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Rise of Islam

Rise of Islam. 6th century: nomadic, Bedouin tribes in constant state of warfare Arabs were also looking for religion; certainty in this life and next Small presence of Judaism & Christianity. Muhammad. Born around 570 Orphaned by 6, raised by uncle

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Rise of Islam

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  1. Rise of Islam • 6th century: nomadic, Bedouin tribes in constant state of warfare • Arabs were also looking for religion; certainty in this life and next • Small presence of Judaism & Christianity

  2. Muhammad • Born around 570 • Orphaned by 6, raised by uncle • Married a wealthy widow and had 6 children, 5 of whom died • Muhammad withdraws into hermit life • 612 has vision of archangel Gabriel calling him to be herald of Allah, Jewish God • Wrote down words given to him: Koran

  3. Koran • Arabic for recitation • Not Muhammad's words, but God's • 114 chapters • Revealed in Arabic; only should be read in Arabic • Readers learn Arabic for full nature and power • Written in poetry form: meant to be read aloud

  4. Muhammad and Islam • Muhammad proclaims worship of one, true God • Same God of Jews/Christians • Jew/Christians have misunderstood intentions of God • God's revelation culminated not in Jesus, but Muhammad's visions • Muhammad is God's last prophet • Jesus is also a prophet • Most unique components of Christianity are denied by Islam

  5. Islam & other religions • No separation between civil powers and religious authority in Islam • Christians were first tolerated by Islam, but tensions rose as Islam became more politicized and militant • Christians and Jews forced to pay tax: jizya to retain right to practice

  6. Spread of Islam • Muhammad is preaching in Mecca, but soon flees to Medina • Islam takes off in Medina and Muhammad becomes military leader as well • Confrontation b/w Jews in Medina and Muhammad's forces over recognition of Muhammad as prophet • Men are slaughtered and women/children turned to slavery

  7. Five of Pillars of Islam • Shahada: creed statement of Islam • Prayer • Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca • Ramadan: holy month • Zakah: alms for purification

  8. Five of Pillars of Islam • Shahada: • must make following in freedom and with belief • There is no god but God, and Muhammad is his prophet. • No sacraments in Islam • Prayer: • 5 times daily always facing Mecca • Holy day is Friday from Jewish tradition • Muslims gather for community prayer on Friday

  9. Five of Pillars of Islam • Hajj: • Required at least once during each Muslim's life • Usually 8th-12th days of last month (during Ramadan) • Profound expression of unity of Muslims • Ramadan: • Holy month, 9th lunar month • Strict fasting from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations • Demonstrates one's dependence on God and opens eyes to plight of poor

  10. Five of Pillars of Islam • Zakah: • alms to support poor • percentage of income • Some governments collect, others give freely • Other tenants of Islam • Idolatry is forbidden • Apostasy and adultery are forbidden as well • Polygamy is permitted under strict rules • No more than four wives, treated equally • Technically permitted, but very rare

  11. Jihad and Spread of Islam • Holy war against 'infidels' • Participants go straight to heaven, shaded by swords, and have limitless virgins • Spread of Islamic territory and faith are hand in hand • Muslims forces attack Jerusalem in  638 • eventually prompts Christians to crusades • 698 most of North Africa was Muslim • 711 Spain fell to Muslims

  12. Jerusalem • Holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims • Dome of Rock to commemorate 'night journey' • Built on former Temple site • Still point of contention between Jews/Muslims

  13. Sunni vs. Shite • Shite or Shi’a: Party of Ali • Claim Ali, son-in-law and cousin of Muhammad is rightful successor • Sunni: tradition • Accept order of first four Caliphs • Ali as 4th • About 85% of world’s Muslims

  14. Papal Perspective • Despite expansionist tendencies many westerners have since seen some of the positive characteristics of Islam • Bl. John Paul II worked to enter positive dialogue with Muslims • Recognized differences of Christianity and Islam, but preached Islam deserves respect

  15. USCCB Response to 9/11 • The principal document that outlines the U.S. Bishops' response to the attacks of September 11th is the Pastoral Message: Living with Faith and Hope After September 11, which was issued by the full body of bishops in November 2001 • The bishops and other religious leaders called on Americans to avoid succumbing to hate, revenge, and violence, particularly against Arab-Americans and Muslims.

  16. USCCB Response to 9/11 • Crimes against humanity. • The attacks of September 11th were not just attacks on the United States, but, as Pope John Paul II has said, they were crimes against humanity. The victims came from dozens of countries, and the economic and political repercussions have been global. Those responsible for the attacks may have been motivated by opposition to specific U.S. policies, particularly in the Middle East, but their underlying agenda seems to be a deep antagonism toward Western culture and institutions.

  17. The Roots of Terrorism • A new sense of solidarity • One function of the bishops' statements on September 11th was to refocus the public debate from military responses to terrorism to long-term efforts to get at the roots of terrorism. After September 11th, Americans better appreciate how injustice and instability in far away lands about which we know and care too little can have a direct impact on our own sense of peace and security.

  18. The Roots of Terrorism • Addressing poverty, injustice and conflict around the world will not eliminate terrorism, but people of hate and violence will have fewer allies, supporters and resources to commit their heinous acts. Therefore, the United States should • renew efforts to achieve a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the genocidal conflict in Sudan; • end the economic embargo against Iraq; • address with much greater seriousness the scandal of global poverty and economic inequalities by promoting sustainable development in the poorest countries; • ensure that human rights are an integral part of U.S. foreign policy; • reduce the predominant role of the US in the arms trade; • strengthen the UN and other international institutions.

  19. The Roots of Terrorism • A broad understanding of security. • In dealing with terrorism, a focus on military security is not adequate; a much broader, long-term understanding of security is needed. Without in any way justifying the unjustifiable, the U.S. must do much more to address policies and problems that provide fertile ground in which terrorism can thrive.

  20. The Roots of Terrorism • Religion and terrorism. • Any simplistic connection between Islam and terrorism must be rejected. The most effective counter to terrorist claims of religious justification for violence or, for that matter, to those who claim that religion is mostly a source of conflict comes from within the world's rich religious traditions and from the witness of so many people of faith who have been a powerful force for non-violent human liberation around the world. September 11th presents a challenge to the Church as well as our government to come to a deeper level of understanding and engagement with Islam

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