January 2012 Archives

"The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens."- Baha'u'llah

We'll set aside tomorrow as a work day. On Thursday, we'll do any review that you want and then complete the Islam Multiple Choice quiz.

THE BAHA'I FAITH

This is an appropriate topic for two reasons. First, the faith had its historical roots in the Islamic world of the early 19th-century. Second, the religion aims to be inclusive of aspects of many faiths and traditions. Baha'i labels itself the world's second-most widespread religion (after Christianity) and the fastest growing (a claim many argue belongs instead to Islam). There are probably somewhere around ten million Baha'i worldwide today.

You should check out the following resources:

Welcome to the Baha'i Faith is a nice introduction to the Baha'i faith, particularly as it is practiced in the United States.

About the Faith is a good place to start. You might want to remember that this is a site developed by the Baha'i community.

History of the Baha'i Faith provides a very efficient introduction to the basics of the faith's origins.

Baha'i Symbols shows you a couple interesting symbols and their interpretations.

Baha'i House of Worship for the North American Continent - Check out this building located just north of Chicago near Northwestern University. It's one of the coolest buildings that I have seen in the US.

Rainn Wilson (Dwight on "The Office") interview - Wilson is a Baha'i

Multimedia - You can find a ton of podcasts, interviews, videos, etc. here

Defining terms: The Bab, Baha'u'llah

Islam and the Baha'i Faith looks at the relationship between Islam and the Baha'i faith. Browse through this and be sure you understand how each faith views the other.

Homework for the final sessions...

As I mentioned, I have no problem accepting work through the end of Sunday. Beyond that, I'll accept work to get you to a passing grade, but I don't feel any obligation to give you credit beyond that. (Be sure to talk to me in advance if you think I should make an exception to that.)

• Independent Assignment #3 - "Read About It OR Watching It" - Due Wednesday, January 4th
• Independent Assignment #4 - "Experience It" - Due Thursday, January 12th

• "Read About It OR Watching It" - The option you did not do above.
• "Talking About It"
• "Taking a Position"
  
• "Learn About an Interest"

"I believe in the religion of Islam. I believe in Allah and peace." - Muhammad Ali

Today, we'll tackle some controversial issues related to Islam. We'll start with two that you are probably familiar with at least the outlines of...

The Satanic Verses controversy - Be sure these terms make sense to you: Salman Rushdie, fatwa, Ayatollah Khomeini

Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy - This relates to a series of cartoons printed in a Danish newspaper in 2005.

Jihad in Islam: This is perhaps the most misunderstood concept in Islam. The word itself comes from an Arabic root meaning "struggling" or "striving". In the West, it has frequently come to be associated with militarism, anti-Western views, and terrorism. These resources might help you better understand the concept.

What is Jihad?: Daniel Pipes is the author of the book Militant Islam Reaches America. This article expresses his very strong opinion of "jihad," which others have criticized as distorted.

Jihad: Here's a contrasting definition of the term from the Islamic Glossary at the USC site.

DO THIS: Consider this information and make up your own mind. Is jihad a threat to non-Muslims? Has the West overreacted and misinterpreted the concept?

Women and Islam: Outside of the Islamic world (and within it, for that matter), the status of women has been a topic of much controversy. Traditionally, the issues which are at the core of the debate have been the customs of veiling and polygamy that have been a part of Islam's history.

Resources to consult:

About "Women in Islam"- A Resource Page- There are dozens of links to resources here. They come from a wide variety of perspectives.

Women in Islam- This is a pro-Islamic source with a large number of links to issues related to the status of women in Islam.

DO THIS: We will approach the topic in this way:

• We will summarize the arguments made by those who criticize Islam's treatment of women.
• We will attempt to understand the religion's response to these claims.
• Finally, we will share our own opinions on these issues.

• Independent Assignment #3 - "Read About It OR Watching It" - Due Wednesday, January 4th
• Independent Assignment #4 - "Experience It" - Due Thursday, January 12th

• "Read About It OR Watching It" - The option you did not do above.
• "Talking About It"
• "Taking a Position"
  
• "Learn About an Interest"

"The twenty-first century will be the century of Islam. Consider the facts: a population of 1.3 billion and growing; fifty-five states and one of them nuclear; about 25 million permanently living in the West and many of them now making an impact on social, political, and economic life; and a religion that comes with commitment and passion."- Akbar S. Ahmed

Ideally, you should have begun reading the Islam chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. Please try to make some progress there by the time we next meet.

DAY #3- CENTRAL BELIEFS and THE DIVISIONS WITHIN ISLAM

Need a warm-up? Try this on-line quiz. This is the Level 1: Test 1 (easiest) quiz from islam101.com. There are 11 questions, and it will be graded on-line.

We'll start with a look at the Five Pillars of Islam.  Defining terms: shahadah, salat, zakat, sawm, hajj

Central beliefs of Islam: We have certainly considered much of this topic already, but I thought we'd take a more systematic look at some of the central beliefs of Islam.

Six Basic Beliefs

• Belief in the Oneness of God
• Belief in messengers (prophets) of God
• Belief in angels
• Belief in revealed books of Allah
• Belief in fate
• Belief in a Day of Judgment and Resurrection

"Life after Death"- Those of you interested in Islam's view on this topic might want to consult this article.

Here are the 99 names of God (Allah).

The Division in Islam: Sunni and Shi'ite (and Sufi)

Defining terms: caliph, Shariah, Husayn, Ali, Sunni, Shi'ite

Although this page has perhaps the most irritating design ever, there is a good introduction to the "split" here.

If you're interested in accessing resources on Sufism - Here's a link to "Sufism, Sufis, and Sufi Orders." There's a lot here.

The Muslim World today

Map of the "Muslim World"

Here's what Wikipedia has regarding populations of Islam by country.

Muslim Americans - As I was teaching this class two years ago, The Pew Research Center had just released what is being called the largest and most comprehensive survey of American Muslims. Here is the online version of the report. If you are interested, you can download the entire report in PDF format, but it is over 100 pages long.

This report is worth us taking a look at for a while. We'll ask you to take a look at one chapter and report back to us some of what you find most interesting.

I read American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion a year or two back. Some of you might find it pretty interesting. (I'm not getting a kickback or anything from Amazon for directing you there...) Here's a transcript of an appearance the author made at the Carnegie Council.

PBS' Muslims - This is the web site designed to accompany the special which aired several years back. As usual with PBS internet resources, this one is exceptional. You might check out these specific features:

• Introduction: This is an overview of the people and topics covered in the videotape.
• Portraits of Ordinary Muslims
• Interviews with Muslim Scholars: Just what it sounds like...

HOMEWORK for Islam - Day #4

"I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age." - Sir George Bernard Shaw

We'll begin by checking in with you on the video clip from last time... Following that, we'll see how far we get in the material for today.

Islam: Empire of Faith

Defining terms: bedouin, jinn, Mecca, Khadijah, Ka'aba, Yathrib (Medina), Qur'an (Koran), Five Pillars, muezzin

Islam: Empire of Faith- This is the web site produced by PBS to accompany the video. It's really good.

DAY #2 - INTRODUCTION: MUHAMMAD, THE QUR'AN AND THE FIVE PILLARS

Ideally, you should begin reading the Islam chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. Please try to make some progress there by the time we next meet.

Islam- Introduction: As with Judaism and Christianity, we will try to avoid recovering ground with which you are already familiar. The assumption is that you have studied the subject in World History and that you have acquired at least some understanding of the religion. Any topics that we "revisit" will either be covered in additional depth or from a different perspective.

You can take a few minutes to discuss "first impressions" here. We'll definitely come back to these...

* What are the ideas, descriptions, or images that immediately come to mind when the terms "Muslim" or "Islam" are used?

* Are the majority of stereotypes regarding Islam positive or negative? Why do you believe that is the case?

* If you are asked to name Muslims (either contemporary or historical), who comes to mind?

* Is the Western media fair in its coverage of Islam? Explain your position.

Defining terms: Muhammad, (pbuh), Muhammadanism (sic), Islam, Muslim, Allah

Muhammad:

"My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level. It is probable that the relative influence of Muhammad on Islam has been larger than the combined influence of Jesus Christ and St. Paul on Christianity. . . . It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history."

Michael H. Hart, THE 100: A RANKING OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS IN HISTORY, New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc., 1978, p. 33.

FYI: Here's the complete and updated list of "The 100" from Hart's most recent edition of the book.

Just because it's interesting, here's a different list from a recent book. The 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived: How Characters of Fiction, Myth, Legends, Television, and Movies Have Shaped Our Society, Changed Our Behavior, and Set the Course of History

Sacred Literature of Islam

The Qur'an (sometimes seen as Koran): The Holy Book of Islam

Additional sources of wisdom: Sunnah and Hadith The Hadith is the collection of sayings, teachings, and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. They were recorded by his followers.

The Sunnah is the example of leadership, belief, and guidance provided by the life and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. For Muslims, it transforms belief in God into a culture and a civilization, allowing a way of life.

The Five Pillars of Islam:

Defining terms: shahadah, salat, zakat, sawm, hajj

Beliefnet: The Five Pillars- This is an easy introduction to the Five Pillars and their meanings in Islam.

A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam: This site also provides an introduction to the Five Pillars.

DO THIS: Choose either of the two sources and introduce yourself to the Five Pillars. You and a partner will be responsible for selecting one of the pillars to present in class. Look for Internet resources, check the books I have, etc.