Islam
David MacCaulay’s book Mosque in the architecture series features the work of famous Turkish archictect in Ottoma Istanbul Mosque. View a readaloud version by MrPsWorldHistory at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EjXYMMZg2U. See also for comparison of sacred and secular architecture, by the same author/architect, Cathedral, Castle, City, Pyramid, and others. See also animated films of same names.
A beautifully illustrated guide to a mosque from the Ottoman period by famous architect Sinan. Online version to borrow from OpenLibrary
Description of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and its celebration, and the Eid al-Fitr or Feast of the Sacrifice. Elementary level.
The Center for South Asian and Middle East Studies features the elementary level book in a lesson plan on Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and its celebration, Celebrating_Ramadan.
Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet tells the story of a man who changed the world 1,400 years ago and now lives in the United States through the lives of the millions of Americans who regard him as God’s prophet. It travels in the footsteps of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad to the Arabian Desert and the holy city of Mecca where Muhammad’s story unfolded. But the film does not just stay in the past. Much of its story is told through the observations of contemporary American Muslims, including a fireman at the World Trade Center on September 11th, a second generation Arab-American family building a community based on Islamic principles, a Congressional Chief of Staff working for justice, and a refugee fleeing religious persecution, whose experiences in some way echo Muhammad’s life. Lesson plans can be found at two companion websites with different content: http://theIslamProject.org AND the PBS site at https://www.pbs.org/show/muhammad-legacy-prophet/.
Muslim Holidays-Booklet Muslim Holidays is a booklet with readings and lesson plans from primary and elementary to middle school and high school that describe the two important Muslim holidays. celebrated around the world–Eid al-Fitr after Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha which accompanies the Hajj (pilgrimage) season. Illustrated. The booklet and other resources can be downloaded as pdfs free at http://cie.org
Students evaluate comments made by individuals in the film. The quotes touch upon topics such as Expressions of Faith, Family and Communal Aspects of Muslim Life, Unity and Diversity Among Muslims, Muslims in Mainstream American Society, and Muslim Responses to Extremism in Religion. Students will be better able to distinguish between “Islamic” teachings and “Muslim” practices which may or may not conform to the faith’s widely-held principles and ideals. For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS or standalone. Here is the lesson plan as a pdf lp_FM-C01_ValuesPracticesFaith-C01
A Short video depicting three teenagers who are researching how the modern world has been impacted by the Dark Ages. They meet the Librarian (Sir Ben Kingsley) who guides them through a journey of discovery about the ancient Golden Age. This video is a project of the international exhibition with many other teaching resources at and a page of additional videos at https://www.1001inventions.com/films-and-videos/
The film explores Islamic art in several thematic segments (Space, Word, Water, Ornament, and Color), featuring objects big and small, from great palaces and mosques to f ceramics, carved boxes, paintings and metal work. It revels in the use of color and finds commonalities in a shared artistic heritage with the West and East. The film also examines the unique ways in which Islamic art turns calligraphy and the written word into masterpieces and develops water into an expressive, useful art form Like all art, it carries the fundamental values and perspectives of the artists who created it as well as those who commissioned and paid for it. A discussion guide for the film can be used as a set of lesson plans Discussion-Guide-Mirror-of-the-Invisible-World-2013.
lp_FM-D01_IslamicLaw Islamic Law lesson plan, “What is Shariah? Major Sources and Principles of Islamic Law” lesson plan. This lesson provides background reading on the nature of Islamic law, and the role of legal scholars in making judgments according to Islamic legal sources. Understanding this material will help students evaluate Muslim approaches to contemporary social and political issues in Muslim countries and communities. For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS or as standalone lesson on the topic.
An interactive web page illustrating the many cultural contributions to American life from Islamic Spain, also leads to other articles on Muslims’ contributions to modern life, sciences, technologies, and cultural exchanges.
The term Islamophobia is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “intense dislike or fear of Islam, especially as a political force; hostility or prejudice towards Muslims” and is today widely used to denote anti-Muslim attitudes and actions. This set of answers to frequently asked questions about Islamophobia examines the history and impact of this phenomenon. Slide show.
Description of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and its celebration.
Joha Stories, a collection of stories and jokes from the famous universal Muslim character of wisdom and satire named Guha, Joha, Nasruddin Hoja in different cultures. Anecdotes and jokes poke fun at human foibles and contain kernels of wisdom. The lesson brings out the meanings and morals of the stories and explores why they are beloved across the Muslim world. Hodja-StoriesSLC
Europe today confronts complicated and controversial issues surrounding its Muslim population including Sharia law, terrorism, the building of mosques, female dress, and the pressures of immigration and multiculturalism. Akbar Ahmed, the world renowned Muslim anthropologist, is now embarking on a new study of Islam in Europe which will take him and his international team across the continent. Journey into Europe is the fourth part of an unprecedented quartet of award-winning books exploring relations between the West and the world of Islam after 9/11.
Well-known scholar of world religions Karen Armstrong discusses the perception that violence is associated with Islam, and discusses its historical association with other traditions. It is a lengthy article that can be used to discuss the general topic of religions and violence. The Guardian Newspaper, Sept 25, 2014
Children’s book with a description of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and its celebration. Early elementary level. Readaloud at Storytime with Rahouba at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh0r2cekXBk