1. The beginning of Islam in the Middle East
The Rise of the Islamic Arab Empire

2. So Far this unit....
The Middle East is filled with what type of landscape?
Trade routes were created despite this tricky geography how?
How did the Bedouin clan system benefit the establishment of trade routes?
Persian and Byzantine Empires....still in a seemingly endless fight because we are still introducing you to the region...

3. What do These things have in common?
All conditions that led to the rise of a new empire in the region
Without the geography, people, trade routes, etc. The Islamic Arab Empire may have never been created

4. These Reasons Are..... Geography Bedouin Culture Trade Routes
Falling Empires
Finally....Islam!

5. Today’s Class – islam Watch a quick video on the beginning of Islam
Go over the history in more detail
Discuss the link between what we have learned so far about the Middle East and the spread of the Islamic Arab Empire

6. Video Time? Yes video time
What are the main concepts of Islam?
What was Muhammad’s life like?
How did people respond to Muhammad after he began to tell people about what he saw?

7. Who Is Muhammad?
An Arab of the Quraysh tribe, born around 570CE in Mecca
Raised by his uncle Abu Talib, a wealthy merchant
Worked for his uncle in a variety of jobs from an early age
As an adult, hired by a wealthy widow, Khadija, who hired him as a trade agent to represent her business
This allowed Muhammad to travel quite a bit through the region and learn about peoples and religions

8. A Little Bit About Mecca
Has anyone heard the term “Mecca” before?
Used to mean a ‘centre’ where people will gather
Mecca the city, was a centre for many religious beliefs
People would travel to worship there - Pilgrimage
Can anything think about any Mecca’s today?

9. Seattle – Grunge Music
Silicon Valley - Software
Las Vegas - Gambling

10. Muhammad As an Adult
Marries Khadija, the wealthy widow, which allows him time to study religions, and take more time for himself
Around 610 CE, claims to have a vision where an angel speaks to him
Believed he had been chosen to convey God’s word to man

11. Islam Has similarities to two other religions.... Do you know why?

12. Muhammad learned about 2 religions in Particular
Judaism
Muhammad learned about 2 religions in Particular
Although many were practiced in the area
Christianity

13. Islam: abrahamic Tradition
Muhammad saw himself as the messenger of God like Abraham, Moses, Noah and a non-divine version of Jesus as a prophet
Preached submission to God’s will while claiming no divinity, or interpretation in holy book Qur’an
Taught tolerance for Christians and Jews because they were “people of the book” as well

14. Resistance To ISlam
Merchant elites of Mecca did not like Muhammad’s goal of converting everyone to Islam
They felt they could make more money if things stayed the same, Mecca remained a multi-religious centre
Forced to relocate to another city, Medina

15. Impacts of Islam: Rich Vs Poor
Shift in pilgrimages; from many religions to just Islam
Empower the poor, and encourage charity
Rejected slavery and taught that both sexes were equal
Created an identity that included all Arabs and any person willing to convert
Rich
Poor

16. Islam’s Role in The Empire to Come
Unified an otherwise fragmented Arab population
Gave reason to expand for religious and military reasons (conversion and conquest)
Allowed for a political structure that was stable under the leadership of Muhammad

17. Time for a handout! Its a study guide

18. Given What you Learned so far.....
Take some time and write down how you think the following things could have affected the spread of the Islamic Arab Empire?
The Geography of the Middle East
The trade routes
The Bedouin clan system that extends between cities
Byzantine & Persian Empires constant war
The founding of Islam

19. Get into groups of four! Now that you’ve had some time to think...
See if your group can come to an agreement on which of the 5 aspects of the Middle East was the most important
After you choose one as a group, come up with at least 3 major reasons why you think it is more important than the others

20. Review!!! Who was Muhammad? What allowed him to learn about religions?
What effect did Islam have on Arab populations?
Does any of this not make sense?