After the decline and collapse of the classical empires, new societies rose to take their place. A series of these states were inspired by a new religion, Islam. From its origins in Arabia, Islam quickly spread to the Sassanid empire in Persia and even into parts of the Byzantine Empire. Muslims, or “ones who have submitted” to the will of Allah, spread their religious convictions but also drew inspiration from the Persian, Greek, and Indian worlds. Eventually the dar al-Islam (“world of Islam”) would cover a cosmopolitan world ranging from Spain in the west to India in the east.

Question

For your assignment today, you will work in groups no larger than 4 to create a PowerPoint on one of the topics provided at the bottom of these instructions. You will be graded on creativity, organization, and accuracy of the information. This assingment is due at the start of NEXT CLASS!!!


Steps to be Completed:
1. FInd your topic and organize your group together.
2. Discuss your topic and analyze the information together. Make sure you ALWAYS have a shared place where you keep, organize, and analyze the information together (ex: Google Doc)
3. Begin putting together your slideshow presentation
4. Make sure you have all the required elements.

Required Elements:
1. Design: Choose a creative theme for your Haiku Deck that lends itself well to your information.
2. Information: Make sure to adequately analyze all your required information.
3. Organization: You must break up your information into different slides. You will not have a lot of information on a single slide. Organize your information well enough so it is easily presentable.
4. Creativity: Use at least four different visuals to highlight and enhance your information.

Describe the core beliefs of Islam and how it was affected by other groups/religions.

Answer 1

PowerPoint Presentation Outline: Core Beliefs of Islam and Its Interactions with Other Religions

Slide 1: Title Slide

• Title: Core Beliefs of Islam and Its Interactions with Other Religions
• Group Members:
• Date:

Slide 2: Introduction to Islam

• Brief overview of the origins of Islam in Arabia.
• Mention the rapid spread to the Sassanid Empire and Byzantine Empire.
• Define "Muslims" and "dar al-Islam."

Slide 3: Core Beliefs of Islam

• The Five Pillars of Islam:
  1. Shahada: Declaration of faith.
  2. Salah: Prayer five times a day facing Mecca.
  3. Zakat: Charity and almsgiving.
  4. Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan.
  5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca.
• Visual: Infographic of the Five Pillars.

Slide 4: Concept of Allah and Prophethood

• Allah: The singular, all-powerful God in Islam.
• Prophet Muhammad: Final prophet; his life and teachings.
• Visual: Image of the Kaaba in Mecca.

Slide 5: The Quran and Hadith

• The Quran: The holy book of Islam; its significance.
• Hadith: Sayings and actions of Muhammad; additional guidance for Muslims.
• Visual: Image of a Quran.

Slide 6: Religious Tolerance and Interactions

• Islam’s early interactions with Judaism and Christianity.
• Concepts of shared prophets and scriptures (Abraham, Moses, Jesus).
• Visual: Venn diagram showing shared beliefs.

Slide 7: Influence of Former Empires

• Persian Influence: Administration, culture, and philosophies.
• Greek Influence: Science, philosophy, and art (notable figures like Al-Farabi and Avicenna).
• Indian Influence: Mathematics, astronomy, and architecture.
• Visual: Maps showing the spread of Islamic influence.

Slide 8: Islam and Other Religions

• The role of dialogue and conflict with surrounding religions (Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, etc.).
• The concept of 'People of the Book' and the treatment of non-Muslims.
• Visual: Chart comparing key beliefs of Islam with other religions.

Slide 9: Artistic and Cultural Synthesis

• Contributions to arts, literature, and sciences through interactions.
• Examples: Calligraphy, architecture (mosques), and literature (One Thousand and One Nights).
• Visual: Image collage of Islamic art and architecture.

Slide 10: Conclusion

• Summary of the core beliefs of Islam and its evolving nature through interactions.
• Explore the ongoing relevance in the modern world.
• Visual: Inspirational quote from the Quran.

Slide 11: References

• Include citations for sources used in the presentation.
• List of websites, books, and articles consulted.

Tips for Your Team:

• Collaboration: Utilize Google Docs or a similar platform for note-taking and research.
• Design: Consider using a color scheme that echoes Islamic art (e.g., blues, gold, and greens).
• Visuals: Look for images that are both relevant and respectful, especially when depicting religious concepts.

Creative Additions:

• Consider integrating short video clips or animations that illustrate key concepts.
• Use engaging transitions and effects, but ensure they're not overwhelming.

Good luck with your presentation! Focus on teamwork, and make sure to practice presenting together before the due date.