Geography OverviewGeography Overview Unit of StudyUnit of Study

Middle EastMiddle East

Country: Country: Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia

Cities: Cities: Mecca and Medina Mecca and Medina

The Story of Muhammad The Story of Muhammad (as understood my Mr. P)(as understood my Mr. P)While escaping it all in a local cave, Muhammad was told to While escaping it all in a local cave, Muhammad was told to “recite” the word of God (Allah) from an angel named Gabriel. “recite” the word of God (Allah) from an angel named Gabriel. This ability would make him a prophet, or messenger of god. This ability would make him a prophet, or messenger of god. Upon his return home, as you can imagine, many thought he was Upon his return home, as you can imagine, many thought he was crazy. The idea of a single God, or monotheism, was defiant of crazy. The idea of a single God, or monotheism, was defiant of the accepted belief by neighboring tribes and leaders that there the accepted belief by neighboring tribes and leaders that there were many gods (polytheism). These tribes believed in were many gods (polytheism). These tribes believed in worshiping idols that represented the gods, some leaders even worshiping idols that represented the gods, some leaders even sold the idols in Mecca. Muhammad fled to Medina.sold the idols in Mecca. Muhammad fled to Medina.Still, by leading through positive example, slowly he gained Still, by leading through positive example, slowly he gained followers. Eventually Islam would spread throughout the Arabian followers. Eventually Islam would spread throughout the Arabian peninsula and throughout most of the middle east. He returned peninsula and throughout most of the middle east. He returned to Meeca, which is a holy city today. His revelations of the word to Meeca, which is a holy city today. His revelations of the word of Allah were recorded in the Qu’ran (holybook of Islam). Today, of Allah were recorded in the Qu’ran (holybook of Islam). Today, Islam is the second largest religion in the world. There are 1.200 Islam is the second largest religion in the world. There are 1.200 billion muslims in the world according to, CAIR (Council on billion muslims in the world according to, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic relations).American-Islamic relations).

Five Pillar IntroductionFive Pillar Introduction After Muhammad’s death companions After Muhammad’s death companions

desired to maintain an Islamic community.desired to maintain an Islamic community. Muhammad’s companions recorded all of his Muhammad’s companions recorded all of his

revelations into Koran (Qur’an), & his life revelations into Koran (Qur’an), & his life practices in the Sunna (Sunnah-The Haddith practices in the Sunna (Sunnah-The Haddith interpreted)interpreted)

Sunna and Koran provide rules and daily life Sunna and Koran provide rules and daily life practices for all Muslims to live bypractices for all Muslims to live by

Most basic rules of the Sunna and Koran are Most basic rules of the Sunna and Koran are in the Five Pillars in the Five Pillars

Pillar 1: Allah, Profession of Pillar 1: Allah, Profession of Faith Faith

There is only one God (Allah) and There is only one God (Allah) and Muhammad is his Prophet Muhammad is his Prophet

Pillar 2: PraysPillar 2: Prays States number of times a Muslims States number of times a Muslims

should pray. should pray. Five timesFive times: : dawn, noon, mid-dawn, noon, mid-

afternoon, sunset, and darkafternoon, sunset, and dark

Pillar 3: Poor, Almsgiving Pillar 3: Poor, Almsgiving (Zakat) (Zakat)

Islam recognizes that material things Islam recognizes that material things are important are important

So, 2½% of a Muslims annual income So, 2½% of a Muslims annual income goes to the poor. goes to the poor. ($40,000=$1,000 a ($40,000=$1,000 a year)year)

Pillar 4: Hungry People, Pillar 4: Hungry People, RamadanRamadan

From Sunrise to Sunset no food or From Sunrise to Sunset no food or drinks during the holy month of drinks during the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan.

Ramadan is from September 1, 2008- Ramadan is from September 1, 2008- September 29, 2008.September 29, 2008.

Pillar 5: In Mecca, Pilgrimage Pillar 5: In Mecca, Pilgrimage (hajj)(hajj)

Those Muslims who are physically Those Muslims who are physically and economically able…and economically able…

Must at Must at one timeone time during their lifetime during their lifetime make a pilgrimage to Mecca. make a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Daily Life of MuslimsDaily Life of Muslims Both the Qu’ran and Sunna cover all aspects of Both the Qu’ran and Sunna cover all aspects of

muslim life from diet, marriage, divorce, muslim life from diet, marriage, divorce, business contracts even how to clean your business contracts even how to clean your teeth!!!teeth!!!

Muslims may not drink alcohol, eat pork or Muslims may not drink alcohol, eat pork or gamble.gamble.

Some Characterize life as a struggle to “resist Some Characterize life as a struggle to “resist evil temptations”evil temptations”

The Qu’ran prohibits women to marry non-The Qu’ran prohibits women to marry non-muslimsmuslims

Homework ExampleHomework Example Dear Jamal,Dear Jamal,

One day my husband was home working on a new One day my husband was home working on a new shield, and I was cooking dinner. When it was time to shield, and I was cooking dinner. When it was time to pray, I kneeled on my mat and started to bow, but still pray, I kneeled on my mat and started to bow, but still my husbands pounding hammer. What should I do?my husbands pounding hammer. What should I do?-Prayer Disturbed-Prayer Disturbed

Dear Prayer disturbed,Dear Prayer disturbed, I think you should make sure your husband prays I think you should make sure your husband prays

or he may make a habit of not praying. If he continues or he may make a habit of not praying. If he continues not to pray, inform a holyman.not to pray, inform a holyman.-Jamal-Jamal