Achmed the dead Terrorist

1. Achmed the dead Terrorist

2. Stereotypes and Islam “a conventional and usually oversimplified conception or belief” Muslims oppress women Historically promoted women’s rights Koran grants right to inherit property, conduct business, education and right to divorce Most oppression is a cultural tradition not part of Islam Women are forced to wear a hijab (headscarf) or burka Rules of modesty are open to interpretation • All Muslims are Arabs • Most Muslim actually live in Asia and Africa, not the Mid-East • Muslims are violent and promote terrorism • Jihad (struggle) • Physical struggle against enemies of Islam • Enemies can be attacked by the heart, the tongue, the hand, or the sword • Struggle to build a good society • Islam is considered a religion of peace • There is NOTHING in the Koran that supports terrorism

3. Origins of Islam

4. Abraham Ishmael Abraham visited Arabia Built holy sanctuary at Zamzam Called Ka’Bah (cube) • Son of Abraham and Hagar, his servant • Sent away into the desert • Hagar found water where Ishmael’s heels touched the sand • Called Zamzam well, where Mecca was founded

5. Basic Beliefs Muhammad Muhammad spread the messages he received from Allah Supported by his wife, Khadijah In 622 CE, forced to flee Mecca for Medina known as the Hijrah In 632 CE, Prophet Muhammad died Islamic control of central Arabia was well underway • Prophet Muhammad was an Arab • born in 570 CE, in Mecca • present-day Saudi Arabia • merchant known as “al-Amin,” • the trustworthy one • In 610 CE, had a vision of the angel Gabriel, (a figure in Hebrew Bible) • Hira cave • gave him messages from God, called Allah in Arabic

6. “He has revealed to you the Book with the truth, confirming the scriptures which preceded it; for He has already revealed the Torah and the Gospel for the guidance of men, and the distinction between right and wrong.” Basic Beliefs Koran Hadith Life and teachings of Muhammad Including revelations Six volumes which Muslims use as a model to live by • Islamic holy scriptures • contains the Word of God as received by Muhammad • 114 suras (chapters), written in Arabic • Another book of scripture like the Torah and Bible Gospels • Others were corrupted, however, so Koran is most correct • Gives directions for daily life, as well as the afterlife

7. Basic Beliefs “Peoples of the Book” Sharia Moral code and religious law of Islam Secular laws Crime, politics, economics Personal laws Halal (diet and life) No pork, alcohol, etc prayer, fasting Two sources of Sharia law Precepts of Koran Example of Prophet Muhammad Interpreted by Islamic judges Mufti, Mullahs, etc • Non-Muslims • Christians and Jews • Allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes

8. Observances • The Five Pillars of Islam is the term for the religion’s five main beliefs

9. Observances: 5 Pillars of Islam • Shahada • Testimony or declaration of faith • Declares oneness with Allah and Islam • “There is no god worth of worship except God, and Muhammad is His Messenger” • Salat • Mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day • Dawn • Noon • Late afternoon • Sunset • Before going to bed • Face Mecca and use prayer rug • Rakahs: specific bowing positions • Pray in the mosque on Friday • “Allahuakbar!’”(God is great!)

10. Observances: 5 Pillars of Islam • Zakat • Almsgiving of about 2.5% of your income • Muslims believe that all things belong to God • Means both ‘purification’ and ‘growth’ • Sawm • Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan • Time of purification and religious devotion • No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset • Eid-al-Fitr • End of the Ramadan holiday

11. Observances: 5 Pillars of Islam • Hajj • Pilgrimage to Mecca • To be done at least once in a lifetime, if possible • 2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year • Can be called hajji after they’ve returned • Specific guidelines for worshippers • Men • Shave heads and wear white clothing • Women • Wear clothing of native country • Head must be covered • First, walk 7 times counter-clockwise around the Ka’Bah • Next, run seven times between hills of As-Safa and Al-Marwah • Spend night at Mina, then meet in the morning at the plain of Arafat • Pray from noon to sunset, then climb Mount of Mercy to ask forgiveness • Spend night at Muzdalifahthen return to Mina • “Stoning of the Devil” • Animal sacrifices on the 10th day • Finally, walk 7 times again around the Ka’Bah

12. Symbols Mosque Built around a large dome Plainly furnished and floor covered with prayer rugs Walls and ceilings inlaid with calligraphy Face a mihrab (small alcove) in the direction of Mecca Imam preaches from a minbar(pulpit) Minaret (ma’dhana) tower where adhan (call to prayer) is chanted • Place of worship and prayer • Gather each Friday for sermon by the Imam (preacher) • Does not hold special status • Elected by merit of his scholarship and dedication to Islam

13. Symbols • Built between 689-691 CE • On the site of the Second Jewish Temple • Some believed it to be where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac, or Ishmael • Dome of the Rock • Haram ash Sharif • Muslim shrine • Site of Muhammad’s Journey into Heaven

14. Symbols Crescent and Star Ka’Bah Sacred shrine at Mecca Curtains and carpets cover the outside Silver and gold lamps inside Oval black stone Given to Abraham by an angel Was once white but turned black with kisses of worshippers • Principal symbol of Islam • Often used atop minarets, on flags, stamps, etc • Symbolic of symbolic and understanding offered by Islam • Waxing moon increases in light and star provides direction • Islam guides faithful toward Allah • Originally used in Byzantium • Ottoman Turks adopted it as military symbol

15. Holidays and Celebrations Islamic Calendar Ramadan – July 20, 2012 Eid-ul-Fitr – Aug 19, 2012 • Starts from 622 CE, time of the Hijrah • Lunar calendar – each month begins with the new moon • Presently in 1433 H. (2012) Ramadan – July 9, 2013 Eid-ul-Fitr – Aug 8, 2013

16. Ramadan Ninth month of the calendar year Starts at breaking dawn and ends at setting of sun Suhoor – pre-fast meal before dawn Iftar – post-fast meal after sunset Eid-ul-Fitr Celebration of the end of Ramadan Marked by giving of charity and sometimes small gifts Lasts for 3 days “Eidmubarak” (a blessed Eid) • A time to draw closer to Allah and rededicate oneself • Month to rid a follow of habits that may be bad • Seek forgiveness for sin • Way to teach self-control and discipline • Control human desires like eating, drinking, etc

17. Marriage • Actual wedding day • Groom’s party comes to ‘take away’ the bride • Bride usually wears red, or shades of red • Both sign the Nikah, Islamic marriage agreement • Marriages arranged by families • In modern times, Muslims are choosing their own mates • Polygamy is allowed but rarely practiced • A man can have up to 4 wives as long as he can treat them equally • Ceremony is simple but celebration is elaborate • Celebration can be 4-8 days long • Mehendi • Day before when bride gets henna on her hands • Considered a ‘simple’ day with minimal makeup, dress, etc • Reception • Hosted by Groom’s party and conclusion of wedding celebration

18. Caliphs Muhammad died June 8, 632 CE no instructions about successor no son • Abu-Bakr • 632 – 634 • Muhammad’s loyal friend and supporter; father in law • Rebellious tribes were defeated and Arab world united • Umaribn al-Khattab • 634 – 644 • Conquered the Levant, Egypt, Iraq, Persia • Damascus and Jerusalem surrendered peacefully

19. Caliphs Mu’awiyah assumed leadership Ali Bin AbiTalib 656 – 661 (assassinated by followers) Son of Abu Talib; brother in law of Muhammad Power struggle escalated to armed conflict With Uthman’s remaining family; led by Mu’awiyah Emergence of political parties Last caliph to know Muhammad personally Uthman bin Affan 644 – 656 (assassinated) Collected/compiled the Koran Emergence of power struggle

20. Shi’ah and Sunni Split Shi’ah Sunni Led by Mu’awiyah (Umayyads) Follow traditional path but differ from Shi’ah Do not believe Islamic leader must be heir to Muhammad Lineage does not hold special religious inspiration Elected caliphs on merit of character Close to 90% of followers today • Led revolts to restore leadership • Believed only descendants of Ali should lead • Continued in successions of Imams • Only Imams can guide Muslims to salvation • 10-15% of followers today

21. Islam Today Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the world

22. Islamic Art Calligraphy History spread through oral stories and poems Art is devoid of all things animate No graven images (idolatry) No illustrations of human or animal figures Focused on calligraphy and design Educated peoples expect to have good handwriting • Grew from importance of Koran • Word of God written in best and most elegant script • Also needed to be very clear • Used to decorate mosques • Has become purely decorative

23. Islamic Art: Calligraphy Your assignment Practice your calligraphy, and create your own monogram, or Tughra Share your Tughra with the class • Tughra • Monogram of sultan of Turkey • Symbol of unity and authority • Always on any written decree • Complex design from the letters in name or signature • Sultan Suleyman I • Ruled in 1500s • Thousands of books, paintings, art objects were created

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