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Islam-From Arabia to America Inder Pal Singh This presentation was done as a part of honors seminar: for Culture Diversity in the United States. Introductory objectives A brief history of the Islam A brief history of the Muslims in the United States Concerns of the Muslims residing in Northwest Arkansas World before the rise of the Islam Arabs were tribal people who lived life herding camels, sheep or goats Most of the Arabs were polytheists They used to worship natural objects such as the sun, rocks, and trees, which is a form of animism. Mecca and Medina were the major cities for long distance trade and would become important Islamic centers or communities. Arabs started gaining military power after 300 B.C. Prophet Mohammad (570-632) Born at Mecca in a tribal Koraysh family. He earned his early reputation as a skilled arbitrator of disputes. Believed in one god named Allah Thought he was a messenger of god He formulated the messages in the Koran, believed to be divinely inspired and holy. Word Allah written in Arabic Shia Islam Followers of Ali were known as the Shia(partisans) of Ali Ali was Mohammad’s cousin and son-in law Shias believe that only the descendants of Ali entitled to rule the Muslim community Iran and Iraq are Shia dominant countries Sunni Islam Sunna means the way or the example of prophet Mohammad In contrast to the Shias, the Sunnis believe that the leadership is in the hands of the Muslim community at large Sunnis form the majority in Middle East and the Islamic world Sharia(Islamic law) Muslims consider Sharia as universal law and equally applied for everyone Sharia provides system of government, legal, and social system According to sharia no priesthood or intermediaries between people and God is allowed Muslims believe Sharia as a law established by Allah Sharia is believed to be greater than human reason Muslim men can marry women from another religion but Muslim women are forbidden to marry non Muslim men A religious leader preaching Sharia to the followers Qur`an Qur`an is at the center of Muslim life Qur`an is made up of 114 chapters called Suras The first chapter is called al-Fatiha(the opening) Muslims recite al-Fatiha during each of the five daily prayers. Students reciting Qur`an Spread of Islam by Mohammad. Intially only Mohammad’s close family members accepts Islam. In 622 he moved from Mecca to Medina(Hijra) He expelled jews from Medina in 625. He conquered Mecca with the help of his followers in 630. Mohammad dies in 632. Mecca The holiest site of Muslims. Al-Masjid Al-Haram (The Sacred Mosque) as the holiest place on Earth. Center of Muslim pilgrimage. Non Muslims are not allowed to enter. Shrine of Kaaba. Kaaba A cube shaped, one room stone structure Holiest place in Mecca Believed to be built by Abraham and Ishmael Kaaba is the House of God for Muslims Muslims face towards kaaba during pray. Medina Second holiest city of Islam. Only Muslims can enter. Mohammad settled there after Hijra. Shrine of Mohammad(AlMasjid an-Nabawi) Muslim visit this mosque during pilgrimage. Five pillars of Islam Shahada or kalima(pronouncing the confession of faith) Salat( performing the five daily prayers) Saum( fasting during the month of Ramadan) Zakat( paying the alms tax) Hajj(performing at least once in life, the major pilgrimage to Mecca) Jihad The word in Arabic means, to struggle or to exhaust one’s effort in order to please God Some Muslims consider it as sixth pillar of Islam Personal Jihad Verbal Jihad Physical Jihad Madrasa Islamic religious school A Madrasa is a place for learning and prayer Madrasa(religious seminary) was first introduced in eastern Iran during middle ages Talibans(Students) originated from Madrasas. A Taliban leader teaching students in Madrasa Islam in the United States Muslim migration began in 1893 First mosque was build in 1915 African Americans are in majority among the Muslims in the United States Total Muslim population in the United States is between four to six million Most of the American Muslims entitle themselves as Sunni Muslims Muslims during Slavery Muslims constituted at least fifteen percent of slave population during 18th and 19th centuries. West African Muslims were first to brought Islamic believes to the United States Slaves’ ethnic roots could be traced to ancient black Islamic kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Muslims slaves could not preserve their faith and eventually their version of Islam disappeared after their death Nation of Islam A religious and socio political organization. Founded by Wallace Fard Muhammad in 1930. Aim of resurrection of black men and women. Large number of blacks converted to Islam. Fard Muhammad Symbol of Nation of Islam Current issues of Muslims Attacks on Muslims after the incidence of 9/11. Attack on various Muslim nations. Stereotyping Muslims as being terrorists. Fundamentalism in some countries. Issue of oil. Muslims in Northwest Arkansas Most of the interviewees moved here very recently. They mostly use their mother tongue to communicate with their children. According to them the most important aspect of Islam is oneness of the god. They read Koran at least once a week. They believe that personal Jihad is the most important among the other categories of Jihad. They all try to follow five pillars of Islam. Muslims in Northwest Arkansas Muslim parents agree that their children are losing some traditional values. The children are not as enthusiastic as their parents to visit mosque. Parents do not teach religion to their children in very fundamental way Women have equal rights as of their husbands.