THE STORY OF ISLAMChapter 6 #1

ISLAM IN CANADA

Islam among the fastest-growing religions in Canada

Canadian Muslims come from: India, Pakistan, Arab & Middle East countries…

Usually in urban centres 61% in ON

WHY IS IT CHALLENGING TO BE A MUSLIM IN CANADA?

Media portrays Islam in a negative way, especially since Sept. 11, 2001

This is important: THE GOODNESS & WISDOM OF ISLAM CAN CONTRIBUTE TO CANADIAN & GLOBAL CULTURE

ISLAM AROUND THE WORLD

1.5 billion Muslims worldwide Only Christianity has more followers Muslims: from diverse places in the world, and

have diverse practices Africans from Nigeria, Arabs from Iraq, Asians

from Pakistan & Indonesia…

ORIGINS OF ISLAM: MUHAMMAD, MECCA

Muhammad b. in Mecca, 570 Jews, Christians, polytheistic tribes lived in Mecca Kaaba: a cube-shaped structure that held 360 deities

was the focus of an annual pilgrimage 630 CE Muhammad cleansed it of deities, now the

house of Allah (directly below God’s throne)

MUHAMMAD’S EARLY LIFE

Parents died when he was young Raised by uncle, who was a trader, travelled

through much of Arabia and area As a trader, earned the titles: “the trustworthy

one” & “the righteous one”

MUHAMMAD RECEIVES THE QUR’AN

The inequalities of Meccan society troubled Muhammad

He believed in one God, 610 C.E., received a revelation on Mount Hira

MUHAMMAD’S REVELATION ON MOUNT HIRA

Angel Gabriel, gave the direct words of Allah to Muhammad so he could remember the exact words later

Muhammad received revelations until he died in 632 CE

The sayings: recorded in the Qur’an

MUHAMMAD STRUGGLES IN MECCA

1st convert: Muhammad’s 1st wife, Khadijah Few converts between 610 and 622 CE “God is one, all must surrender to Allah

alone, Muhammad was the messenger of Allah”

Merchants of Mecca, did not welcome this message: Their business depended on pilgrims Muhammad’s life in danger

HIJRA

622 CE, People of Medina offered Muhammad protection, leading his people there This migration (“Flight”) aka, hijra

Muhammad lived in Medina the rest of his life

The community was governed by his revelations