The Religion of Islam

10/14/07Beth Berry Symbol of Islam The crescent moon is a common symbol of Islam. Muslims believe that when Muhammad received his first revelation, the moon was in its last stage, appearing as a waning crescent.

10/14/07Beth Berry What percent of the population of the Middle East practice Islam? Islam Christianity Judaism

10/14/07Beth Berry Followers Islam –True Meaning: Means submission to the will of God Followers are called Muslims. –True meaning: Person who submits.

10/14/07Beth Berry Religious Figures Muhammad is the key figure. Abraham, Jesus, and Moses were prophets (messengers of God’s word).

10/14/07Beth Berry Holy Book Holy Book is called the Koran- Qur'an –Contains revelations God made to Muhammad. –The Koran contains both Old and New Testaments –Written in Arabic, the sacred language.

10/14/07Beth Berry Beliefs Belief in one god, God of Abraham. Arabic is the Sacred language Men can have up to four wives. Do not drink alcohol or eat pork Main goal is to live a good moral life.

10/14/07Beth Berry Role of Women The role of women varies depending on the country. Israel, Egypt, and Jordan: women are well educated and hold positions in business, politics, and military. Other countries have extreme restrictions for women including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Afghanistan In Saudi Arabia, women have fewer rights than men Can’t drive Four wives Can’t attend events with men Male family members must escort in public Can’t work outside the home Women must wear chadors Clothing requirements are LAW.

10/14/07Beth Berry Worship Services Place of worship is a mosque Services are held on Fridays and lead by an imam Imams are selected according to good character and religious knowledge The most important worship service is held Friday at noon

10/14/07Beth Berry Practices and Rituals The Five Pillars of Faith: The declaration of Faith: –The statement of faith must be declared publicly “ That Allah is one and Muhammad is his Messenger” Pray five times per day, always facing Mecca –One at sunrise, Noon, 3 pm, sunset, 9 pm Giving of alms, or charity. – 2.5% of wealth Click to hear the call to prayer

Practices and Rituals continued The Five Pillars continued: Fast during the holy month of Ramadan You are not allowed to eat anything from sunrise to sunset Ends with Eid-al-Fitr– or Festival of Fast-Breaking Once in a life time, any Muslim who can afford the journey is expected to make pilgrimages Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca

10/14/07Beth Berry Holy Cities Mecca: the birthplace of Muhammad Jerusalem: Dome of the Rock Medina: Burial place of Muhammad

10/14/07Beth Berry After Death Goal is to live with God’s guidance which will be rewarded with salvation. The opposite is damnation, or eternal suffering in hell.

10/14/07Beth Berry Number of Members today 1.3 billion people out of the world population of 6.1 billion practice the religion of Islam.

Beth Berry The Spread of Islam

Beth Berry Caliph The caliphate empire created a vast trading system. Islam was spread through books that were exchanged along trade routes during the caliph empire. The caliphs conquered Spain and spread Islam throughout.

The Ottoman Empire The Ottoman empire was a large Muslim army that conquered many areas and spread Islam. They controlled what is now Turkey and parts of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Southeast Europe. Rulers of the Ottoman Empire were called sultans, which is a term for Muslim leaders. Beth Berry

10/14/07Beth Berry Sects Sunni- majority Shi’ite- minority These two groups share most beliefs, but differ over the issue of leadership.

10/14/07Beth Berry