Beautiful Signs, A Treasury of Islamic Wisdom for Children and Parents by Sarah Conover and Freda Crane (Boston: Skinner House, 2010). All rights reserved. Available through inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop....

This is the story of Azim Khamisa. His decision to forgive deeds many would consider unforgiveable has inspired and transformed people all over the world. Azim, an international investment banker, lived in San Diego, with his two children, a son, Tariq, and a daughter, Tasreen. One night in 1995,...

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...

Inspired by the ancient epic poem, "The Conference of the Birds," by the Persian Sufi Muslim writer Fariduddin Attar. Once upon a time, all the birds in the land decided they needed a leader for their community. A leader, they thought, would make their community stronger....

One of the reasons Muhammad was able to get people to listen to him was because, from a young age, he had proven himself to be wise and just. Here is an example of a problem he was asked to solve. Mecca found the walls of the holy building, the Ka’ba, needed repairing. So they fixed the walls.

Permission to use "The Dog at the Well" in this curriculum granted by Marilyn McFarlane, author of Sacred Myths: Stories of World Religions (Sibyl Publications, 1996). One day Muhammad told his friends and followers a story about a thirsty man, a well, and a dog....

Once the great Sufi holy man and wise fool Nasreddin Hodja was walking down the street when a group of women came running up to him. Obviously distressed, they cried out to him, “Help us, Hodja! Help us.”...

A retelling of a Sufi wisdom tale. Once there was a woman who prayed to understand what path she should take in life. One night, after praying, she dreamed of walking in the woods. The next day, she journeyed to the woods, searching for the answer to her prayers. It was quiet and peaceful....

I am an American Muslim. I believe in pluralism. In the Holy Quran, God tells us, ''I created you into diverse nations and tribes that you may come to know one another.'' I believe America is humanity's best opportunity to make God's wish that we come to know one another a reality. In my office...

Thich Nhat Hanh In Southeast Asia, the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, used the principles of compassion and nonviolence to campaign against the war in Vietnam. Hanh believed that people of faith, especially youth, couldn't remain silent in the face of social injustice. They must work together to...

A Muslim folk tale from Ayat Jamilah: Beautiful Signs, A Treasury of Islamic Wisdom for Children and Parents collected and adapted by Sarah Conover and Freda Crane (Spokane: Eastern Washington University Press, 2004); originally from Mythology and Folklore. Begin by saying, "Today we will hear a...

Once upon a time, in a land to the east, a Dervish holy man and their student were walking from one village to the next. Suddenly they saw a great huge cloud of dust rising in the distance. They stood and stared at a grand carriage, pulled by six horses approaching at a full gallop. Riding on top...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story "The First Supporter" A bell, chime, rain stick or other musical noisemaker Preparation for Activity Read the story, "The First Supporter," a few times. Consider telling it dramatically, rather than reading it from the page.

Adapted from a historical Islamic tale. Uthman ibn Affan was one of the very first followers of the prophet Muhammad, who started the Muslim religion. He was a very wealthy man who was known far and wide for his generosity....

Adapted from a Middle Eastern Islamic folk tale which is attributed to different countries, including Turkey and Syria.Mullah Nasruddin had been working in the fields all day long. He was tired and sweaty and his clothes and shoes were covered with mud and stains....