Birthplace of Three Religions

Three of the world's religions-- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have their roots in SW Asia (Middle East).

● Judaism- Abraham (Mesopotamia)● Christianity- Jesus Christ (Israel)● Islam- Muhammad (Saudi Arabia)

Jerusalem/ Dome of the Rock

Judaism- Abraham & Isaac, King Solomon's temple

Christianity- Abraham & Isaac

Islam- Spot where Mohammad ascended into heaven.

The sacred rock over which the Dome of the Rock is built was considered holy before the arrival of Islam. Jews believed, and still believe, the rock to be the very place

where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac (an event which Muslims place in Mecca). In addition, the Dome of the Rock (or the adjacent Dome of the Chain) is believed by many

to stand directly over the site of the Holy of Holies of both Solomon's Temple and Herod's Temple.

Judaism

• Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion.

• Abraham is regarded as the father of the Jewish people.

.

Beliefs/Sacred Texts• Jews believe God made a

covenant with Abraham that his descendants would be God’s chosen people. In return they would have to keep God’s laws.

• God gave the Jewish people the 10 Commandants and other rules to live by (contained in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible).

].

Gone Fishin’

• Moses led the Jews out from captivity in Egypt.

What it may have been like fishing with Moses.

Jewish beliefs

• The Torah consists of the five books revealed to Moses, also called the Pentateuch, and is the most important part of the Hebrew Bible.

• The name for a Jewish place of worship is a synagogue.

• The Hebrew word for God is Yahweh.

.

Has anyone heard of these Jewish Holidays?

• Rosh Hashanah: The beginning of the Jewish New Year.

• Hanukkah: An eight day festival which commemorates the re-dedication of the temple in Jerusalem.

• Passover: Week long memorial retelling the Israelites’ release from Egypt.

Christianity• Christianity takes its name

from the Greek word ‘Christ’, meaning Anointed One, whom Christians believe was Jesus, the son of God.

• Jesus was born in Bethlehem, near Jerusalem and grew up as a Jewish boy.

• At about the age of 30 he began three years of traveling and teaching. He taught a new way of drawing upon the Jewish tradition.

Spread of Christianity

• He revealed himself to be the Son of God.

• He claimed to be the Messiah.

• The holy book of Christianity is the Bible.

• The place of worship for Christians is a church.

The yellow areas show the spread of Christianity from 200 CE to 400 CE.

Have you heard of these Christian holidays?

• Christmas (December 25): The celebration of Jesus’ birth

• Easter: The holiest period of the Christian calendar. It begins with Good Friday, which solemnly commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion, and continues until Easter Sunday which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.

Islam

• Islam means submission to Allah (God). Islam was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (the founder of Islam).

Location of the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia

Islam continued . . .

The Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest mosque in the world and surrounds one of Islam's holiest places, the Kaaba. Muslims face in the direction of the Kaaba while performing Salat. One of the Five Pillars of Islam requires every Muslim to perform the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime if able to do so, includes circumambulation of the Kaaba.

Islam continued . . .

• Muhammad continued receiving messages from God throughout the later part of his life.

• He memorized these messages and passed them on to his followers. After his death they were collected and written down in the Qur’an (Koran).

The Qur’an, holy text of Islam.

The Five Pillars of IslamThe Five Pillars of Islam

The practice of religious faith is also built on the five pillars of Islam:

Declaration of faith: "I bear witness that there is no god, but God; I bear witness that Muhammad is the prophet of God." By reciting this, one enters Islamic faith.

Prayer: Muslims are required to pray five times a day and facing in the direction of Mecca while praying.

Charity: Muslims are required to give away a percentage of their earnings to those less fortunate, regardless of their religion.

Fasting: Muslims fast for one lunar month each year, a period called Ramadan. During this time, Muslims reflect on their behavior and strive to purify their thoughts.

Pilgrimage: If it is financially possible, Muslims are required to travel to Mecca once in their lifetime.

Understanding Political Cartoons

Hey, Jack!Which way's Mecca?

In this political cartoon, why is this man’s question silly?

Have you heard of any of this Islamic holiday?

• Ramadan: Celebrates the gift of the Qur'an. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims must fast between sunrise and sunset.