This document provides an introduction to Islam, including key beliefs and practices. It explains that Islam is the fastest growing religion worldwide with over 1.2 billion followers, including a growing population in the US. The five pillars of Islam are outlined as the basic guidelines for Muslims: profession of faith, ritual worship, alms, fasting, and pilgrimage. The different branches of Islam like Sunni and Shia are also mentioned. Violence and terrorism are stated to not be supported by the Quran. The origins of Islam and the life of the prophet Muhammad are briefly described. Locations where Islam is commonly practiced and the basic design of mosques are outlined.

1. Introduction to Islam

2. Why Should We Know About It?
fastest growing faith in the world---1.2 billion followers
third largest faith in the United States and growing...
U.S. government is spending millions to fight wars in Islamic
countries
Time to end stereotypes and misconceptions!

3. Key Terms
Islam = submission or devotion to God
Muslim = one who submits to God (Allah)
jihad
Quran
sunnah
ummah
caliph
imam

4. What do they believe?
Five Pillars = basic guidelines for followers
1. Shahadah = Profession of faith
2. Salat = Ritual Worship
3. Zakat = alms
4. Sawm = Fasting
5. Hajj = Pilgrimage

5. Different Branches of Islam
Sunni
Shia, Shii, Shi’ite Shiite (Wahhabi)
Sufi (whirling dervishes)

6. What they do NOT support
• random violence or terrorism
•fundamentalists
• Wahhabi Islam----------->
Qu’ran clearly states violence must
be proportional to the threat

7. Who Started It?
Muhammad
• “the praised one”
•brief bio
•preaches around 613 C.E.
•initial reaction
• unintentional revolutionary
http://z.about.com/d/atheism/1/0/x/e/MuhammadTeaching.jpg

8. The Qu’ran, Quran or Koran
means “to recite”
114 chapters or suras which are
divided into verses
in Arabic = language of God
contests

9. What do they believe about the af terlife?
God judges *individuals* from the Book of Deeds
Heaven: mansion w/garden, rivers, and beautiful ppl
Hell: endless pain, suffering and torment

10. Where did it start?
Story of Abraham and Sarah
Old Testament and Quran
Islam and Judaism are cousins
Muhammad was born in Mecca

11. Where is it practiced?
Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and the United States
***the ummah***

12. Where do they worship?
the mosque: religious center,
school and sometimes a court
no pictures, statues or
images on the walls
inscriptions
2,000+ mosques in the U.S.
niche
sinks
separation of genders

13. Similarities to Christianity
monotheism some Muslims support
saints
believe in Abraham,J.C.*,
Mary, Moses and Adam judgement day
different branches weekly holy day
eternal Heaven and Hell “people of the book”
angels (2 per person!) God’s #1 attention
extremists