Memoir by one of the first black American Muslims in American government, Congressman Keith Ellison relates elements from his life and the historical and cultural context in which he grew up and became engaged with politics and social justice.
Illustrated story from the Nazi occupation of Paris during World War II, when Jews and their families found refuge in the Grand Mosque of Paris complex, where they were protected along with escaped prisoners of war and other groups under persecution or pursuit, including children
Panel discussion with local residents of State College PA who are Muslims, discussing their experiences as Muslims. See also link to Atlanta Journal-Constitution at https://www.ajc.com/news/national/muslims-america-the-numbers/tJI0VhrVWDYQ1wCplHjozK/
An extensive set of lesson plans and narratives written for the education of Muslims, published in Australia. Limited use for teaching about Islamic basics, but possibly a good primary source on contemporary issues around Islamic education for Muslims, and debates about what it means to be a Muslim in the contemporary world.
Bibliography of well-reviewed, award winning and useful books for librarians and educators on Islam and Muslims, a variety of genres and age levels
Story of fencing champion Ibtijaj Muhammad and her struggle as a woman and a Muslim in the high-powered world of Olympic-level competition.
Story of Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani education activist who survived an attack and went on to global renown as a champion for girls’ education
Women’s Rights and Marriage in Islam: This lesson helps students contextualize the film’s content about women’s rights, including those pertaining to marriage and divorce. Students compare Islamic teachings and ideals with the practice of Muslims in various cultural and national settings. For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS or as standalone lesson on the topic.
World History For Us All Era 5 pf the World History For Us All online curriculum features Islamic history, especially in the Panorama lesson in brief form, in Landscape 5.2 Islam and Afroeurasia and 5.3 Consolidation of the Trans-Hemispheric Network, and later eras, such as Landscape 6.7 The Long Reach of the Major Religions include lessons as relevant to pre-modern and modern history.
The Geography and Cultures of Muslim Countries: This lesson features hands-on projects for students that help them learn about the Muslim country of their choice. Students collaborate to conceptualize an informational website and television commercial for a given country. Alternatives include preparing a speech at the UN and designing a pamphlet about a chosen country. For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS or as standalone lesson.
The Masjid in the American Landscape: Civic Rights: this lesson focuses on the segment of the film dealing with Muslims seeking to build a masjid (mosque) in Palos Heights, IL. Students explore the relevant civic issues and rights, and consider the role of interfaith dialogue as a means to achieve greater understanding between groups of Americans. For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS or as standalone lesson.
The Sultan and the Saint film by Unity Productions Foundation tells one of the great, lost stories from history. Set in a past period of East-West conflict, it speaks with urgency to our present. Two men of faith, one a traveling Christian preacher, the other the ruler of a Muslim Empire, bucked a century of war, distrust, and insidious propaganda in a search for mutual respect and common ground. It is the story of Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt, and their meeting on a bloody battlefield during the period of Christian- Muslim conflict known as the Crusades. Curriculum with extensive lesson plans can be downloaded as a pdf at https://georgetown.box.com/s/pvuoyth1x17o7kqsstbols6wmn0d787g.