Islam Religion

Main Cultures of Islam Culture Language Locations Arab Arabic Arabian peninsula Persian Farsi Iran Turkish Turkey, central Asia Indian Hindi Pakistan, Bangladesh Indonesian Indonesia, Malaysia African North and West African countries

Muslim Rulers, Religious Officials, etc. Caliph – religious and political leader Sultan – Muslim political ruler Sheik – Arab ruler or Bedouin tribal chief Shah – Persian ruler Mufti – Muslim legal scholar Imam – prayer leader in a mosque Muzzein – calls Muslims to prayer Raja – Mughal ruler Moors – Spanish Muslims

Sects of Islam Sunni Muslims 85% of Muslims are Sunni Majority in Indonesia, Pakistan, Africa, Saudi Arabia and Syria They endorse the first four caliphs who ruled after Muhammad, and believe caliphs are to be chosen by consensus of the Muslim community. Shi’ite Muslims 15% of Muslims are Shi’ite Majority in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen They believe only direct descendents of Muhammad are legitimate caliphs.

Sects of Islam Sufis Mystical branch of Islam Whirling dervishes Black Muslims Nation of Islam – separatist Malcolm X

Muslims’ Complaints against the West Crusades Imperialism after World War I Women’s freedoms – “debauchery”

Islamic Problems Lack of democracy Little progress of Arab countries in technology Little income from anything except the oil industry Qur’an forbids charging interest on loans Some Muslims opposed to modernizing Sunni vs. Shi’ite sects

Problematic Elements of Islam, to the West Qur’an describes duty to wage war to impose Islamic law on the world However, Islam has been the most tolerant toward other religions through most of history Apostasy punishable by death Anti-Semitism Treatment of women Muslim schools that teach nothing except the Qur’an

Problematic Elements of Islam Muslim schools that teach hatred against Jews, Americans and the West Radical Muslims who seek to destroy the United States Suicide bombers who ignore Qur’an’s prohibition against suicide Lack of democracy in any Muslim country except Turkey