ISLAM, ITS HISTORY, VALUES AND TECHNOLOGY

Steven Dutch, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
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The Islamic World is not at all a monolithic entity.

Nationality	Language Family
Arabs	Semitic
Turks	Altaic
Iranians	Indo-European
Indonesia	Malayo-Polynesian
Sub-Saharan Africa	Many Language Families

The Nature of Islam

Arabia in Mohammed's time

Various tribal religions
Jewish communities
Christian communities, usually splinter sects

Mohammed

Born about 570 in Mecca
About 610, claims to receive visions and messages.
These written down about 650 as the Koran.
Flees to Medina, 622 (hegira)
Return to Mecca, 630
Unified Arabia by the time of his death in 632

The Pillars of Islam

1. Creed
2. 5 daily prayers
3. Alms
4. Fasting during Ramadan
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
The title Haji denotes one who has made the Hajj
Some authorities add a sixth pillar:
6. Jihad or Holy War in defense of Islam.
Means active opposition to evil and injustice, more than literal warfare.

The spread of Islam

Inherent appeal

Simplicity
Equality
Rights for Women
High moral teachings

Jihad

Military skill
Good government
Tolerance

Conversion Incentives

Tax on "People of the Book"
Originally Christians and Jews, later Hindus and certain other groups as well.
Forced conversion of pagans
Trade - how Islam came to Indonesia and sub-Saharan Africa

Schism about 700 A.D.

Reasons:
- Succession to Caliphate (successor of Mohammed)
- Incorporation of non-Koranic elements into Islam
Shiites (mostly Iran) about 10%
Reject incorporation of non-Koranic elements into Islam; hence the term "fundamentalist" is fairly appropriate.
Sunnites about 90%

Effects of Islam

Preserve classical learning
Innovations in astronomy and mathematics
Link between East and West
- "Arabic" numbers from India
- Trigonometry also from India
Sanctuary for Judaism

The Islamic World Today

OIL!
Sunnite vs. Shiite
Secularism vs. Dogmatism
Russian Southward Expansionism
Began in 1700's. Temporarily(?) halted by collapse of Soviet Union.
Terrorism
Shiite is not a synonym for "terrorist" or "extremist."
Israel and the Palestinian Problem
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Created 27 Dec 1996

Last Update 20 May 1997

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