Islam Culture and Diversity Presented to Appalachian State

Islam, Culture and Diversity Presented to Appalachian State Islamic Center of Nashville Rashed Fakhruddin & Tina Mohyuddin Friday, March 30, 2007 www. icntn. org 2515 12 th Ave. S Nashville, TN 37204 icn@muslimeen. org

PEACE! As Salaamu ‘alaikum May God’s Peace be with you.

The Objectives of The Presentation • Introduce ourselves to the diversity of our society • To help in understanding the student diversity in the classroom • To give a glimpse at the cultural life of Muslims • A quick and brief info about the Islamic Faith

The Muslim World

World of Islam • GLOBAL! • Capital and Centers: – Cairo, Damascus, Makkah, Jerusalem – Dakar, Addis Ababa, Dar-es-Salaam, – Istanbul, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta – London, Paris, Marseilles, Bonn – New York, Detroit, Washington

What about the Middle East? v. Not all Muslims are Arabs & not all Arabs are Muslims v 18% of Muslims are from the Middle East and the rest come from other parts of the world MUSLIMS RESIDE IN EVERY CORNER OF THE EARTH ~ 50 million Muslims in China ~ over 300 million Muslims in the Indian Subcontinent

What about the American Muslim community? • Estimated 7 million Muslims in America. • Made up of people from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds and national origins. • 15 – 20 thousand Muslims in Nashville, Tennessee • Nashville Muslims - Early 1970’s, Cat Stevens, Muhammad Yunus (Noble Peace Prize), Diversity (over 40 nationalities) • Almost 2, 000 mosques, Islamic schools and Islamic centers in America. • Muslims are active in all walks of life.

ISLAM & MUSLIMS • Islam simply means submission to the will of God – The word ‘Islam’ is derived from the word ‘Salam’, which means Peace • Muslim is a person who surrenders to God and finds peace

6 Articles of Faith MUSLIMS ARE REQUIRED TO BELIEVE IN: 1. Almighty God (Allah) 2. The Prophets 3. The Revelations sent to His Prophets 4. The Angels 5. The Day of Judgment (where mankind will be judged in the Hereafter according to their action in this life) 6. The divine decree (that everything that happens, good or bad, has been decreed by God)

5 PILLARS OF ISLAM 1. Belief that there is no god worthy of worship except Almighty God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God 2. Prayer 3. Charity 4. Fasting 5. Pilgrimage

1 st PILLAR OF ISLAM Shahadah (Testimony of Faith) Belief that there is no god except Almighty God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God (shahada) Our Purpose in Life – To worship our Creator Allah’s Attributes include– The Creator, The One, The First, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful, The Most Just, The Most Forgiving, The Most Loving, The Most Wise, The Greatest, The Praiseworthy, The All-Knowing, etc.

1 st PILLAR OF ISLAM Shahadah (Testimony of Faith) Muhammad – the Seal of the Prophets (Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, etc. ) Jesus son of Mary – Miracles, mentioned in the Qur’an, Prophethood. “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breath into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers and I raise the dead by God's leave. ” (Holy Quran, Chapter 3, verse 49)

1 st PILLAR OF ISLAM Shahadah (Testimony of Faith) Prophet Muhammad • Born in 570 AD • Descendant of Abraham through the Prophet Ismail • Known as Al-Amin (The Trustworthy) before revelation • Received revelation (Qur’an) over a period of 23 years from the age of 40 until he passed away (age 63)

Prophet Muhammad Michael Hart, in his book on rating s of men who contributed towards the benefit and upliftment of mankind, wrote, ‘My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels. ’

Prophet Muhammad Ramakrishna Rao, an Indian Professor of Philosphy, refers to the Prophet as ‘PERFECT MODEL FOR HUMAN LIFE. ’… There is Muhammad the Prophet, Warrior, Businessman, Statesman, Orator, Reformer, Refuge of Orphans, Protector of Slaves, Emancipator of Women, Judge, Saint…All in all these magnificent roles and in all these departments of human activities, he is alike a hero. ’

2 nd PILLAR OF ISLAM – Prayer Muslim are required to pray 5 times a day 1. Before the sunrise 2. During the mid day 3. During the afternoon 4. Right after the sun sets 5. During the night time Muslims are encouraged to pray in congregation at the Mosques 5 times a day. Muslims take a few minutes during their busy lives to pray wherever they are: work, school, mall, etc.

Daily Prayers • 2 prayers during school hours – Midday prayer and Afternoon prayer • • • Requires Ablution (washing) Requires a quiet, dry, clean place Takes 5 -10 min Specific movements Pray in the direction of Makka Friday Prayer is mandatory for males to be done at the mosque – From 12: 45 PM to 2: 00 PM on every Friday

Prayers Love & Relationship with the Creator

3 rd PILLAR OF ISLAM - Charity Muslim are required to give 2. 5% of their savings to the poor Everything belongs to God Wealth is a trust from God Zakaat means purification & growth Additional charity

4 th Pillar of Islam - FASTING ( SIYAM) • • Pillar of Islam – required from puberty Lunar Month of Ramadan Dawn to Sunset Siyam – Abstaining from food, drink and intimate marital relations Spiritual: obedience, closeness to Allah Moral: self control, self-discipline Can be hard The effect of Fasting on ones daily life physically and spiritually

4 th PILLAR OF ISLAM - Fasting EXEMPTIONS Sick Elderly Journeymen Pregnant Nursing

4 th PILLAR OF ISLAM - Fasting Best Behavior Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, ‘Five things break a person’s fast: Lying, backbiting, spreading rumors, false testimony, and a lustful gaze. ’

4 th PILLAR OF ISLAM - Fasting WHY DO MUSLIMS FAST? ? God’s Commandments Holy Qur’an, in chapter 2, verse 183, ‘O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for the people before you in order for you to achieve ‘taqwa’ God-Consciousness’

4 th PILLAR OF ISLAM - Fasting TAQWA ‘God-consciousness’, ‘righteousness’, ‘Godfear’, ‘piety’, etc Walking through a thorny path

4 th PILLAR OF ISLAM - Fasting REVELATION OF QUR’AN ZAKAAT FITR EID

th 5 PILLAR OF ISLAM - Hajj The fifth and final pillar of Islam is the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Once in a lifetime 2 ½ million people 12 th month of the lunar year

th 5 PILLAR OF ISLAM - Hajj RITUALS Abrahamic Ka’ba Hills of Safa & Marwa Zam Water Arafat Sacrifice

th 5 PILLAR OF ISLAM - Hajj NO RACIAL BARRIERS Races Languages Colors Professions Nationalities Poor and the Rich

th 5 PILLAR OF ISLAM - Hajj ‘Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and such overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practiced by people of all colors and races here in this Ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham and all the other Prophets of Holy scriptures. For the past week I have been truly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors. I have been blessed to visit the Holy City of Mecca…There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue eyed blonds to black skinned Africans. But we were all practicing in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experience in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and the non-white…’ MALCOM X

th 5 PILLAR OF ISLAM - Hajj ‘O mankind, We created you from a single male and female and made you into nations and tribes that you may get to know one another. Verily the most honored among you in the sight of God is the one who is most righteous…’. (Qur’an, chapter 49, verse 13) ‘And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth, and the variations in your languages and colors, verily in that are Signs for those who know. ’ (Qur’an, chapter 30, verse 22)

th 5 PILLAR OF ISLAM - Hajj ‘All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. ’ Prophet Muhammad in the year of 632.

ISLAM – A WAY OF LIFE Character Education Marriage Family Occupation Sports etc…

Muslims in America Avoid Pork & learn Arabic No drinking nor drugs No gambling Prayer accommodations No dating Dress Code (includes Hijab) Sports Honesty Community Participation

Dietary Requirements • Cannot eat pork products (prohibited) – bacon, ham, sausage, pepperoni • Cannot take medicine during the day • Halal Food

Holidays • • • 2 main holidays Depend on Lunar Calendar 1 st Eid marks the end of Ramadan 2 nd Eid is 10 th day of 12 th month in Islamic calendar A religious day off that is dedicated to the Lord as well as family and friends • Non Islamic Holidays – Halloween – Christmas • A day of celebration for everyone to share with Muslims

Gender Relations • Strict gender relations in Islam (dating, touching and free gender mixing is forbidden in Islam). • “Alternate life style” is unacceptable in Islam • No public baths

Dress code • • Muslim dress Gym clothes Change of clothes – privacy/not to be seen Zero Tolerance of disrespect to the dress code

Family Structure • Affection to children differs from one culture to another • Display & expression of affections also differs – Kissing a small child on the lips • Light corporal punishment – Spanking • Children are taught early about Islamic values – Fasting – Prayer – Dress Code

Questions & Answers

MISCONCEPTIONS Women Tolerance Jihad Muslims in America

MISCONCEPTIONS – Women are equal partners to men in the procreation of mankind, in bearing personal & common responsibilities, rewards for their deeds… ‘Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him will We give a new life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to their actions. ’ (Qur'an 16: 97) Eve, wife of Adam, is no longer the temptress who leads Adam to sin but a partner jointly responsible with him and jointly forgiven by Allah soon afterwards. Prophet Muhammad said, "It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is the wicked who insults them. "

MISCONCEPTIONS – Women Islam recognizes women as individuals with specific rights The right to life. The right to learn: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "To seek knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim (male and female). “ The right to earn, own and dispose of property The right to participate in public life and to be heard by those in power. The right to choose a husband The right to a marriage gift from the husband (mahr) The right to maintain her maiden name The right to seek divorce The right to inherit The right to a final will ETC….

MISCONCEPTIONS - Women Wife ‘And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may live in tranquility with them; and He has brought between you love and mercy. Truly, in this are signs for those who reflect’ Quran, surah Rum, verse 21. "The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives. "

MISCONCEPTIONS - Women Mother A man asked, 'Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of all mankind of kind treatment and good companionship from me? " He replied, "Your mother. " He asked who came next and he replied, "Your father. " A Muslim sees a mother as an icon of strength and courage tempered with compassion, kindness and love. ‘And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and good to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination. ’ (Qur’an, Surah Luqman, verse 14. )

MISCONCEPTIONS - Women Daughter Before Islam, right before the time of Prophet Muhammad, the birth of a daughter in a family was not an occasion for rejoicing, but was regarded with humiliation. The practice of killing female children was uncontrolled. With the advent of Islam came the verse from the Qur’an condemning those who practiced female infanticide. "And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief! He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonor or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision. " (Qur’an, Ch. 16, verse 58 -9) Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, “Anyone who has three daughters and provides for them, clothes them and shows mercy to them will definitely enter the Garden. ” A man from the people said, “And two daughters, Messenger of Allah? ” He said, “And two. ”

MISCONCEPTIONS -Tolerance ‘Let there be no compulsion in religion, for truth stands clear from error. ’ (Qur’an, 2: 256) ‘We made you to be a community of the middle way’ (Qur’an, 2: 143) Omar in Jerusalem Church of Holy Sepulcher – Omar respectfully declined to pray inside the church of Resurrection in Jerusalem, but he did pray outside. He was concerned that his followers would take it over from the Christians, if he prayed inside. Muslim in Spain & India

MISCONCEPTIONS -Tolerance Prophet Muhammad’s message to the Monks of Saint Catherine in Mount Sinai: ’Verily, I defend them by myself, the servants, the helpers, and my followers, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them…If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, this is not to take place without her own wish. She is not to be prevented from going to her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected…’

MISCONCEPTIONS -Tolerance Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Beware! Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, curtails their rights, burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment. ” Forgiveness: “… They should rather pardon and overlook. Would you not love Allah to forgive you? Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. ” (Qur’an, Chapter ‘The Light’, verse 22)

MISCONCEPTIONS - Jihad From www. Discover. Islam. com

MISCONCEPTIONS - Jihad From www. Discover. Islam. com

MISCONCEPTIONS - Jihad Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of one’s faith, or on the part of those whose basic rights have been violated.

MISCONCEPTIONS - Jihad ‘Permission (to fight) is given to those who are being attacked, because they have been wronged. And surely God measures out help for them. (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right, - (for no cause) except that they say, “our Lord is Allah. . Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause); - for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might. ’ - (Qur’an 22: 39 -40)

MISCONCEPTIONS - Jihad ‘Do not fight those who join a folk with whom you have a treaty, or they come to you with their breasts constricted against fighting you or fighting their own folk. And if only God had willed, He could have given them an authority over you so they would have fought you. So if they stand aloof and do not fight you, and they speak a word of peace, then God has not given you a way against them. ’ – (Qur’an 4: 90)

MISCONCEPTIONS - Jihad Peace – “If they incline towards peace, you incline towards peace and place your trust in God” (Qur’an, Chapter 8, verse 61)

MISCONCEPTIONS - Jihad Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not commit aggression, for God loves not aggressors (Qur’an 2: 190) Strict Rules of Combat – Prohibitions by Pr. Muhammad Civilians, elderly, women, children, animals, homes & crops were off limits (only combatant vs. combatant. ) ‘That if anyone killed a person … it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind’ (Holy Qur’an, Chapter 5, verse 32)

MISCONCEPTIONS - Jihad FORBIDDEN IS ISLAM Terrorism (scare, insult, accuse, spread rumors, etc. ) WMD Suicide Torture & Humiliation Mutilation

The Sword ‘I waned to know the best of the one who holds today undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind…I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self -effacements of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for this pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the 2 nd volume (of the prophet's biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read of the great life. ’ Mahatma Ghandi.

MISCONCEPTIONS – Muslims in America West African Mandinka Muslims pre-Columbus 1787 Peace and Friendship at the Delaware River – Muhammad Ibn Abdullah African Slaves – close to 40% were Muslims – Kunta Kinte Tallahassee - “He Allah will deliver you sometime in the future”.

Muslims in America Genealogists are now saying that anybody coming from the Eastern part of the US whether White, black, Gicchi, mixed, etc that if your last name is Adam, Atkins, Bell, Bennet, Bary, Bowling, Chavez, Coleman, Collins, Gibson, Gowens, Hull, Lopez, More, Mullins, Nash, Robinson, Sexton, and Williams – any one of those names then more than likely – you were Melungeon which means that originally of Moorish decent and therefore Muslim in origin

Saying of the Prophet Muhammad 'God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others. ' 'None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself. ' 'He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is not a believer. ' 'The truthful and trusty businessman is associated with the prophets the saints, and the martyrs. ' 'Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger. ' 'God does not judge according to your bodies and appearances but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds. ' 'A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a well he descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Then he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up mud to quench its thirst. The man saw that the dog was feeling the same thirst as he had felt so he went down into the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the dog a drink. God forgave his sins for this action. ' The Prophet was asked: 'Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals? ' He said, 'There is a reward for kindness to every living thing. '

Resources Contact the following: • Islamic Center of Nashville – Rashed Fakhruddin • (615) 480 -6146 – Tasneem Ahmed • (931) 461 -7001 – Office Contact • (615) 385 -9379 • Masjid Al-Farooq Salaad Nur – 1421 4 th Ave South Nashville, TN 37206 (615) 573 -7289 • Salahadeen Center Ahmed Brifkani – 364 Elysian Fields Ct Nashville, TN 37211 (615) 834 -0199 Visit: www. icntn. org, www. islamtoday. net/english/ or www. cair-net. org

PEACE!

Questions & Answers