1. The Beginnings of Islam
The Arabian peninsula is covered by desert
The nomads called Bedouins live there
Herd sheep, camels, and goats
Led trade caravans as guides
Mecca is on the Arabian peninsula

2. The Arabian Peninsula

4. The Beginnings of Islam
Muhammad was born in Mecca
In 610AD Muhammad began to preach the teachings of Islam, his followers are called Muslims
Allah is God, and Muhammad is called the Messenger
In 622, Muhammad was invited to Yathrib
Yathrib was changed to Medina, city of the prophet
In 632, when Muhammad died, Islam had spread across the Arabian Peninsula

6. The Beginnings of Islam
A mosque is a Muslim house of worship
The Quran is the holy book
Muslims pray 5 times a day and face toward Mecca
Five Pillars of Islam- The basic beliefs of the religion
Declaration of Faith
Prayer
Almsgiving
Fasting
Pilgrimage

8. The Beginnings of Islam
Islam experienced a schism in 656
Uthman, the Islamic leader was assassinated
Two groups argued over who should be the next leader
The Shiites said it should be a direct descendant of Muhammad
The Sunnis argued that any truly religious man could lead.
Today, 85% of Muslims are Sunni
Shiites and Sunnis still argue over this today

9. The Beginnings of Islam
Sunni Countries
Saudi Arabia
Algeria
Egypt
Jordan
Evenly Mixed
Kuwait
Shiite Countries
Bahrain
Iran
Iraq