2. Basic Facts of Islam
Islam is the third in succession of the three great monotheistic faiths born in the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
Islam is the second largest religion in world (1.2 billion adherents)
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world

4. Islam Basics Not all Muslims are Arabic
Indonesia has the highest population of Muslims in the world

5. Islam Basics Not all Arabs are Muslims
Jewish, Christian, Zoroastrian, etc.
Jerusalem is a very important city to all three faiths

6. Dome of the Rock
Muhammad is believed to have risen to heaven from this spot

7. Islam Basics Not all Muslims are terrorists
A very minute percentage are “fundamental fanatical” Muslims who wish to do harm

8. Islamic Terms
Islam: an Arabic word that means “submitting to God” and “peace”
Muslim: a person who follows the teachings of Islam and “submits to God and finds peace in Him”.
Allah: Arabic name for God. It is preferred over other names because it has no gender affiliation and does not have plurality

9. Mosque
Muslim place of worship Muslims come together in a mosque for prayers at midday on Friday (Muslim Holy Day) Pray facing toward Mecca (East)
MINARET= high tower or dome from which a muezzin calls the faithful to prayer
WUDU= cleansing process before prayer (water)
IMAM= chief officer in the mosque who leads prayers

10. PROPHET’S MOSQUE in Medina: the first mosque in Islam

11. Ka’bah
Ka’bah- cube shaped building that was built by Abraham to honor God
Was filled with idols as people in Arabia followed polytheism
Muhammad- received revelations that led to Islam and monotheism (removed pagan idols)
Site of hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca

16. Mecca is the holiest city for Muslims

17. Holy city
Right: Mecca
as it would have appeared around the time of his birth (below)

18. Origins
Muhammad was an average man, who was caring, peaceful and was a great communicator
He saw the angel Gabriel, who told him that there was 1 God, Allah
The word of God was written down in the Qu’ran (Koran)

19. Divine intervention
610 CE
Muhammad and the angel Gabriel

20. The first Muslims
Early followers of the Prophet pondering his words at Yathrib
(Medina)
Muhammad gave daily recitations of the messages he believed came from Allah
which his followers faithfully recorded

21. Sacred Book
The Qur’an
114 chapters (suras)

22. 5 Pillars

23. Jihad Complex and confusing term “Defensive struggle” of Islam
Some claim that this includes warfare against “infidels”
Most claim that this is an internal struggle

24. 2 Sects Sunni – Majority of Muslims
Believe that Islamic leaders do not have to be direct descendants of Muhammad (Abu Bakr)
Shi’ite—Minority of Muslims (Iraq, Iran, Palestine)
Believe that Islamic leaders should be direct descendants of Muhammad (Ali ibn Abi Talib)
Has caused tension and fighting in the Muslim world