Al-Jazeera, August 18, 2015, by Wilson Dizar, “Muslim scholars from 20 countries issued an “Islamic Declaration on Climate Change” on Tuesday, calling on the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims to do their part to eliminate dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and commit to renewable energy sources. The declaration, which draws on Islamic teachings, was drafted by academics and finalized at the International Islamic Climate Change Symposium held in Istanbul Aug. 17-18. The symposium’s goal was to reach “broad unity and ownership from the Islamic community around the Declaration,” according to the event’s website.”
Muslims
March 10, 2022
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
This activity helps students become familiar with key terms they will hear in the documentary film. Students will have a better grasp of the terms’ meanings and will therefore be able to understand the overall information provided in the film without being hampered by lack of familiarity with the terms.
March 10, 2022
PEW Forum on Religion & Public Life – Issues The PEW Forum has a new resource with interactive maps on global migration of religious groups–both in- and out-migration– entitled Faith on the Move at http://www.pewforum.org/Geography/Religious-Migration-exec.aspx. The PEW Forum has a report on Global Christianity with interactive maps and data, as well as information on Judaism in the US and other affiliations worldwide. The PEW Forum’s new 2010-2011 demographic report is The Future of the Global Muslim Population, including current data on a global as well as regional and country-by country basis. The executive summary, interactive maps and data tables is located at http://www.pewforum.org/The-Future-of-the-Global-Muslim-Population.aspx.
March 10, 2022
When and where did the first complete, coherent, and well organized system of medicine develop? Read this research paper to discover the fascinating accomplishment in medical care over 1000 years ago! From the National Library of Health. See also Parts I and II.
Hajar R. The Air of History Part III: The Golden Age in Arab Islamic Medicine An Introduction. Heart Views. 2013 Jan;14(1):43-6. doi: 10.4103/1995-705X.107125. PMID: 23580929; PMCID: PMC3621228.
March 10, 2022
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
March 10, 2022
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/.
March 10, 2022
The best-known biography of Malcolm X, African American Muslim and activist during the civil rights struggle in the US. Learn about the book and the author in the PBS episode of The American Experience. Find the book at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/106490/the-autobiography-of-malcolm-x-by-malcolm-x-alex-haley/
March 10, 2022
Description of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and its celebration, and the Eid al-Fitr or Feast of the Sacrifice. Elementary level.
March 10, 2022
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
March 10, 2022
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
March 10, 2022
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
March 10, 2022
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
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
Discover Islamic Art Museum With No Frontiers/DiscoverIslamicArt, a collection of art by period, dynasty, region and themes, bringing together works in many museums with their full information. The site also features interactive games exploring artworks and objects. A great way to see how Islamic art is organized and how it changed over time and across Muslim cultures. A project of the EuroMed with European Union funding.
March 10, 2022
Islam: An American Faith, Set of 6 documentary films on aspects of Islam, descriptive of the faith, its beliefs and practices. $9.95 ea or $49.95 for the set.
For many these two ideas: Islam and America are not compatible, many on both sides feel that there is a great divide and that America can never reconcile with Islam and Muslims cannot live in peace with America. This film aims to dispel that myth. Starting from a historical perspective highlighting the fact that Muslims were already present in the New World prior to the arrival of the first European settlers and coming to the present post 9-11 America where some are questioning their identity, whereas others are defining their American Muslim identity.
March 10, 2022
Critical Thinking on Terminology about Islam and Muslims Critical Thinking about Terminology Related to Islam and Muslims: This lesson helps students critically evaluate some of the phrases and concepts used to describe Islam and Muslims. Students learn about the distinctions between using terms such as “Islamic” and “Muslim” to describe different behaviors or cultural products, and gain awareness of journalistic categories such as “Muslim world.” For use with: Video documentary FRONTLINE: MUSLIMS or as standalone lesson.