Richard Saunders Secularism and Islam in the Republic of Turkey
Islam, Turkey & Snow
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Transcript of Islam, Turkey & Snow
MS. MITCHELLCULTURAL REVOLUTIONSANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL
Islam, Turkey & Snow
ISLAM
What is it?
Islam is a major world religion with approx. 1.3 billion followers
Islam is one of the world’s fastest growing religions
It originated in (Saudi) Arabia, in the city of Mecca
No central religious governing body
Islam, continued
Islam is Arabic for submission, surrender, obedience
Followers of Islam are called MuslimsMuslim is Arabic for “those who submit to
God”In order to be considered Muslim one must
practice complete submission to God
Qur’an
Qur’an = Koran.The Qur’an is the holy text
of Islam. It is a rule book.Qur’an is Arabic for
“recitation”It is meant to be read out
loud, and in reading it out loud, one is communing with God
Muslims believe it to be the direct message of God, as given to the prophet Muhammad.
Qur’an, continued
No chronology, more stream of consciousness in style
114 chapters, or, surasContains many stories that are known in
Christianity and JudaismEveryone’s interpretation of the Qur’an is their ownTherefore, there are thousands of different
interpretations of the Qur’an—ranging from very peaceful, to very violent
Muhammad’s teachings were about equality, empowering women and the poor
Muhammad
Muhammad is the only prophet of IslamBorn in MeccaAgainst the Islamic faith to show or create a visual
depiction of the prophetFelt disturbed by the inequalities paganism brought
about and often went to meditate in a caveOne day, while meditating, Muhammad heard from GodOver the next several decades Muhammad would
continue to commune with God and spread his wordThis was all done orally. No written version of the
Qur’an existed until about 20 years after Muhammad’s death.
Universality
Muslims claim that Islam is a universal religion, not handed down to a specific people, at a specific time, but to all people for all times.
However, verses of the Qur’an are very specific to the Arab people at that time Ex) The visions of heaven and hell in the Qur’an
appeal to a the needs and desires of a desert people
1. BELIEF IN THE ONENESS OF GOD2. BELIEF IN GOD’S ANGELS
3. FAITH IN THE BOOK OF GOD4. FAITH IN GOD’S PROPHETS
5. BELIEF IN LIFE AFTER DEATH
Articles of Islamic Faith
1. Belief in the Oneness of God
I. Belief in the Oneness of God No other God but God “ilah” = One who is worshipped
Includes infinite powers Others depend on him, he is dependent on no one Unseen and imperceptible
Allah = personal name of the Muslims’ GodLa ilaha illallah = There is no ilah other than
the One Great Being known by the name Allah
Effects of Belief in the Oneness
One who believes… Can never be narrow minded. His mind is as liberal as the
kingdom of God Has the highest degree of self-respect and self esteem Is modest and humble Is virtuous and upright Does not become despondent or broken hearted under
any circumstances Has determination because he works for and trusts in God Is brave Is peaceful and content Observes and obeys God’s laws
2. Belief in God’s Angels
God has angels and we must follow themAlmighty beings we can’t see = angelsWe are told to believe, and therefore disbelief
= denial of God
3. Faith in Books of God
There were books of God which came before the Qur’an (Books of Abraham, Torah of Moses, Psalms of David, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ)
God’s original words have been corrupted in these texts.
Qur’an is the last book. It is different from the others.
Why the Qur’an is different
Exists in original form. Not translated.Pure word of GodEvidence proved it was told directly to
Muhammad. Dates and times are known.“Live” language. Not dead.Universal in scope and audience.Comprehensive moral guide.Nothing obscene. Full of wisdom and truth.
4. Faith in God’s Prophets
Implicit faith in God’s prophetsThere have been over 124,000 prophets over
the history of the EarthMuhammad is the one true prophetMuslims are required to believe in all
prophets specifically mentioned in the Qur’an even if they exists outside of Arab countries
Not allowed to speak ill of other religion’s holy men
Why is Muhammad the One True Prophet?
Sent for the whole world and for all timesRemaining scriptures from other prophets
have been corrupted. Only Muhammad’s word is pure.
Other prophet’s words were amended by successors. Muhammad has had no successor.
5. Belief in Life after Death
Resurrection after deathDay of Judgment in the Divine Court
Everyone who has walked the Earth will be presented before God and be given final judgment
Reward/Punishment Paradise/Hell
Believing in this holds one responsible for his actions and determines his course of life
IBADATSALAT
FASTINGZAKATHAJJ
J IHAD
Prayer and Worship
Ibadat
Ibadat = acts of worshipAbd = submissionGod is master, you are the servantIslamic concept of worship is very wideActs of worship are the pillars upon which
Islam is founded
Salat
Daily prayer5 times a day, always
pointing in the direction of Mecca
Positions are positions of submission
Recitations show one’s commitment to the creator
Must cleanse before each salat
Symbol of equalityWhen possible, should be
done with others
Fasting & Zakat
Fasting during the month of Ramdan
From dawn to dusk, no food, no drink
Builds spiritualityEqualityCleanliness,
righteousness, purity
Zakat is charitable giving
Minimum of 2.5% of your net worth each year
Seeking to achieve a more balanced distribution of wealth
The more one gives, the better he looks in God’s eyes
Islam is the sworn enemy of selfishness and greed
Hajj
Hajj = PilgrimageOne in a lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca for
Muslims who can afford it. Those who cannot afford it are not faulted for
it.Thoughts should be concentrated on God. All words and actions during the pilgrimage
should be pure. No violence.
Jihad
Jihad = struggleWar waged in the name of God against those
who perpetrate oppression as enemies of Islam
Countries must help one anotherMuslims must help each other as a while
Divine Law
Divine Law
All the rules and regulations Muslims must follow
Determined by the Qur’an and the HadithHadith = collection of rules delivered by the
prophetEach version of Divine Law is delivered by
the prophet, for the specific people and time he preaches to.
Since Muhammad has no successor, we still follow his Divine Law
Principles of Divine Law
The Rights of God No other God but God Follow, worship, and obey him
The Rights of Self Forbids all which could injure a man’s physical, mental, or
moral being No drinking, no eating unclean blood (pork, beasts of prey,
poisonous animals) No nudity Work hard Sex in marriage Forbids suicide— “most outrageous and ridiculous
manifestation of man neglecting the rights of his self”
Principles of Divine Law
The Rights of Other Men Do not violate the rights of others No lying, no theft, bribery, forgery, cheating No gambling No murder No adultery, fornication, or “unnatural” sexual practices Rules regarding the family unit No mingling of the sexes Dress code
The Rights of All Creatures No hunting for sport Respect the land and God’s creatures
T U R K E YI R A NI R A Q
A G H A N I S TA NS A U D I A R A B I A
PA K I S TA NS Y R I A
Our Studies
BY ORHAN PAMUK
Snow
Facts
Published in Turkish in 2002, in English in 2004
Ka = central characterKars = setting of the storyKar = snow
Told in third person by an narrator who sometimes breaks the wall and speaks to the reader
Focuses on the suicide of some young Muslim women who were forced to remove their headscarves to attend school
Confused yet?
Plot Summary
Ka is a poet, who returns to Turkey after 12 years of political exile in Germany. He has several motives, first, as a journalist, to investigate a spate of suicides but also in the hope of meeting a woman he used to know. Heavy snow cuts off the town for about three days during which time Ka is in conversation with a former communist, a secularist, a fascist nationalist, a possible Islamic extremist, Islamic moderates, young Kurds, the military, the Secret Service, the police and in particular, an actor-revolutionary. In the midst of this, love and passion are to be found. Temporarily closed off from the world, a farcical coup is staged and linked melodramatically to a stage play. The main discussion concerns the interface of secularism and belief but there are references to all of Turkey's twentieth century history.
--wikipedia
Secular
Secular: not pertaining to religion; the separation of
religion from the state