2. Abraham lived in the Mesopotamian city of Ur (what is today the Middle East). Abraham loved and obeyed God. God made Abraham a promise … that his descendents would out number the stars and would inhabit land that God would give them.

3. Birth place of Abraham

4. Abraham and his wife, Sarah Isaac The second son Abraham and Hagar Ishmael The oldest son Descendents Hebrews (Jews/Christianity) Descendents Arabs (Islam)

5. Abraham and his wife, Sarah Isaac The second son Abraham and Hagar Ishmael The oldest son His descendents believed God’s promise was for them and all their descendents!

6. Abraham and his wife, Sarah Isaac The second son Abraham and Hagar Ishmael The oldest son His descendents believed God’s promise was for them and all their descendents! So these two religions, Judaism and Islam, have been fighting ever since the death of Father Abraham! But this is for another day! First, let’s first learn about the similarities and differences of these religions!

7. Symbol – Star of David Holy Book - Torah Foundation on promises from God Holy book - Torah

8. Jerusalem is a holy city for the Jews. During Biblical times, Jerusalem was a political and religious center of Jewish people. King David made it the capital city and later his son, King Solomon built the first Jewish temple here (900’s BC).

9. This temple was built, destroyed, and rebuilt many times over several hundred years as other people conquered Jerusalem. The temple was destroyed for the last time in 70 AD by the Romans. All that remains today is the Western Wall.

10. Jews come to this wall to pray. Because of the heartfelt prayers offered here, non-Jewish people refer to the wall as the Wailing Wall. However, the Jewish people refer to the wall as the Western Wall.

11. Worship in a synagogue Holy City - Jerusalem

12. Symbol – Cross Holy Book – Holy Bible Followers of Jesus Christ

13. The Birth of Christianity Jesus was born to a Jewish family about 2030 years ago in the city of Bethlehem. At 30 years old, he began preaching and teaching about God. Soon his followers grew, as well as his enemies.

14. Three years later, his enemies crucified Him on the hill of Calvary in Jerusalem. Three days later He rose from the dead, appeared to His followers, and eventually went to heaven. His followers continued his work and began the religion of Christianity. Therefore, Jerusalem is also very holy to Christians. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is believed to stand on the hill of Calvary.

15. Worship in a church Holy City – Jerusalem

16. Foundation – Muhammad’s revelations Holy book – Qur’an Symbol – crescent moon and star

17. The Birth of Islam Muhammad (an Arab) was born in Mecca in 570 AD. At age 40, he received revelations from God. He began preaching about these messages from God as well as against the corruption of society. He also gained many followers as well as enemies.

18. In 622 AD nobles of Mecca were threatening his life, so he fled Mecca to Medina. There he built an army and eight years later (630 AD), he returned to Mecca. He took the city of Mecca and destroyed the idols in the Kaaba. He proclaimed that only Allah (God) was to be worshipped and proclaimed Mecca a holy city.

19. The Kaaba The Qu’ran (Islam’s holy book) states that the Kaaba was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. The Kaaba had been filled with over 300 idols, but when Muhammad took Mecca, he destroyed the idols and proclaimed that only Allah would be worshipped here.

20. Muslims (followers of Islam) consider the Kaaba so sacred, they believe that at least once in their life they must make a pilgrimage (or Haj) to the Kaaba.

21. Another sacred place for Muslims Dome of the Rock Muslims believe that Muhammad rose to heaven from this site and the rock marks the site. Where is this rock and dome located? Jerusalem!

22. http://wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/262/268312/art/figures/KISH_07_156.gif During the 7th and 8th centuries, Islam spread by conversion and military conquest throughout the Middle East and North Africa. By 733, just 100 years after the death of Muhammad, an Islamic state stretched from the Indus Valley in the east to Spain in the west. (Caliphs – rulers of Islam)

23. There is only 1 God Praying 5 times a day in the direction of Mecca Giving to the poor and needy Fasting during the month of Ramadan Making a pilgrimage, or haj, to Mecca

24. Muslims have differences of opinion. This has caused a division among Muslims, dividing them into two separate groups: Sunnis and Shiites The major reason for this division came in the 7 th century with the question of succession. The Shi’ites believed that Mohammad’s successor should be a direct descent of Mohammad Sunnis believed that Mohammad’s successor should be selected by religious leaders. This sparked a civil war between the two groups, and the two groups continue to be divided on major issues today.

25. Worship in a mosque Holy City - Jerusalem Holy City – Mecca

26. For Christians … Jesus spent his last days on Earth here in Jerusalem and was resurrected here as well. For Jewish faith … temple of Solomon was built on this site. It was destroyed but a second temple was built on the same site. This wall was the western wall of that 2 nd temple. Jewish people also believe this is the eternal capital of the Israelite nation. For Islam … the Dome of the Rock Mosque surrounds the rock from which the Prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven.

27. All 3 holy sites captured in one image! Church of the Holy Sepulcher commemorates the hill of crucifixion and the tomb of Christ's burial. Dome of the Rock Western Wall

28. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. What problems do you think this may cause for the people who consider this city holy to their religion?

29. Christia nity IslamJudaism Christmas – - the birth of Jesus Lent – - 40 days leading up to Easter – personal reflection, improvement through prayer, fasting, and study Holy Week - Palm Sunday - Maundy Thursday – remembrance of Last Supper - Good Friday - Easter Sunday Ramadan - Muslims fast during daylight hours entire month as part of effort toward self-purification and moral excellence Passover – celebrates Exodus from Egypt Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year- reflection Yom Kippur - day of fasting and repentance for mistakes Sukkot - celebrates Biblical period of wandering in the desert Hanukkah - celebrates rededication of holy Temple in Jerusalem Holidays and Traditions

30. Basic Beliefs ChristianityIslamJudaism One God Bible is written word of God Jesus Christ God manifested in flesh Jesus died for sinners Believe in life after death One God Belief in holy books sent to all prophets (including Torah) Belief in all prophets Belief in Day of Judgment and life after death Holy Book – Qu’ran or Koran G-d exits G-d is one G-d is eternal Pray to G-d alone Words of prophets are true G-d will reward the good and punish the evil Holy Book - Torah

31. Judaism Christianity Islam Where did the religion begin? Sumer Judea Arabia Who is the founder? Abraham Followers of Jesus Muhammad What is the religion based on? Abraham’s covenant with God Jesus – the Son of God Muhammad’s revelations Where are the stories recorded? New Testament Qur’an What do they have in common? Old Testament Founders received revelation Worship one God

32. Jews have differences of opinions… Orthodox Jews believe in strict observance of the traditions and principles of Judaism. Secular Jews do not follow all the laws and traditions as strictly.

33. Christians have differences of opinions… Just to name a few … Methodists Baptists Lutherans Presbyterians Episcopalians

34. Sunnis Shi’ites Believe in -One God -5 Pillars -Qu’ran Successor should be direct descent of Mohammad Interpret the Qu’ran Extremely conservative Most believe in jihad Successor should be elected by leaders Take Qu’ran literally – not interpretations Very conservative Some willing to practice jihad (holy war)

35. Muslim Distribution Today Sunni Shi’ite

36. Monotheism Polytheism Judaism Christianity Islam Muslims Sunni Shi’ite Haj Torah Qu’ran (Koran) Jihad Muhammad Abraham Jesus Mosque Synagogue Dome of the Rock Western Wall People and places to know…

37. Why is Jerusalem so important to all 3 religions? What is the origin of Judaism? What is the origin of Christianity? What is the origin of Islam? Why did Muslims divide into two separate groups? What are these two groups? What are the similarities and differences of these two groups of Muslims?

39. Abraham – father of 3 major religions – Christianity, Judaism, Islam Jesus – followers are called Christians – believe He is the Son of God Mohammad – founder of Islam – followers believe God gave him revelations Christianity – followers of Jesus Christ Judaism – descendants of Abraham and Isaac – believe they are the chosen of God Islam – religion founded by Mohammad Torah – holy book of Judaism Qur’an (Koran) – holy book of Islam Synagogue – where Jewish faith worship Mosque – where Muslims worship Monotheistic – belief in one God Dome of the Rock – mosque built around the rock where Muslims believe Mohammad ascended into heaven Haj – an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca – one of the 5 pillars of Islam Mecca – birth place of Mohammad Western wall – holy place for Jewish – wall of 2 nd temple Jerusalem - capital of Israel and holy city to 3 major religions Sunni – A division of Islam. Believe Islamic ruler should be elected Shia (Shi’ite) – another division of Islam Believe Islamic ruler should be a descendant od Mohammed 18 terms -9 on one page -9 on the other!