On Islam and Muslims ESOL Cadre Training

Muslims as a World Population Islam is the second largest religion in the world, with over 1.6 billion followers. A Muslim is a follower or a believer in Islam. Muslims reside in 184 countries and represent many different ethnic groups and linguistic backgrounds Most of the world’s Muslims live outside the Middle East; over half live in South and Southeast Asia. Though Islam is often associated with Arab ethnicity, Muslims actually span a wide variety of ethnicities. In the United States, there are significant proportions of Muslims who self-identify as white, African-American, Asian, and Hispanic.

Muslims in the United States Muslims have been a part of the population of the western hemisphere since before the United States was founded. Muslim Americans today belong to over 75 different ethnicities and nationalities and representing different interpretations of Islam. Like any other world religion, Islam is practiced and interpreted in many different ways. Recognition of the religious, ethnic, and cultural plurality of Islamic communities is crucial to understanding the many different ways of being Muslim in America today. One should be careful not to presuppose that the narrow and exclusionary visions of Islam espoused by some Islamic groups and organizations are representative of the whole.

Muslims as Refugees The number of refugees admitted to the U.S. has fallen, especially among Muslims. Number of Muslim refugees entering the U.S. has shrunk the most so far in 2018. Muslim ban

Muslims from Varied Cultures: Commonality & Diversity Islam is considered by Muslims to be one religion, all Muslims profess the same Shahada (declaration of faith). The two major branches of Islam are Sunni (85%) and Shi’a (15%, primarily found in Iran and Iraq). While Muslims throughout the world share the same essential beliefs and values, cultural overlays cause differences in the ways individuals and groups observe their faith. While Muslims throughout the world share the same essential beliefs and values, cultural overlays cause differences in the ways individuals and groups observe their faith.

Islamic Worldview Islam is a monotheistic religion. God is known as “Allah” in Arabic The Quran is the holy book of Islam. Different schools of thought Islam is a total way of life, guided by the Quran and then by the Sunna, or teachings of Prophet Muhammad (last prophet) Sharia, which means “way” or “path” in Arabic A set of interpretations of the Quran Guides everyday life No singular set of “Sharia laws” Determined by religious scholars, Muslim community, society, country, etc. Sharia, which means “way” or “path” in Arabic, is a set of interpretations of the Qu’ran and the teachings of Muhammad that guides everyday life and society for Muslims and influences the legal code in many Muslim-majority countries. Sharia is commonly interpreted as “Islamic law,” though actual laws comprise a very small portion of the larger body of teachings and practices contained within Sharia. Sharia is determined by religious scholars and by the consensus of Muslim communities. There is no singular set of Sharia laws, as there is no universal interpretation of the Qu’ran and the Hadith.

5 Pillars of Islam… Shahada, or testimony of faith Salat, or prayer Zakat, or giving a certain amount of one’s wealth to charity Ramadan, or the holy month Hajj, or pilgrimage *Practices of individuals can very greatly depending on culture or individual believes

Practices and Holidays Friday is the holy day of the week for Muslims Observance of Ramadan, 9th month of the Islamic calendar Eid ul-Fitr is the festival of breaking the fast of Ramadan Eid ul-Adha is celebrated at the end of Hajj

Practices and Accommodations Family bond Obligation towards extended family Food and drink Pork, alcohol, and halal (Islamic custom, like kosher) School menus Dress and grooming Modesty for both men and women Kufi (a small cap), beard, hijab (head covering) School uniform, sports Praying 5 times a day Fasting through the month of Ramadan during school or work Lunchtime pass, P.E. class Social impact strongest on women

Resources Local: Islamic Society of Wichita Muslim Student Association at Wichita State Online: Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) Backgrounder Cultural Orientation Resource (COR) Center Muslim Refugees Service Provider Guide

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