An Introduction to Islam
Tutor: James Orr
Age: from 10 to 15
Subject: Religion
Maximum Attendees: 4
Course Outline:
Please find below a very rough draft of how we might approach a 12-week course on Islam. The most sensible structure to follow would be a chronological one if we are to cover as much ground as possible. Any or all of the outline below can of course be tailored and changed to incorporate different emphases in any way the family should see fit.
Week 1 – Introduction
Looking at the reasons for and importance of studying Islam closely today; understanding the challenges and relevance of the course ahead; getting a feel for how to understand, learn and retain what we learn on an ongoing basis; looking at the most ideal materials to follow; establishing the most fun and practical ways of working together.
Week 2 – Beginnings
The person and background of Muhammad the man; his early religious and ethical beliefs; cultural, political and religious setting of the Arabian Peninsular in late 6thC/early 7thC; assessing the influence of Judaism, Islam and tribal polytheism; the strategic importance of Medina and Mecca as trading posts in the period; the culture of Bedouin tribesmen.
Week 3 – Gabriel in the Cave
Muhammad’s “revelatory experiences”; how to make sense of them historically; their importance for later Islamic understanding of the faith’s holy texts; learning how to make sense of the Qu’ran; reading through small sections of the Qu’ran for insights into the picture of the world which it presents; learning about the importance of Classical Arabic and its importance for the interpretation of the Qu’ran; looking at the development of Muhammad’s understanding of the character of Allah and the doctrinal/ethical teachings he believed to have been revealed to him.
Week 4 – Persecution in Mecca & Exile to Medina
Political life in Mecca; assessing the reasons for the persecution of Muhammad and his early followers in the 610s; looking at the flight to Medina in 622 and its subsequent importance for the Islamic tradition; the growth of Muhammad’s influence and popular support; changes and development in the teaching arising from the ongoing “revelations”
Week 5 – The Death of Muhammad and the Birth of Islam
Death of Muhammad in 632 and impact on his followers; battles over the future of the faith and his succession; background to and reasons for early divisions between Sunni and Shi’ite Islam; the sayings later ascribed to Muhammad and their importance in relation to the Qu’ran; background and narrative of how the Qu’ran became the Qu’ran; early military exploits of Islam and the conquest of Jerusalem in 637; expansion into North Africa and reasons for its success.
Week 6 – The Golden Age of Islam
The military and cultural conquest of Spain and tensions between Islam and European Christianity; the discovery of Aristotle and translation of key classical thinkers; Islamic discoveries in science, algebra, general mathematics; achievements in philosophy, history and poetry, with a look at some key texts and ideas; importance of key centres of Islamic learning, with a particular focus on Cairo and Baghdad.
Week 7 – The Age of the Crusades, “Reconquista”, Genghis Khan & Empire
Background to and reasons for the Crusades; understanding the clash between Islam and Christianity from theological perspectives; key leaders and narrative of major events; Islamic response to the invasions; the significance of Jerusalem; the significance of the Crusades for Muslims today; the Mongol invasions; the invasion of India by the Mughals and impact on the culture of India from the 16thC; Islam in Iran and the conflict with Zoroastrianism.
Week 8 – The Diversity of Islam: Nationalisms, Major Divisions & Sects
A review from Week 5 of the differences between Shi’ite and Sunni Islam; a look at Sufism and mystical Islam, together with its influence on the art and architecture within the Islamic traditions and a consideration of the latter in a more general context; analysis of the geographic spread of the varieties of Islam; the significance of Ibn Abd-al-Wahhab and the birth of Wahabbism; the Salafi interpretation of Sunni Islam; the importance of Wahabbism and Salafism for an understanding of contemporary Islamism.
Week 9 – Islam, the West & the Rest: The Impact of Islam on the World Today
The beginnings and growth of radical Islam; understanding the political, social and economic factors fuelling resentment amongst Muslims from 1950 onwards; the legacy of colonialism (France in Syria, Lebanon, Algeria and Muslim migration to French cities; the Raj and birth of Pakistan and Bangladesh; relations between Germany and Turkey); Islamic attitudes to the West and its tensions with secularism; the Iranian Revolution.
Week 10 – The Causes and Aftermath of 9/11: Islam & Islamism in the 21st Century
The difference between Islam and Islamism; Osama Bin-Laden and the birth of Al’Quaeda; the politics and grievances of Islamism from an Islamic perspective; secular criticism of Islamist attitudes; the problem of Islamic terrorism and reasons behind it; the spread of Islam from North to Sub-Saharan Africa; the invasion of Iraq; relations between Iran and the West; understanding global tensions between Muslims and the West.
Week 11 – The Problem of Palestine & the Arab-Israeli Dilemma
Historical context and background to the current problems; key leaders and events in the struggle from 1948 onwards; returning to Weeks 5 and 7 for the significance of Jerusalem and understanding the Jewish perspective; different attempts to resolve the disagreements and reasons for their failure; the problem of Israeli settlements; the effectiveness of the West and the United Nations; prospects for peace.
Week 12 –The Islamic Way of Life: Piety, Practices & Prayer
Looking at the five key practices of Islam (fasting, prayer, pilgrimage, charity, declaration of faith), their background and significance; understanding dietary practices, attitudes to women, marriage and family; the layout of a mosque and how services are organised; opportunities for dialogue with other religions.
J.T.W.O.