Workshop 13: Islam 1: Peace by Surrender

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Building Bridges, Grades 8-9: A World Religions Program

In This Section

Introduction
From Building Bridges

Living life where you’re remembering God intentionally, consciously, just changes everything….
Spiritual Preparation
From Building Bridges

One challenge of facilitating a group exploring Islam is to stay grounded in order to guide the group to do the same. Begin by recognizing any preconceived notions you have about Muslims and Islam. Talk with your co-leader in advance of the workshop; share your level of familiarity with Islam and…
Welcoming and Entering
From Building Bridges

Materials for Activity Images of Muslim art from the Arab world Preparation for Activity Visit Stock Photos or Google Images and print a few Arabic or Muslim mosaic designs and examples of calligraphy. You might also visit a public library to find books on Arabic calligraphy and mosaics. Note: Do…
Opening
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers, and tape Several copies of the Qur’an in different English translations, and at least one in Arabic Leader Resource 1, Islam Background Preparation for Activity Read Leader…
Activity 1: Story - The Life of Muhammad
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “The Life of Muhammad” A world map or globe Preparation for Activity Read the story so you will be comfortable presenting it. On the map or globe, locate places you will point out as you tell the youth the story: the city of Mecca; the…
Activity 2: The Five Pillars of Islam
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Pillars Scissors Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 1, Pillars for all participants and facilitators; set these copies aside. Make enough additional copies of Handout 1 so you can cut apart the five Pillar…
Activity 3: Hajj
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Writing paper and pens/pencils Preparation for Activity Consider lifelong goals (spiritual or otherwise) you may have, or have had, that you can share with the youth….
Activity 4: Fact Sheet
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, Islam Fact Sheet Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 2 for all participants. Description of Activity Youth receive a fact sheet on Islam to take home. Distribute Handout 2, Islam Fact Sheet and review it with the group. Ask: What…
Activity 5: Time Line
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Religions Time Line (Workshop 1) Sticky notes and fine point markers World map or globe Preparation for Activity Display the time line where all participants will be able to see it. Write a sticky note saying “Islam, 622 CE.” Description of Activity…
Closing
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Taking It Home handout Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Download, adapt, and copy Taking It Home for all participants. Optional: Write the closing words on…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Building Bridges

Review today’s workshop with your co-leader. Did participants engage the subject with respect? Did participants bring specific expectations about or established emotional responses to Islam or Muslims? Were they able to process those? Did youth understand and respect basic Islamic beliefs? Which…
Faith In Action: Wisdom from the Islamic World
From Building Bridges

Materials for Activity Computer with Internet access The text of the six Unitarian Universalist Sources Optional: Puppets or materials for making puppets, or costumes, set pieces, and stage make-up Preparation for Activity Have stories available for the group to read and select for performance….
Alternate Activity 1: Engagement
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 90 minutes Preparation for Activity See general suggestions on Engagement in the program Introduction, under Implementation. Contact a local mosque and arrange a visit during communal prayers on a Friday evening. Ask if females are allowed inside the mosque and clarify seating…
Alternate Activity 2: What We Say Matters
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Writing paper and pens/pencils Preparation for Activity Practice saying “As salaam alaikum” (As sa-LAM ah-LAY-kum) with palms together and thumbs near your heart, inclining your head or bowing slightly. Hear a pr…; on the Islamic Dictionary website.
Alternate Activity 3: What's in a Name?
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Writing paper and pens/pencils or calligraphy pens, ink, and paper A computer with Internet access or a book with American English names translated into Arabic Images of Muslim art from the Arab world Preparation for Activity Visit Speak 7 or anoth…
Taking It Home: Islam 1: Peace by Surrender
From Building Bridges

Living life where you’re remembering God intentionally, consciously, just changes everything….
The Life of Muhammad
From Building Bridges

Arabia in the sixth century was dangerous and chaotic. [Leader: On a map or globe, indicate Arabian Peninsula, sweeping over Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Libya.] There were shortages of food and other goods, which led many to steal. A few people were rich, but most were very poor. The…
Handout 1: Pillars
From Building Bridges

The Five Pillars are considered the most essential instructions from Muhammad for how to live as a Muslim. Loyal Muslims are expected to follow the Five Pillars as closely as they can. Profess Faith—Shahada Shahada—Say with conviction, “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.”…
Handout 2: Islam Fact Sheet
From Building Bridges

Dates from: 622 CE in Mekka (in Saudi Arabia) Note: Muslims believe Islam is the only true religion and has no beginning; 622 CE is the date the Islamic calendar began, keyed to an important event in Muhammad’s life Adherents: 1.8 billion (80-90% Sunni; 10-20% Shiite) Ranking: Second, behind…
Leader Resource 1: Islam Background
From Building Bridges

The Islamic faith is in the news almost every day, yet it is widely misunderstood. Approximately 1.8 billion people, nearly one in four people on Earth, are Muslim, so it is important for non-Muslims to better understand this faith and its followers. Surrender and Peace. The name of the faith,…
Find Out More
From Building Bridges

The Internet offers enormous resources for exploring Islam. A good starting place may be the Islam and Islamic Studies Resources website provided by Professor Alan Godlas of the Department of Religion at the University of Georgia….

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 13: Islam 1: Peace by Surrender

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