Muslim regions – RING MidWest

March 10, 2022

My Beautiful Birds, Suzanne Del Rizzo

Picture book for ages 6 and up about the Syrian civil war and the refugee families that resulted. A much-awarded book with author/illustrator images of great beauty featuring a boy’s attachment to the birds of his memory and his healing process toward hope.

March 10, 2022

My Country, ‘Tis of Thee: My Faith, My Family, Our Future, Keith Ellison (author)

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.

March 10, 2022

The Grand Mosque of Paris: a Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews during the Holocaust, Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland DeSaix

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

March 10, 2022

Children’s books with an Islamic theme

Bibliography of well-reviewed, award winning and useful books for librarians and educators on Islam and Muslims, a variety of genres and age levels

March 10, 2022

Stamaty, Mark Alan. Alia’s Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq. illus. by author. Knopf. 2004.

Graphic novel version of the true story of the woman who, with members of her community, saved books during the Iraq war. Publishers Weekly featured review.

March 10, 2022

Muslims’ Contribution (Discovery Packet)

A Compilation of achievements and inventions made by early Muslims. It also includes short bios of famous Muslims in the US and around the world who made significant contributions in the social, medical, engineering, entertainment, sports, and other fields.

March 10, 2022

Statements by Muslim Scholars and Jurists on Extremism, Sectarianism, Minority Rights and Terrorism in Islam and Muslim Societies(primary sources)

“Document Study: Statements by Muslim Scholars and Jurists on Extremism, Sectarianism, Minority Rights and Terrorism in Islam and Muslim Societies” contains links and a discussion guide for point-by-point refutations of the practices and propaganda put out by ISIS/ISIL by a consortium of 126 Muslim jurists and scholars. They and other prominent scholars are signatories to other statements on proper Islamic perspectives in the face of extremism, such as the Amman Message, and the Marrakesh Declaration on minorities. All of these documents are linked in one lesson and discussion guide here.

March 10, 2022

Prince Among Slaves

Prince Among Slaves recounts the true story of an African Muslim prince who was captured and sold into slavery in the American South. After 40 years of enslavement, he finally regained his freedom, became a national celebrity, and dined in the White House. This is an incredible story about an incredible man who endured the humiliation of slavery without ever losing his dignity or his hope for freedom. Prince Among Slaves is based on the book by historian Terry Alford (1977) was conceived, designed, and executive produced by Unity Productions Foundation (UPF), and received substantial NEH planning and production funding in 2005 and 2006. The companion teaching resources help to contextualize the film and book in American history, as well as addressing contemporary issues of identity and migration.

March 10, 2022

Macdonald, Fiona. A 16th Century Mosque. Hodder Wayland. 1996.

A beautifully illustrated guide to a mosque from the Ottoman period by famous architect Sinan. Online version to borrow from OpenLibrary

March 10, 2022

Make Schools Welcoming for Muslim, Arab, Refugee Students

Department of education is urging schools to put plans and policies to welcome Muslims, Arabs and refugees. Education Week, January 04, 2016.

March 10, 2022

Marrakesh Declaration

Marrakesh Declaration on The Rights of Religious Minorities in Predominantly Muslim Lands: Legal Framework and a Call to Action. A statement by 250 Muslim scholars and jurists concerning the importance of respecting and protecting the rights of religious and ethnic minorities in Muslim majority countries. See analysis at https://www.usip.org/publications/2016/09/understanding-and-extending-marrakesh-declaration-policy-and-practice

March 10, 2022

Islamic Spain What’s for Breakfast? Interactive web resource

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.

March 10, 2022

Joha Stories, Jokes and lesson plan

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

March 10, 2022

Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History (TOAH)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History (TOAH), a magnificent and comprehensive resource for all periods and world regions, with extensive access to images, thematic essays such as The Nature of Islamic Art, maps, timelines and search possibilities. Indispensible for integrating art across the curriculum. See also the MET’s Islamic art collection at http://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/curatorial-departments/islamic-art

March 10, 2022

Dome of the Rock and al-Haram al-Sharif

A virtual walking tour of the Dome of the Rock and the third most important mosque in Islam, in Jerusalem. It features 360 degree views and detailed explanations of the architectural and decorative features, and their significance. (Since Adobe Flash is no longer supported, an alterative is to download Ruffles Flash emulator at http://ruffles.rs and install it as a browser extension)