Islam Awareness Course Kaushar Tai Director Aksaa Learning

Islam Awareness Course Kaushar Tai Director - Aksaa

Learning Outcomes: • • • A better understanding of the basic beliefs & practices. Information regarding the background to Muslims in Britain. Confidence in understanding what is Islam and what is not. Are the actions of ISIS; Boko Haram; the Manchester and Paris Attacks. Islamic? Issues relating to LGBT; and the Islamic perspective The meaning of Sharia Law? Understanding about the status of women in Islam. The true meaning of Jihad? What actually happens inside a Mosque?

Ground Rules ● This session is to help create a better understanding of Islam ● Create Dialogue; Understanding; Respect and Dignity ● Be open minded; Open Hearted ● Facilitator – Facilitating the process of learning ● Not about them and us ● Not here to convert ● Participate/Contribute; Ask questions ● Learn from each other ● Politics?

The Importance of Dialogue “No world peace. without peace amongst religions. no peace among religions without dialogue between the religions. and no dialogue between the religions without accurate knowledge of one another. ” (Hans Kung – Christian Theologian)

Background to Muslims in Britain ● ● ● Early contacts with Islam Shortage of labour after World War II Work industries: Textiles; Buses; Steel; NHS Language and Cultural barriers Muslims in the British Army – World War I & II Overt Racism

Muslims in the British Army 2. 5 million Muslims travelled to Europe to fight for the allies during the first world war “Muslims are portrayed as the enemy within, that they are recent arrivals who have never made a valuable contribution to Europe. But we can show that they have sacrificed their lives for a free Europe, have helped to make it what it is and that they have a right to be here. ” Luc Ferrier – A Belgian whose great grandfather fought in the First World War

Muslims in the British Army

Gold Coin Of King Offa of Mercia (757 -96 CE)

Background to Muslims in Britain • • Earlier Mosques and Madressahs First Mosque – Woking/Liverpool Marmaduke Pickthall & William Quillian Second/Third generation of Muslims Islam second largest faith in the UK Charities Islam and Culture

Two Source of Guidance Quran Hadith (Sunnah)

Culmination of Guidance ﺍﺍ ﺍ ﻧ ﺍﻟ ﺍ ﺍﻧﻳ “It is He who sent down to you in truth. the book confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Torah (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus)” (Quran - 3: 3)

The Five Pillars of Islam • • • Shahada (Declaration of Faith) Salaat (The daily Prayer) Zakaat (The Poor Due) Fasting in the month of Ramadan Hajj (The Pilgrimage)

The First Pillar of Islam Shahada (Declaration of Faith) There is no God but Allah and Prophet Muhammad pbuh is the Messenger of Allah

Second Pillar of Islam Salah – The five Daily Prayers

Third Pillar of Islam Zakat – Welfare Due

Fourth Pillar of Islam Fasting in the month of Ramadhan

Fifth Pillar of Islam Hajj – Pilgrimage to Makkah

Articles of Faith § § § § Belief Belief in in Allah the Angels Allah’s Books the Prophets the Last day Predestination Life after Death

No Compulsion in Religion “Let there be no compulsion in Religion: Truth stands out clear from error; whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things. ” (Quran. 2: 256)

The Adhan (Call for Prayer) Allaahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest Ashhadu al-laa ilaaha illallaah I bear witness that there is no god but Allah Ashhadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

The Adhan (Call for Prayer) Hayya ‘alas-salaah Come to Prayer! Hayya ‘alal-falaah Come to Success! Allaahu akbar Allah is the Greatest La ilaaha illallaah There is no god but Allah

Issues relating to Muslim sensitivities • • Diet – Halal and Haram Dress Code Prayer Facilities Ablution and Toilet Facilities Prayer room/arrangements Sex Education in Schools Naming System

Issues relating to Muslim sensitivities • • • The month of Ramadhan Eid Festivals Hajj Trip Hand Shaking Madrassah System Family Life

Life is Sacred in Islam Retribution for Killing “If anyone killed a person not in retaliation for murder or to spread mischief in the land. it would be as if he killed the whole of humanity. And likewise if anyone saved a life. it would be as if he saved the whole of humanity. ” Quran 5: 32

Most common nouns used in conjunction with British Muslims in the press Terrorist Source: Cardiff University Believer

The Prophet’s Character The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was very often persecuted and ill treated himself during his life time and at no point did he react in a negative way. This peaceful existence was one of the main reasons Islam spread so quickly.

Thank you for attending Any further Questions

Aksaa Contact Details For further information please contact 0781 381 1914 email: kaushartai@hotmail. com Or info@aksaa. co. uk website: www. aksaa. co. uk