Islam Muhammad, Sunni, Shiite, and America There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet. Allah= what Christians would call God Muhammad= the main prophet of the Islamic faith Christians see Jesus as the main prophet of God, BUT Muhammad was NOT Allahs son. Jesus is a prophet in Islam and Judaism, but NOT believed to be the son of God. Islam: Basics Islam- the name of the religion Muslim- someone who practices Islam Someone called an Arab is not necessarily a Muslim. Arab is a cultural group sharing language and culture Quran: Holy book of Islam Ramadan- the holy month There is no hierarchy in Islam Unlike Christianity and Judaism All Muslims believe in 5 essential things. This is the foundation of their belief system The 5 Pillars of Faith I. Shahadah: Testimony of faith There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. II. Salat: Prayer Prayer 5 times per day (varies for Shiite Muslims) Face direction of Mecca, Saudi Arabia (holy city) III. Sawm: Fasting No eating or drinking during daylight hours for the month of Ramadan Ramadan is the holy month The 5 Pillars of Faith IV. Zakaat: Alms giving (giving to the poor) All Muslims give a fixed amount of $ every year to the poor (2.5% of income) Purpose- to create equality among Muslims and to purify wealth Wealth is an evil thing! V. Hajj- Muhammads Pilgrimage Making a pilgrimage (trip) to Mecca at least once during a life time Purpose is to become closer to God and create equality Occurs during the last month of the Islamic Calendar. Re-creation of Abrahams journey to Mecca Prophet of God in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism Hajj to Mecca Mecca Millions of Muslims make the Hajj yearly They Come from all over the world Mecca becomes the most populated city in the world during this time It is a Holy journey and violence is not tolerated Sunni Muslim vs. Shiite Muslim Sunni and Shiite are different sects of Islam, just as Catholics and Protestants are different sects of Christianity Shiite=Shia The two groups have political and spiritual differences How Did the Division Start? Muhammad, Islams main prophet, died Who would take over the leadership of the Muslim faith? Abu Bakr, Muhammads close friend and advisor, was selected to the leader of the Islamic nation Known as a caliph- spiritual and political leader Most Muslims agreed with the selection of Abu Bakr, however some disagreed and believed the new caliph should be a relative of Muhammad (tied to bloodline) Sunni vs. Shiite Those who disagreed with Abu Bakrs selection felt that Muhammads cousin, Ali, should have been selected as caliph They believed that Muhammad himself told Ali he would take over as leader on his death bed Sunni= one who follows the traditions of the Prophet Supported Abu Bakr Shiite= the Party of Ali, or People of the Household of the Prophet Supported Ali Sunni vs. Shiite Shiite Muslims believe caliphs should be from the bloodline of Muhammad Today therefore, they DO NOT recognize the leaders of their own countries as caliphs! Sunnis do support the leaders of their countries as caliphs. Everyday Differences Sunnis and Shiites share the same basic beliefs and practice religion in the same way. Slight differences occur in: Praying Fasting Pilgrimage 85% of the Muslim world is Sunni 10% of Muslim world Shiite Iraq has a large population of Shiite Muslims, but Sunnis are the majority Iran is the only majority Shiite country in the world Map of Sunni and Shiite Nations Why Does It Matter? Terrible violence between Sunnis and Shiites has occurred for hundreds of years and is still occurring today! Civil war in Iraq between Sunnis/Shiites after US occupation Afghanistan control and support of US invasion divided between Sunni and Shiite Muslims Afghanistan Terms Pashtun- majority of people in Afghanistan. Considered native to Afghanistan Sunni Muslims Hazara- minority of people in Afghanistan Shiite Muslims Seen as outsiders, not native Taliban Extremist Sunni Muslims Ruled Afghanistan since 1996 Overthrown with US invasion Leading current insurgency against NATO forces Islam in America First Muslims arrived with Spanish Came as slaves Many African slaves were Muslim Brought from Muslim regions of Africa Nation of Islam Established in 1930 African-American specific organization Islam in America Cont. Malcolm X Radical leader of NOI Spoke out against racism Race war!!! Change in Views Made Hajj Saw many different races Came back changed Assassinated by NOI Not following radical ideas Islam in America Cont. Cassius Clay Pro boxer Converts to Islam Joins NOI Changes name to Muhammad Ali Vietnam Refuses to draft Convicted Not allowed to fight Later pardoned Missed best years of his career Islam in America Today Currently there are 5-7 million Muslims in America 9-11 Muslims were killed in the Twin Towers Many are immigrants Many have also converted Peaceful religion But like all, radicals have hurt the image of Islam Distribution of Muslims in America Where They Come From