A Journey to A Journey to The Middle EastThe Middle East

Perceptions of IslamPerceptions of Islam

True or False: There are more True or False: There are more Muslims worldwide than Catholics. Muslims worldwide than Catholics.

A) TrueA) True

B) FalseB) FalseAnswer: Answer:

A) TrueA) True

There are 1.3 billion Muslims worldwide and There are 1.3 billion Muslims worldwide and only 1.115 billion Catholics. However, there only 1.115 billion Catholics. However, there are currently over 2 billion Christians who are currently over 2 billion Christians who represent the world’s largest religious group.represent the world’s largest religious group.http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=57525http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=57525

Islam can best be defined as:Islam can best be defined as:A) monotheisticA) monotheistic

B) polytheisticB) polytheistic

C) atheisticC) atheistic

D) paganD) pagan

Answer: Answer:

A) monotheisticA) monotheistic

Muslims believe that Allah is the one Muslims believe that Allah is the one and only God, and is indivisible.and only God, and is indivisible.

True or False: True or False: The Qur’an teaches that war (or jihad) The Qur’an teaches that war (or jihad) must be fought in order to bring Islam, must be fought in order to bring Islam,

the “pure” religion, to the world.the “pure” religion, to the world.

A) TrueA) True

B) FalseB) FalseAnswer:Answer:

B) FalseB) False

The Qur’an teaches that The Qur’an teaches that war should be fought only war should be fought only in self-defense and within in self-defense and within strict limits. strict limits.

What is the actual meaning of What is the actual meaning of the word Jihad?the word Jihad?

A) to striveA) to strive C) to conquerC) to conquer

B) obligationB) obligation D) heavenlyD) heavenly

Answer: Answer: A) The word Jihad stems from the Arabic root A) The word Jihad stems from the Arabic root word J-H-D, which means "strive." Other words derived word J-H-D, which means "strive." Other words derived from this root include "effort," "labor," and "fatigue." from this root include "effort," "labor," and "fatigue." Essentially Essentially JihadJihad is an effort to practice religion in the face is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart, or in standing up to a fighting the evil in your own heart, or in standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included as an option, but as a dictator. Military effort is included as an option, but as a last resort and not "to spread Islam by the sword" as the last resort and not "to spread Islam by the sword" as the stereotype would have one believe.stereotype would have one believe.

True or False: True or False: Muslims believe that Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet.Jesus was a prophet.

A) TrueA) True

B) FalseB) False

Answer: Answer:

A) True. Muslims respect and revere A) True. Muslims respect and revere Jesus, “upon him be peace,” and Jesus, “upon him be peace,” and await his Second Coming.await his Second Coming.

““People of the Book”People of the Book”

MMuslims believe that God had previously revealed Himself uslims believe that God had previously revealed Himself to the earlier prophets of the Jews and Christians, such as to the earlier prophets of the Jews and Christians, such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muslims therefore accept the Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muslims therefore accept the teachings of both the Jewish Torah and the Christian teachings of both the Jewish Torah and the Christian Gospels. They believe that Islam is the perfection of the Gospels. They believe that Islam is the perfection of the religion revealed first to Abraham (who is considered the religion revealed first to Abraham (who is considered the first Muslim) and later to other prophets. Muslims believe first Muslim) and later to other prophets. Muslims believe that Jews and Christians have strayed from God's true faith that Jews and Christians have strayed from God's true faith but hold them in higher esteem than pagans and but hold them in higher esteem than pagans and unbelievers. They call Jews and Christians the "People of unbelievers. They call Jews and Christians the "People of the Book" and allow them to practice their own religions. the Book" and allow them to practice their own religions. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the "seal of the Muslims believe that Muhammad is the "seal of the prophecy," by which they mean that he is the last in the prophecy," by which they mean that he is the last in the series of prophets God sent to mankind. series of prophets God sent to mankind.

True or False: True or False: Muslims worship Muslims worship Muhammad as the Muhammad as the founder of Islam.founder of Islam.

A) TrueA) True

B) FalseB) False

Answer:Answer: B) False. While Muhammad was chosen to deliver B) False. While Muhammad was chosen to deliver the message, he is not considered the "founder" of the message, he is not considered the "founder" of Islam; Muslims believe all the prophets from Adam, Islam; Muslims believe all the prophets from Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus etc. were sent with divine guidance Noah, Moses, Jesus etc. were sent with divine guidance for their peoples. Every prophet was sent to his own for their peoples. Every prophet was sent to his own people, but Muhammad was sent to all of mankind. people, but Muhammad was sent to all of mankind. Muhammad is the last and final messenger sent to Muhammad is the last and final messenger sent to deliver the message of Islam. Muslims revere and honor deliver the message of Islam. Muslims revere and honor him for all he went through, but they do not worship him.him for all he went through, but they do not worship him.

What is the meaning of the What is the meaning of the name of the religion, Islam?name of the religion, Islam?

A) Allah is almightyA) Allah is almighty

B) We will be savedB) We will be saved

C) Peace and submissionC) Peace and submission

D) We will prevailD) We will prevailAnswer: Answer:

C) Peace and submission. Islam teaches that C) Peace and submission. Islam teaches that one can only find peace in one's life by one can only find peace in one's life by submitting to Almighty God (Allah) in heart, submitting to Almighty God (Allah) in heart, soul and deed. soul and deed.

True or False: Islam teaches True or False: Islam teaches that men and women are equal that men and women are equal in the eyes of Allah. in the eyes of Allah.

Answer:Answer:

A) True. The Qur’an clearly teaches A) True. The Qur’an clearly teaches that a woman is a full-person that a woman is a full-person under the law, and is the spiritual under the law, and is the spiritual equal of a male. equal of a male.

A) True or B) FalseA) True or B) False

More on Islam and Women…More on Islam and Women… Violence of any kind towards women and Violence of any kind towards women and

forcing them against their will for forcing them against their will for anything is not allowed.anything is not allowed.

Polygamy is neither mandatory, nor Polygamy is neither mandatory, nor encouraged, but merely permitted.encouraged, but merely permitted.

Once the man and woman are married, Once the man and woman are married, the man is required to clothe, feed, the man is required to clothe, feed, shelter and educate her (or allow her to shelter and educate her (or allow her to be educated) in the same manner as he be educated) in the same manner as he does himself.does himself. http://www.submission.info/perspectives/women/equality.html

What is the estimated year when What is the estimated year when Islam will become the most widely Islam will become the most widely

practiced world religion?practiced world religion?

A) 2016A) 2016

B) 2023B) 2023

C) 2035C) 2035

D) 2048D) 2048

Answer:Answer:

B) 2023 (a little over 10 years from B) 2023 (a little over 10 years from right now!!!)right now!!!)