Tuesday, January 31, 2012

(Sunni Muslims Islam) G. What are the demographics of where this sect can be found? How many people practice this particular branch (either the overall # and/or the percentage within the religion)

G. What are the demographics of where this sect can be found? How many people practice this particular branch (either the overall # and/or the percentage within the religion)


   Over 75-90 percent of all Muslims are Sunni Muslims. Approximately 230 countries world have Sunni Muslims. They are mainly concentrated in areas in the general Middle East area. Many live in Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt,the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

 
 


  

(Sunni Muslims Islam) F. How and where did this particular branch develop?


F. How and where did this particular branch develop? 

    Sunni Muslims developed after Muhammad's death, and the separation was caused by a conflict over his succession. Muhammad died in 632 CE, and to some, the rightful heir was Muhammad's son-in-law, Ali. Others preferred different candidates. In the end the orthodox Sunni Muslims eventually prevailed. They mostly developed in Iran and are now the second largest religious group there.




File:Sunni.PNG
Sunni in Arabic


(Sunni Muslims Islam) E. How does your sect differ from the other branches within the major religion?




E. How does your sect differ from the other branches within the major religion?

         The two different branches in Islam. The Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims. Sunni Muslims are the greater majority of Muslims. Sunni Muslims believe in the effectiveness of family and community in solving life's problems. Shi'ite (Shiah) Muslims are mainly concentrated in Iran. They believe that the imam is the sole source of true knowledge.



Religious Map of World





(Sunni Muslims Islam) D. How does this monotheistic religion differ from the other two major monotheistic religions?

D. How does this monotheistic religion differ from the other two major monotheistic religions?  


         Muslims follow a strict monotheism with one creator who is just, omnipotent
and merciful. They also believe in Satan who drives people to sin, and that all unbelievers and sinners will spend eternity in hell. They respect the earlier prophets, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, but don't not think that Jesus was killed on the cross. Christians believe that there is only one god and Jews believe in one creator who alone is to be worshiped as absolute ruler of the universe. He monitors people’s activities and rewards good people and punishes evil.




Islam symbol








(Sunni Muslims Islam) C. What traditions or rituals do they follow? List and describe at least 3.

C.  What traditions or rituals do they follow? List and describe at least 3.


       Muslims follow a strict monotheism with one creator who is just, omnipotent and merciful. They also follow the "Five Pillars of Islam". The five pillars are confession of faith, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage. The confession of faith pillar signifies that all Muslims should recite the shahadah, a public declaration of faith (prayer) at least once. The fasting pillar signifies that all Muslims should fast during the month of Ramadan, the month that Muhammad received the Koran from Abraham. Last, the pilgrimage pillar signifies that all Muslims should make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in thei life, if economically and physically possible.





Five Pillars of Islam


(Sunni Muslims Islam) B. What holy book do they use and what holy days do they observe? List and describe at least 2.

 B. What holy book do they use and what holy days do they observe? List and describe at least 2. 

     The holy book of Islam is the Koran which contains God's teachings. The other holy book of Islam is the Hadith, which is a collection of Muhammad's sayings. The Koran includes many of the ideas of the ancient Hebrew Jews and their prophets, as well as telling the story of Jesus' life. Important days include Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Ramadan. Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calender and is a time for Muslims to ask for forgiveness for past sin, pray for guidance, and purify themselves. During Ramadan Muslims fast from dawn till the sunset in order to learn more about patience, humility and spirituality. Eid al-Adha is the "Festival of Sacrifice" which is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God, before God gave him a sheep to sacrifice.     



The Holy Koran

(Sunni Mulims Islam) A. What is the place of worship? What are the major features of this place? (details of architecture, how it is decorated, what the place is called)


A. What is the place of worship? What are the major features of this place? (details of architecture, how it is decorated, what the place is called)

         Muslims worship in mosques. A person called the muezzin calls for prayer and chants from a raised platform or tower at the mosque. Congregational prayer is started with the imam, the prayer leader, standing at the front of the mosque facing the direction of Mecca, the holy city of Islam. The congregation is lined up in rows behind him. There are no seats in a mosque. Each prayer consists of several phases, during which the individual is either standing or kneeling.






Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey