Abraham, • Moses, • Jesus • Muhammad • Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet. Muslims do not believe Jesus was a Son of God; Allah has no offspring. Islam accepts Jesus’ virgin birth. Jesus not crucified; Allah raised Him up directly to Paradise.

12. PROPHET MUHAMMAD • ~570, Muhammad born in Mecca. • At age 40 in Mecca, He received first revelation via angel Gabriel. • During next 13 years in Mecca, He converted 150 people to Islam.

13. Jesus and Mary in Islam Muslims believe, respect and revere Jesus (peace be upon him), and await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God’s Messengers to mankind. The Quran confirms his virgin birth (A Chapter of the Quran is entitled “Mary”), and Mary is considered one of the most pious and virtuous women in all creation. Mary is a key female character in the Quran.

14. Mary is the only female mentioned in the Qur'an by name • Mary’s name in Islam is “Maryam” and the name Maryam is mentioned 34 times in the Qur'an • Surah 19, Surat-ul Maryam is named after her.

15. Muslims believe that: • People are born without any inherited sin. • No need for Allah to atone for sins of mankind. • Human beings have free will. • No compulsion in religion. • No supremacy: All people are equal. • No Holy Spirit associated w/Godhead. • Allah did not have any children. • No trinity. • Absolute monotheism.

16. Does Islam approve terrorism? • Absolutely NOT. Islam does not approve of terrorism in any form. Islam does not in any way approve of the killing of innocent people, whether they are Christians, Jews or of any faith or philosophy. • 99.99% of Muslims DO NOT support radicals, extremism, and terrorism. Muslims love this country and their guaranteed constitutional rights every bit as much as anyone does.

17. What defines an Islamic act? • Conform to the Qur’an • Conform to authentic Hadith • Conform to the objectives of Islamic law Radicalism, Extremism, Terrorism has no base in any of these sources. Terrorism cannot be used to achieve any Islamic goal. No terrorist can be a Muslim, and no real Muslim can be a terrorist. Islam demands peace, and the Qur'an demands that every real Muslim be a symbol of peace and work to support the maintenance of basic human rights. The Qur'an declares that one who takes a life unjustly has, in effect, taken all the lives of humanity, and that one who saves a life has, in effect, saved all the lives of humanity.

18. 5 Pillars Of Islam 1. Declaration of faith (Shahadah) 2. Daily Prayer (Salat) 3. Charity (Zakat) 4. Fasting (Saum) 5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)

19. 1. Testimony The inseparable testimony (Key to enter Islam) • Declaration of Faith: “I declare there is no god except Allah, and I declare that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” Whoever says this with sincerity is to be considered as a Muslim

20. 2. Performing Prayers • Muslims pray towards Mecca, Saudi Arabia. • Five times a day:1-Fajr(dawn), 2-Dhuhr(noon), 3-Asr(mid-afternoon), 4-Maghrib(sunset), and 5-Isha (nightfall). • Congregational prayer is on Fridays in a mosque. Men and women are separated for prayer.

21. Prayer Times Mid-Afternoon Morning Noon Evening Night Sunrise Noon Sunset Midnight

22. Since Muslims are required to pray five times a day, it’s likely that at least one of these times will fall during the school hours. Please check with your school administrator and find a quiet place that the student can pray at the proper times. The times of prayer fluctuate throughout the year depending on the length of day light hours.

23. A real example:

24. The Mosque • Muslims are encouraged to pray their daily prayers in congregation at the mosque. • A typical mosque consists of a prayer hall, offices, washrooms, multi-purpose hall. • The mosque is run by a board or a committee. • The Imam (religious leader) leads the prayers and delivers sermons. • Persons entering the mosque are supposed to have cleansed themselves. • Non-Muslims Are Welcome In Mosques

25. UluCami Mosque in Paterson, NJ

27. US President Obama visits the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan. Obama inside Istanbul's Sultanahmet Mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque

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33. 3. Financial obligation(Zakah) • 2.5% of any cash savings held for one year. • The right of the poor on the rich. • Zakah = Growth & Purification.

34. 4. Fasting Ramadan • No eating, drinking, or sexual activities from dawn till sunset • It is a ritual of worship which enhances patience and perseverance through discipline. • Your student may elect to fast this month. If your student is fasting, please be supportive; you will not only gain the respect of your student, but his or her family as well. Rest assured, your student is eating before sunrise and after sunset. Fasting for children is not required but many like to participate. Perhaps you can send the student to a resource room during lunch rather than making him hang out in the cafeteria.

35. 5. Pilgrimage • For those who are able • Once in lifetime. • Universality of the religion

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39. Holidays, Celebration • Eidul Fitr: Celebrates the end of Ramadan, lasts three days. • Eidul Adha: Celebrates end of pilgrimage, lasts four days • There are two major holidays that Muslim's celebrate each year. These holidays are based on a lunar calendar and are at a slightly different date each year. • The holidays are Eid Al Fitr, which is celebrated after the month of fasting, Ramadan. Eid Al Adha is the celebration in memory of the sacrifice Abraham was going to make of his son Ish'mail to God. • Expect your student to be absent for a minimum of one day. • Muslims will also expect their child to be excused from any non-Muslim holiday celebrations. If you are having your class make holiday gifts, perhaps you could rename the gift your Muslim child is making. He or she could be making an Eid gift, for example, or perhaps just a present to show he or she loves his or her family. • Both are major celebrations with congregational prayer, dinner, presents, visiting friends and family and community festivals. • Friday Prayer: Every Friday, congregational prayer at the mosque, sermon by Imam

42. Female Clothing Muslim females who observe Islamic dress codes when they reach puberty must cover their hair and entire body except their faces, hands, and feet. The degree of covering, however, depends on their culture and their families' interpretation of the religion. Islamic dress codes always conflict with what is normally worn by American girls for physical education classes. Muslim girls who follow these codes cannot wear shorts and short-sleeved T-shirts.

43. Halal/Haram Food Islam has dietary restrictions. Muslims cannot eat Haram food Halal: means lawful or permitted Haram: means unlawful or prohibited. • Pork and any by-products of it • Animals not properly slaughtered or dead before slaughter • Animals killed in the name of anyone but ALLAH (God) • Intoxicants; such as Alcohol • Blood and blood by-products • Foods that contain any of the products above

44. Different Dietary Needs • Dietary laws are clearly spelled out for Muslims. They are not allowed to have any pork, pork products, or alcohol. If you have a pizza party for your classroom, be considerate and make sure there is a cheese pizza available. Marshmallows contain gelatin and are also not allowed. Gelatin is often produced by boiling pork bones. Checking treats before you buy them can go a long way in promoting good will in the classroom and making your Muslim student feel included.

45. Customs & Community • Islam does not permit the unnecessary mixing of males and females, except among close family members. While this is generally not a problem in the primary grades, it becomes one later. Therefore, the child is not allowed to socialize with another child of the opposite sex. However in a classroom setting it is understandable, but during recess and free time socializing with the opposite sex is considered wrong. Please, take this into consideration when making cooperative group assignments. • Parents may ask that their child be excluded from P.E. class for this reason and for modesty's sake. Muslims are not permitted to "dress down" or take community showers. Modesty is of the highest priority. • Dancing with persons of the opposite sex if definitely not allowed.

46. Accommodations Educators Can Make • Public schools have been urged to make accommodations for Muslim students so that they can practice their faith. • The biggest problem for schools has come in the PE classes. • Schools have been respectful with allowing students to wear the modest clothing that their religion requires and they also may refrain from social activities if they choose. • Providing school lunches is an issue that needs special attention as well.  Schools need to make sure that they know and understand the dietary requirements of a Muslim child.  • Prayer rooms have become an important topic as well. Many feel that prayer rooms push the line when it comes to religion in schools.

47. Talking to the parents is a good way to get an idea of those activities in which they will allow their child to participate. Asking ahead of time can prevent misunderstandings and promote an atmosphere of caring concern. Muslims are by and large very happy when someone shows an interest in their belief system.