Islam

Newest of the Major Western Religions

Symbol Crescent moon and

star

Followers Called Muslims Second largest religion (1.3 billion people) after

Christianity (2 billion people) Rapidly growing

Located in The Middle East North Africa Southeast Asia

Founded by Muhammad in 600 AD in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia

Developed out of Judaism and Christianity Archangel Gabriel gave Muhammad a

message Jesus and Moses are Muslim prophets

Koran (Qur’an)= holy book

Allah = name of god

Mosque = Muslim place of worship

Minarets = towers on the mosque

Friday = holy day

Imam = title of the preacher

Five Pillars of Islam

Faith: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger”

Prayer: pray five times a day facing Mecca Alms: give money to poor Fasting: not eating during the day during the month

of Ramadan Pilgrimage: Journey to Mecca to go around the

Kaaba seven times

Government and church are the same Their

constitution is the Koran

Allowed four wives

Cannot eat pork or drink alcohol

Women wear veils and some wear burkas

Jihad = holy war

• Koran says to make war on the infidel (non-believers)

• If you die in a jihad, you will go to heaven

Two branches of Islam

Sunnis: 90% less strict Shiites: 10% very strict, especially to women

Iran Iraq Afghanistan