Click on the Note you need.  Clicking on my dog, Zoë, brings you back to the top of this page.

READ EVERYTHING, watch the embedded videos, and COMPLETE ALL STEPS! You can't learn what you need otherwise -- INCLUDING ITEMS THAT ARE PART OF YOUR GRADE!

Look for Step-by-Step directions on this page highlighted in Yellow!

Step 1: Read History of Islam in your text pp 188-195 and read/answer the following:

189-1.     List some countries in which large numbers of Muslims can be found.

 189-2.    Why is it important to study Islam? What ideas can you draw from the information in this section?

 191-1.     Describe the culture into which Muhammad was born.

191-2.     What were the key events in Muhammad's early life?

191-3.     Why might someone become known as a righteous or trustworthy person during Muhammad's time?

193-1.     Why did Muhammad leave Mecca?

193-2.     What message did Muhammad give at his final sermon?

193-3.     How did Muhammad establish Islam as the dominant religion in Arabia?

193-5.     Is violence in pursuit of justice ever justified? Explain.

 193-6.    What values of Muhammad's do you admire? Why? 

195-1.     What are the origins of the differences between Sunni and Sh'ite Muslims?

 195-2.   What were some significant events in Muslim history after Muhammad's death? Explain your choice of events.

MUST BE COMPLETED BY DUE DATE: ____________________

Step 2: Read the Rituals of Islam in your text pp 196-200 and read/answer the following:

200-1.    Imagine that you must explain the importance of the Five Pillars to a friend who knows very little about Islam. What key points would you like your friend to understand?

 200-2.    What challenges does living as a practicing Muslim pose for someone living in our world?

 200-3.    If you were to go on pilgrimage, where would you go? Why?

MUST BE COMPLETED BY DUE DATE: ____________________

Step 3: Read about the Muslim Community and the Five Pillars in your text pp 200-213 and read/answer the following:

204-1.    What are the important features of the Eid al-Fitr?

204-2.    How do Muslim life-cycle rituals link Muslims with Muhammad and the Qur'an?

207-1.    How is a mosque different from a church?

207-2.    Describe the Friday prayer.

207-3.    What is the role of the imam?

207-5.    What makes a place of worship an inviting space for prayer and ritual?

 207-6.   Muslims hold prayers on Friday. Jewish people observe the Sabbath on Saturday. Christians worship on Sunday. What are the benefits of setting aside time for spiritual activities?

211-1.    In your own words, describe the main themes and messages of the Qur'an.

211-2.    How is the Muslim concept of Allah similar to the Christian concept of God? How is it different?

211-3.    How is the Qur'an similar to scriptures from other faiths, for example, the Torah and the Bible? How is it different? 

213-1.    How do Muslims see Jesus?

MUST BE COMPLETED BY DUE DATE: ____________________

Step 4: Read about Muslim Morality and Family Life in your text pp 214-222 and read/answer the following:

216-1.    What are the sources of shariah?

 216-2.    How is shariah put into practice?

 216-3.    What is a fatwa and when is it issued?

 216-4.    How far should Canada go to accommodate the culture and traditions of immigrants? Should, for example, some elements of shariah law be allowed in Canada? Why or why not? Be prepared to argue your view in front of the class.

 216-5.    What are the most important moral laws that you follow?

 219-1.    What is the role of the family for Muslims?

 219-5.   Do you believe that Muslim women should be able to wear the hijab, abaya, chador, or burka in public in Canada? Why or why not?

 222-2.    What is the purpose of Muslim dietary laws?

 222-3.    How are Muslim teachings on sexuality similar to Catholic teachings? How are they different?

MUST BE COMPLETED BY DUE DATE: ____________________

Last Step:

Islam - Introductory Points

Islam is the largest religion in the world.

Islam is also the fastest growing religious tradition in the world.

Islam came on the world scene in the 7^th century.

Those people who follow this tradition are called Muslims, which means "one who submits to the will of God".

Islam is a monotheistic religion because they only believe in one God.

Muslims believe that all of life is sacred therefore there should be no separation between the secular and the sacred.

 

Crescent Moon: Symbol of Islam?

The crescent moon and star is an internationally-recognized symbol of the faith of Islam.  The symbol is featured on the flags of several Muslim countries, and is even part of the official emblem for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.  The Christians have the cross, the Jews have the Star of David, and the Muslims have the crescent moon, right?

What is the history behind the crescent moon symbol?  What does it symbolize or mean?  How and when did it become associated with the faith of Islam?  Is it a valid symbol for the faith?

The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years.  Information on the origins of the symbol are difficult to ascertain, but most sources agree that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods.  There are also reports that the crescent moon and star were used to represent the Carthaginian goddess Tanit or the Greek goddess Diana.

The city of Byzantium (later known as Constantinople and Istanbul) adopted the crescent moon symbol.  According to some reports, they chose it in honor of the goddess Diana.  Others indicate that it dates back to a battle in which the Romans defeated the Goths on the first day of a lunar month.  In any event, the crescent moon was featured on the city's flag even before the birth of Christ.

The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol.  During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Islamic armies and caravans flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes.  In later generations, the Muslim leaders continued to use a simple black, white, or green flag with no markings, writing, or symbolism on it.

It wasn't until the Ottoman Empire that the crescent moon and star became affiliated with the Muslim world.  When the Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, they adopted the city's existing flag and symbol.  Legend holds that the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman, had a dream in which the crescent moon stretched from one end of the earth to the other.  Taking this as a good omen, he chose to keep the crescent and make it the symbol of his dynasty.  There is speculation that the five points on the star represent the five pillars of Islam, but this is pure conjecture.  The five points were not standard on the Ottoman flags, and as you will see on the following page, it is still not standard on flags used in the Muslim world today.

For hundreds of years, the Ottoman Empire ruled over the Muslim world.  After centuries of battle with Christian Europe, it is understandable how the symbols of this empire became linked in people's minds with the faith of Islam as a whole.

Based on this history, many Muslims reject using the crescent moon as a symbol of Islam.  The faith of Islam has historically had no symbol, and many refuse to accept what is essentially an ancient pagan icon.  It is certainly not in uniform use among Muslims.