Ch. 11 Vocabulary Terms

1. Oasis: A small area in the desert watered by springs and wells.

2. Sheikh: The head of an Arab tribe.

3. Caravan: A group of traveling merchants and animals.

4. Quran: The holy book of Islam.

5. Kaaba: A shrine in the middle of Makkah, containing a great stone, which was believed to be built by Abraham.

6. Bedouin: A desert herder who traveled from oasis to oasis.

7. Caliph: Successor to Muhammad as political and religious leader of the Muslims.

8. Shiite: Followers of Islam who believe that Muhammad’s son-in-law was his rightful successor.

9. Sunni: Followers of Islam who accepted the Umayyad Dynasty as Muhammad’s rightful successors.

10. Sultan: Title for a Muslim ruler. 11. Sufis: Muslim mystics who sought

communion with God by praying, fasting, and teaching the faith.

12. Mosque: Muslim house of worship.

13. Bazaar: An open air market with shops and goods for sale.

14. Minaret: A slender tower of a mosque, from which Muslims are called to prayer.

15. Crier: An announcer who calls Muslim believers to prayer five times a day.

16. Pilgrimage: A journey to a sacred place or shrine.

17. Hijrah: Muhammad’s flight from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D.

18. Haijj: Pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetimes.

19. Nomad: A member of a group that has no fixed home and moves from place to place.

20. Idol: An image used as an object of worship.

21. Sunna: Traditional Islamic law observed by orthodox Muslims, based on the teachings of Muhammad.

22. Shar’iah: Laws that regulate moral conduct, family life, business practices and government

23. Jihad: An inner struggle to achieve spiritual peace or a battle in defense of Islam.

24. Dome of the Rock: The most revered site in Jerusalem.

25. Mecca: The birthplace of Muhammad.