Homework I-3 due tomorrow Current Events article due Thursday Quiz on Islam Friday, February 12.

First Pillar: Declaration of Faith in Allah Why is this the first pillar? Why are children taught to memorize this at an early age?

Second Pillar: Prayer towards Mecca five times a day Women are often excluded from the mosques, or told to pray behind men or in separate groups. Does this mean that women are considered to be inferior in the Muslim religion?

Third Pillar: Almsgiving Should charity be considered a requirement for living a moral life? Why or why not? Many Muslims are required to pay a religious tax that raises money for charity. Can charity be required, or does it have to be a personal choice?

Fourth Pillar: Fasting during the month of Ramadan How is this similar to fasting rituals in other religions? What is the purpose of these kinds of rituals? Is fasting still a worthwhile ritual in the 21 st century? Is there anything people can still learn by doing it?

Fifth Pillar: Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca). Think of a trip that you have taken in your life or would like to take that you would consider to be a pilgrimage. This trip could be connected to your religion, or it could be to a location that you personally consider to be sacred (for example, the Lincoln Memorial, the Grand Canyon). Why did you choose this particular pilgrimage, and how would this experience by similar and different to the hajj?

Concluding Questions If you were Muslim, which of the Five Pillars do you think would bring you the greatest connection to your religion? Why? Which of these pillars do you think would be the greatest challenge to carry out? Why?