Delving Into “The Other”

Appendix

NAME ______________________

Map of the Middle East

Appendix Page ii

Source: http://www.islamproject.org/education/United_States.html

United States: Muslim Population Circa 2000

Because the U. S. Census does not collect information on religious affiliation of residents in the nation, there are no exact figures on the number of Muslims in the country.

According to a national poll conducted in 2001, known as the American Religious Identity Survey, approximately 1,104,000 adult Muslims reside in the United States.

National Muslim organizations put the total number of all Muslims in the nation at about seven million, based on a survey that determined that two million Muslims regularly attend weekly Friday prayer services, and stipulated that the majority of Muslims do not attend such services.

The 2000 Britannica Book of the Year estimate for 2000 states the number as 4,132,000. Whatever the exact number, the Muslim population in North America is characterized by its diversity.

Some 80 nations are represented in the mosque communities of the United States, including a variety of traditions, practices, doctrines, and beliefs.

Approximately 24 percent of American Muslims are African Americans according to the American Muslim Council’s Zogby poll conducted in 2000.

Appendix Page iii

Glossary of Terms Found in Documents and Films Term Definition

Abaya Simple, loose over-garment, essentially a robe-like dress, worn by some women in parts of the Muslim world. Covers the whole body except the face, feet, and hands

Adhan Muslim call to worship. It is recited aloud in Arabic before each of the five daily prayers. Upon hearing the adhan, Muslims usually assemble for group prayer.

Ahl al-Kitab “People of the Book,” a term used in the Qur’an to describe those who believe in One God and in the revealed scriptures from God, such as the Torah and the Bible.

Akhirah Life after death. The Qur’an teaches that after life in this world, every human will be judged by God for the good and bad they did on earth, and receive just reward or punishment for their deeds.

Alawite Member of a Shi’ite sect inhabiting the coastal district of Latakia in northwest Syria.

Allah

Literally, “the God,” meaning the one God, who is all-Powerful and who created everything in the universe, also called Rabb, the Lord of Abraham and all other prophets. In the Arabic language Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews also use the term Allah for God. The Qur’an lists 99 attributes, or names of God.

Ansar Literally, “the Helpers,” they were Muslims of Yathrib who welcomed and aided the Muslim refugees from Makkah, who fled religious persecution.

Apostasy Renunciation of a religious faith and/or abandonment of previous loyalty

Ayatollah Title in the religious hierarchy , especially for Iranian Shi’ites, achieved by scholars who have demonstrated highly advanced knowledge of Islamic law and religion.

Ba’athist Member of the Baath Arab Socialist Party, the secular Arab nationalist movement, founded in Damascus in the 1940s to combat Western colonial rule

Burqa Outer garment worn by women in some Islamic traditions to cover their bodies when in public where only eyes are visible (also known as chadri or paranja in Central Asia)

Caliph Person considered to be a political and religious successor to the prophet, Muhammad, and a leader of the entire Muslim community.

Caliphate Islamic state, led by a caliph, whose power and authority is absolute

Chador Traditional garment of Muslim women, consisting of a long, usually black or drab-colored cloth or veil that envelops the body from head to foot and covers all or part of the face.

Constitution of Madinah

A document Muhammad formed as arbitrator to unify the different warring groups in Yathrib under his leadership. The document states that each group in Yathrib must respect each other’s rights and share the responsibility of defending the city.

Dar al-Islam Area of the world under the rule of Islam , literally, "the home of Islam" or "the home of submission."

Dervish Member of a Muslim (specifically Sufi) religious group who has taken vows of poverty and austerity. Group is known for its customs including a fast spinning dance that is done as part of worship

Emir Chieftain, prince, commander, or head of state in some Islamic countries

Fatwa Legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leader. Such rulings are the opinion of the jurist, and are not legally binding.

Five Pillars

Five basic acts of worship required of every able-bodied Muslim. They are (1) shahada, testifying to belief in one God and Muhammad’s prophet hood, (2) salah, performing five daily prayers, (3) zakah, paying the poor due, (4) siyam, fasting in the month of Ramadan, (5) performing the hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime.

Appendix Page iv

Gabriel/Jibreel Gabriel, the Angel who brought revelation to each of the prophets, or God’s messengers. Muslims believe that Gabriel brought revelation n of the Qur’an to Muhammad over a period of 23 years.

Hadith

Collection of traditions containing sayings of the prophet Muhammad that constitute the major source of guidance for Muslims apart from the Koran. the recorded tradition of the words and deeds of Muhammad, transmitted by his companions and later compiled into authoritative collections during the 8

th and 9th centuries CE.

Hajj

Annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, and a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey. pilgrimage to Makkah, one of the Five Pillars of Islam and the duty of every Muslim believer. Pilgrims perform rites that reenact the life of Abraham, his wife Hagar, and their son Ishmael over 4,000 years ago. It is required of every Muslim who is able, at least once in a lifetime.

Halal Any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law

Hegira/Hijrah Flight or journey to a more desirable or congenial place, such as Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina

Hijab

Literally, “a condition of modesty”. A scarf that covers the head and chest, which is sometimes worn by some Muslim women beyond the age of puberty in the presence of adult males outside their immediate family. The hijab is also a symbol of Muslim identity for many women.

Hudaybiyyah

The place where Muhammad made a peace treaty with the Meccans. Muhammad led his companions to Mecca to make the pilgrimage to the Ka’bah, but the Meccans prevented them from entering the city. The treaty allowed the Muslims to return the following year, and both agreed to peace for ten years. The Meccans eventually broke the treaty, leading to the Muslims’ peaceful takeover of the city.

Imam

Prayer leader of a mosque. -- Muslim leader of the line of Ali held by Shi’ites to be the divinely appointed, sinless, infallible successors of Muhammad. Imams may perform religious duties for the Muslim community, but the word does not mean “clergy’, since Islam has no established religious hierarchy or ordination of clergy.

ISIS Acronym for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria . A militant group who believes in ruling by Sharia law

Islam

Literally, “seeking a state of peace,” it is the religion of belief in One God, revealed through the prophets from Adam through Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, whose final prophet is Muhammad. Islam is the name given in the Qur’an, and refers to the state of peace achieved through submission to God. A Muslim is a follower of Islam.

Islamist Movement

Advocate or supporter of a political movement that favors reordering government and society in accordance with laws prescribed by Islam. Do not use as a synonym for Islamic fighters, militants, extremists or radicals, who may or may not be Islamists

Isra’ and Mi’raj

Night Journey and Ascension”) Muhammad’s night journey to Jerusalem and his ascension to the Heavens. According to the Qur’an and the recorded words of Muhammad (hadith), Angel Gabriel took Muhammad to Jerusalem during one night, through the Heavens and into the presence of God, and returned him to Makkah in the same night.

Jabal al-Nur

Literally, “Mountain of Light.” the small mountain outside Makkah where Muhammad often stayed in a cave to worship and meditate. Muhammad related that he received the first revelation of the Qur’an from God while on this mountain.

Jihad

Literally, “making an effort,” “striving,” or “struggling.” Jihad can mean the effort to improve oneself and resist doing bad deeds, a struggle against injustice, or defensive, limited warfare for a just cause, when peaceful means of resolution have been exhausted.

Appendix Page v

Jizya

Mandated by the Quran and hadiths, a required per capita yearly tax historically levied on certain non-Muslim subjects permanently residing in Muslim lands. Adult, free, sane males are required to pay the jizya while women, children, elders, handicapped, monks, hermits, the poor, the ill, the insane, slaves, soldiers, the indigent, and foreigners who only temporarily reside in the area are exempted.

Kaaba/Ka’bah Cube-shaped building in Mecca, the most sacred Muslim pilgrim shrine, containing the black stone believed to have been given by Gabriel to Abraham. Muslims turn in its direction when praying

Khadijah First wife of Muhammad, a wealthy widow who was older than he was. She was the first person to accept Islam after the revelation, and the wife who bore all of Muhammad’s children.

Khilafa/Khilafah Alternate term for caliphate

Khutbah A public sermon or speech held every Friday in the masjid before the midday prayer.

Koran/Qu’ran

The holy book of Islam, which Muslims believe is a divinely revealed scripture sent to Muhammad from God through the Angel Gabriel in the Arabic language. The Qur’an is the source of guidance in a Muslim’s daily life, and a source of knowledge about God and His creation. Muslims only consider the Qur’an authentic as read and recited in Arabic but translations may express its meaning as an aid to understanding, not as a substitute for the original scripture.

Masjid Another term for a mosque, the house of worship where Muslims gather to pray

Mecca/Makkah Ancient city in the Arabian Peninsula. Important religious center that housed the Ka’bah. At the time of Muhammad’s birth, Makkah had become an important caravan city on the trade route from Yemen to Syria as well as a religious shrine.

Medina Originally named Yathrib, its citizens welcomed the persecuted Muslim refugees from Makkah and accepted Muhammad as their leader.

Muhajirun Literally, “the Immigrants,” or Muslims who migrated to Yathrib to escape religious persecution by the Quraysh at Makkah.

Muhammad According to the Qur’an, he was the last prophet, or God’s messenger to humankind. Muhammad was born into the tribe of Quraysh in about 570 CE.

Qu’ran Variant spelling of Koran. Literally “the recitation”

Quraysh Powerful merchant tribe that controlled Mecca and its Kaaba and that, according to Islamic tradition, descended from Ishmael. Muhammad was born into this tribe.

Ramadan Ninth month of the Muslim year, when strict fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset.

Sahabah

Literally, “the Companions,” a title given to Muslims who saw, heard and knew Muhammad , . Because they shared in the development of the Muslim community, the Sahabah were models of piety, knowledge and love for the Prophet, recorded his words and deeds (the hadith), and transmitted the Qur’an to later generations after Muhammad’s death. They were also sources of knowledge for history and understanding the Qur’an and hadith.

Salafism Ultra-conservative movement within Sunni Islam that references the doctrine of taking "a fundamentalist approach to Islam, emulating the Prophet Muhammad and his earliest followers. They reject religious innovation, and support Sharia law

Salat/Salah Daily prayers performed by faithful Muslims five times a day

Sawm Ritual fasting by healthy adult Muslims from dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadan

Shahada Declaration of faith, normally recited in Arabic, that there is only one God and that Muhammad is God's messenger.

Sharia Law

Islamic canonical law based on the teachings of the Koran and the traditions of the Prophet, prescribing both religious and secular duties and penalties for law-breaking. Has been supplemented by legislation adapted to the conditions of the day, though the manner in which it should be applied in modern states is a subject of dispute between Islamic fundamentalists and modernists.

Appendix Page vi

Sharif Governor of Mecca descended from Muhammad; Arab chief, prince, or ruler.

Shaykh/Sheik Arabic term meaning “leader or chief”; a title of respect for scholars; a Sufi spiritual leader

Shi’ite/Shi’a

Member second largest division of Islam who regards Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad, as the legitimate successor of Muhammad, and disregards the three caliphs who succeeded him. Shi’ites represent about 10% of the world’s Muslims and live mainly in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, India, and the Persian Gulf

Sufism

Mystical Islamic belief and practice in which Muslims seek to find the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God. It consists of a variety of mystical paths to facilitate the experience of the presence of divine love and wisdom in the world.

Sufism Reoriented

American spiritual order created by Meher Baba in 1952 to help Western seekers who aspire to live the highest principles of divine love as the central focus of their lives. The order is both a school of inner development and a community of shared outer life and work. Its headquarters is in Walnut Creek, California.

Sukuk

An Islamic financial certificate, similar to a bond in Western finance, that complies with Sharia law. Because interest-paying bonds are not permissible, the issuer of a sukuk sells an investor group the certificate. The group then rents it back to the issuer for a predetermined rental fee. The issuer also makes a contractual promise to buy back the bonds at a future date at par value.

Sunnah The example of Muhammad’s sayings, acts, and habits

Sunni Member of the largest branch of Islam, who recognize the first four successors of Muhammad as the “Rightly Guided Caliphs”. Sunnis represent about 90% of Muslims in the world today.

Twelvers The largest branch of Shi’a Islam. Its adherents believe in twelve divinely ordained

leaders, known as the Twelve Imams.

Ulema Body of Muslim scholars recognized as having specialist knowledge of Islamic sacred law and theology

Umma/Ummah Arabic word meaning a supra-national community with a common history. Commonly used to mean the collective community of Islamic peoples. that shares common religious beliefs.

Ummayad

Second of the four major Islamic caliphates established after the death of Muhammad. Syria remained its main power base and Damascus was its capital. The Umayyads continued the Muslim conquests, incorporating area from the Caucasus to the Iberian Peninsula into the Muslim world. At its greatest extent, the Umayyad Caliphate covered 5.79 million square miles, making it the sixth largest ever to exist.

Vizier High official in certain Muslim countries and caliphates, especially a minister of state

Wahhabism Strictly orthodox Sunni Muslim sect founded in the 1700’s. It advocates a return to the early Islam of the Koran and Sunna, rejecting later innovations. It is still the predominant religious force in Saudi Arabia.

Wudu Ritual washing with water before performing the act of prayer or recitation of the Koran. It symbolizes purification.

Yathrib The original name for the city of Medina, the city in Arabia north of Makkah to which

Muhammad and Muslims from Makkah migrated to escape religious persecution.

Zakat Zakāt is obligatory practice of charitable giving for all financially able Muslims to ease the economic hardship of others and to strive towards eliminating inequality.

Appendix Page vii

St. Anselm’s Church Library Films About Islam and Middle East

NOTE: All of these films can also be viewed on Netflix DVD, Amazon Prime, and/or YouTube

Baghdad Taxi (52 minutes)

A few months after the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, a filmmaker decided to cross the country in a taxi. From the far north to extreme south, he passed through the cities that featured heavily in Iraq's dramatic recent history: It was a long and dangerous trip through a war-ravaged landscape. At every step of the journey, passengers from all walks of life and various religious communities board the taxi and talk about what life is like in Iraq today. As they share their daily lives, revealing their hopes and fears, a clear picture of post-invasion Iraq emerges.

Blood and Oil (112 minutes)

Why did the Ottoman Empire - now known as the Middle East become involved with World War I which was a European affair? This is a detailed account about the motivation behind the birth of the Middle Eastern nations and the insatiable greed for oil. The invasion by the British during WWI with the intent to quickly secure the city of Istanbul ended up being a long series of battles, heavy with loss of life, especially in Gallipoli and Mesopotamia. The British also manipulated the Arabs into helping them, with vague promises of freedom after the war

Such hopes were unrealized after the war ended. With the Ottoman Empire segmented into various western-controlled "spheres of influence" and little regard paid to cultural, demographic, historical, and religious considerations, the West sponsored the creation of such new nations as Iraq, Palestine, Syria, and Saudi Arabia; Negative consequences are being felt to this day. Only Turkey was able to resist.

Frontline: Rise of ISIS (54 minutes)

For those whose knowledge of the Islamic State is limited to televised beheadings, this film provides the background. This story focuses on the failure of the Shi’ite-led Iraqi government to share power with the Sunni minority and the inaction of the United States while Sunni militants exploited the situation for their own gain. The program’s value is as a primer, intelligently and compellingly elucidating the Shi’ite-Sunni divide and telling the story of Iraq, primarily, and Syria since the American military’s exit. relates to combat forces on the ground.”

Inside Islam – History Channel (92 minutes)

This film explores the history of Islam and illuminates commonalities among it, Christianity, and Judaism. Shades of difference between Islam's foundation and that of its counterparts prove more fascinating than divisive. It argues that the primary reason that people fear Islam is due to fundamentalists. It also discusses the Nation of Islam and the Arab–Israeli conflict. Online study guide is available at http://mrnevader.weebly.com/uploads/1/9/8/1/19812229/inside_islam_documentary_questions.pdf

Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think (55 minutes)

Many Americans equate the mainstream Muslim majority with the beliefs and actions of an extremist minority. But what do the world’s Muslims think about the West, or about democracy, or about extremism itself? Who Speaks for Islam? This film is the product of a 6-year study the Gallup Organization conducted with residents of more than 35 predominantly Muslim nations — urban and rural, young and old, men and women, educated and illiterate. It asks the questions everyone is curious about: Why is the Muslim world so anti-American? Who are the extremists?

Appendix Page viii

Is democracy something Muslims really want? What do Muslim women want? The answers to these and other pertinent, provocative questions are provided not by experts, extremists, or talking heads, but by empirical evidence — the voices of a billion Muslims.

Inside the Koran (94 minutes)

This film explores the history and current state of Islam. It also delves into the personal lives of the subjects, whose relationship with this holy Book reveals a complex, beautiful and often contradictory guide for humanity. Much like the Bible, the words of the Koran have been interpreted in many different ways.

Islam: Empire of Faith (160 minutes)

In three parts, this film tells the story Islamic power and faith during its first 1,000 years, from Muhammad's birth to the Ottoman Empire under Suleyman the Magnificent. Art, artifacts, and architecture and scholarly interviews of the rise and glory of Islamic civilizati. An online study guide to this film is available at http://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/eduk12plan.html

Life of Muhammad (180 minutes)

Retrace the footsteps of the Prophet in a historical journey with modern applications. In all episodes, the film jumps to modern day applications of related aspects of the historical narrative. It goes a long way to dispel misconceptions of Islam as a hateful, violent religion. 1) The Seeker: Examines Muhammad's birth and early life, his marriage to Khadijah, and how he received the first of the revelations. 2) Holy Wars: Shines a light on key events in Muhammad's life, including the Night Journey to Jerusalem, his departure from Mecca, the establishment of the Constitution of Medina that recognizes the rights of all people (Jews, Christians, and pagan tribes) living in that city, and the war with the Meccan tribes, with implications on the world today. 3) Holy Peace: Investigates key events during the latter part of the Prophet's life, including the introduction of a moral code known as sharia and the concept of jihad, explores Muhammad's use of marriage to build alliances, and looks at the key messages included in his final sermon. An online study guide for this film is available at http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/de01fec8-ead4-44ad-956d-264199688ba5/the-life-of-muhammad/

MacNeil-Lehrer: Examining Islam (60 minutes)

The News Hour looks at Islam in today's world through a series of discussions and conversations about the religion and the various ways in which it is interpreted and practiced. It also looks at Islam's political and cultural intersections with the secular world and other religions. This compilation of recent News Hour segments sheds light on issues ranging from Islamist extremism to Islamic religious observance in order to open-mindedly address Islam-related issues. PART TITLE DESCRIPTION

1 0:00

Observing Islam

Ray Suarez and three Islamic scholars, Aziza Al Hibri, Halid Abuhl al Fadel, and John Esposito examine Islamic practices and discuss the religion's future

2 16:45

Conversation Elizabeth Farnsworth talks with Saudi sociologist Fatina Shaker about life as a woman in Saudi Arabia the overall complexity of Saudi society.

3 29:35

Bridging Two Worlds in Turkey

Elizabeth Farnsworth interviews Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk, about the cultural split between Islam and secularism in Turkey

Appendix Page ix

4 40:00

Dialogue - In the Name of Islam

Ray Suarez leads a discussion among Professor Salim Mansour, Shadi Hamid, Asra Nomani, and Imam Shakr al Sayed about the relationship between Islam, moderate Muslims, and people who perpetrate terrorist attacks in the name of Islam.

5 59:36

Sacred Images - Religious Symbolism

In the wake of the rioting that followed the publication of controversial cartoon images of Muhammad in a Danish newspaper, Ray Suarez is joined by two religious scholars Fr. Terrence Dempsey and Ingrid Matson to come to grips with the use of religious imagery in the media.

Message (180 minutes)

This epic movie tells the story of the origins of Islam. The film has the appeal of most biblical epics: persecuted true believers, a revolutionary prophet scorned by the powers-that-be, and the miraculous triumph of faith. The director had one major hurdle; he couldn't portray the person or voice of Mohammad himself, as such things are traditionally forbidden in Islam. He tackles it by having characters address the camera-as-Mohammad, or having disciples step out of Mohammad's tent to repeat what the prophet has just said. The film stars Anthony Quinn as Muhammad’s relative.

Muhammad: Legacy of the Prophet (120 minutes)

This film tells the story of Muhammad, and how his example continues to shape the lives of more than 1.2 billion people. It takes viewers not only to ancient Middle Eastern sites where Muhammad's story unfolds, but into the homes, mosques and workplaces of some of America's estimated seven million Muslims to discover the many ways in which they follow Muhammad's model of behavior and values, and who feel deeply connected to what Muhammad did, said and believed. Through these inter-linked narratives, the film connects past and present, prophet and follower. The American Muslims that the documentary introduces include recent immigrants, Muslims whose families have lived here for generations, and American converts. Through a combination of commentary from Islamic experts and interviews with Muslim Americans, the program also addresses some of the difficult issues at the matrix of religious faith, cultural customs and Middle East politics. An extensive study guide can be found at: http://www.islamproject.org/muhammad/muhammad.htm

The Prize: Epic Quest for Oil Money and Power (60 minutes/episode)

The history of oil, the search for it, and the attempts to control its production and distribution from the 1850’s – 1990. Based on Daniel Yergin’s Pulizer Prize winning book. 8 parts, each part is about 1 hour long. Several parts deal with the Middle East. PART TITLE DESCRIPTION

1 Our Plan The story of the rise of Standard Oil, under the leadership of John D. Rockefeller, and how muckraking writer, Ida Tarbell, forced the breakup of this huge corporation

2 Empires

of Oil The Battle for control of the oil industry by large corporations, and western European countries

3 Black Giant

Oil companies search for oil in Middle East. East Texas oil boom gluts the market with cheap oil. Companies and governments finally work out a system of regulation and quotas to stabilize prices and production

Appendix Page x

4 War and

Oil During World War 2, each side works to secure a steady oil supply for their military machinery

5 Crude

diplomacy

Oil companies develop more sources of petroleum in the Middle East. Contrast between British and American methods and attitudes towards Arabs

6 Power to

the Producers

Oil producing countries establish OPEC and take power into their own hands

7 The

Tinderbox Middle East countries fight among themselves for power, while west tries to keep the oil supply stable

8 The New Oil Order

The future of oil production as of the early 1990”s

On Dangerous Tracks: The Baghdad Railway (100 minutes)

This documentary uses historical records and photographs to present an objective portrait of a major engineering project funded by Germany for the Ottoman Empire just prior to WW1. It illustrates the economic and political trends in the region that would ultimately be affected by, and contribute to the First World War.

Promises and Betrayals (52 minutes)

An intriguing look at how the British duplicity during WWI ignited the conflict between Arab and Jew in the Middle East. In 1915, when the Allies were besieged on the Western front, the British wanted to create a second front against Germany, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire. The British exploited Middle East nationalism by promising Arab groups their own independent states, including Palestine, while secretly planning to carve up the Ottoman Empire among allied countries.

The next British government under Lloyd George believed that "worldwide Jewry"� was a powerful force, and that the Jews in the new Bolshevik government could prevent the Russian army from deserting the Allies. This mistaken strategy, along with Zionist pressures, led to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which endorsed a national home for the Jews in Palestine around the same time that Arab leader Sharif Hussein, was promised that Palestine would be part of a new Arab state. This contradiction has contributed to the ongoing struggle for control of this holy land.

Searching for the Roots of 9/11 (53 minutes)

Pulitzer-Prize winning author Thomas Friedman analyzes Arab sentiment towards Americans and seeks to explain the factors that contributed and ultimately caused the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 in an effort to help Americans better understand the tragedy and prevent similar events from occurring in the future. Through a series of group and individual interviews, he probes the post 9/11 Arab mind.

Veiled Voices (58 minutes)

(many subtitles) Veiled Voices investigates the world of Muslim women religious leaders through the eyes of three women in Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. Filmed over the course of two years, Veiled Voices reveals a world rarely documented, exploring both the public and private worlds of these women. The stories featured in the film give insight into how Muslim women are now increasingly willing to challenge the status quo from within their religion, promoting Islam as a

Appendix Page xi

powerful force for positive transformation in the world. Each triumphs over difficult challenges as they carve out a space to lead—both in Islam and in their communities. An online study guide is available at http://www.veiledvoices.com/lessons

Women of the Holy Kingdom (50 minutes)

Filmed by a Pakistani woman, this movie provides a rare glimpse inside the nation of Saudi Arabia. The internal debate in Saudi society over the change in expectations and opportunities for women today is revealed through the experiences of Saudi women, especially around the issue of women being allowed to vote in elections.

Other Films about the Middle East and Islam TITLE SOURCE DESCRIPTION

A Dangerous Man – Lawrence After Arabia (104 minutes)

Amazon Video (rent)

Tracks Lawrence's involvement at Versailles, including his efforts for Arab recognition and the ultimately successful efforts to marginalize him and Faisal. The movie portrays Lawrence sympathetically-- a man of great intellect and many talents, but who was no longer of use to the Empire. Starring Ralph Fiennes

Andalucia: Legacy of the Moors (50 minutes)

Amazon Prime

Legacy of the Moors, including buildings, gardens, achievements in science and medicine and music

Ayatollah Khomeini: Holy Terror (46 minutes

Netflix Biography of the Shi’ite Leader of the Iran Revolution

Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain (117 minutes)

Amazon Prime

The triumphs and shortcomings, achievements and failures when Muslims, Christians, and Jews inhabited Iberia and built a society that lit the Dark Ages an online study guide is available at http://www.islamicspain.tv/For-Teachers/LessonPlans.htm

History of Christianity: The Church and the Crusades (83 minutes)

Amazon Video (rent)

Christians decided to "baptize" the Islamic idea of jihad. The result was the Crusades, but gradually the Crusading ideal was debased into mercantilist warfare

History of Christianity: Christianity and Islam (85 minutes)

Amazon Video (rent)

Islam drew disaffected Christians who preferred life under Islam to persecution from Constantinople, and the Empire saw the loss of half its lands to the new faith. But Islam's initial tolerance soon faded and Christians found life difficult

Honor Diaries (61 minutes)

Amazon Prime

Nine courageous women's rights advocates with connections to Muslim-majority societies who are engaged in a dialogue about gender inequality.

Appendix Page xii

Inside Iraq: The Untold Stories (Length unknown)

Amazon Prime/ Netflix

Freelance journalist made his way through Iraq, talking with civilians, the Iraqi military and the US Military. He got unbiased footage, opinions, and a slice of life as people saw it -- facts, which speak for themselves.

Iraq in Fragments (94 minutes)

Netflix

Collage of images and commentary by ordinary Iraqi citizens coping with the effects of war, political unrest, religious feuds and an unclear future.

Iraq: the Wind of Hope (91 minutes)

Amazon Prime

Emotional personal journeys of Iraq war refugees trying to rebound in the United States. Stories of great suffering...and the strength needed to build new lives

Islam and the Arab Empire (47 minutes)

Amazon Quick overview of Muhammad’s life - Koran - local traditions - Five Pillars of Faith- Splits in Islam. - The Arab Empire- Contributions to civilization

Islam vs. Islamists: Muslims Against Jihad (105 minutes)

Amazon Netflix

Clash between Moderate and Fundamentalist Muslims

Islam, Christianity and Judaism: In the empire of the Grand Turk (87 minutes)

Amazon Video (rent)

Ottoman Turks devised ways of co-opting their various ethnic and religious subjects. The system worked well until the empire grew corrupt, and the nationalism of the 19th century pit the various groups against one another.

Islam, Christianity and Judaism: In the Aftermath of the Crusades (80 minutes)

Amazon Video (rent)

Despite the Crusades, new ideas, inventions, manuscripts, and crops flowed from Islamic lands into Christian Europe.

Islam, Christianity and Judaism: First Encounters: The Prophet From the Desert (89 minutes)

Amazon Video (rent)

As Islam spread across the Mediterranean, many disaffected Christians welcomed the new faith. After about a century, the cordiality between the three faiths vanished and was replaced by hostility and persecution

Islam, Christianity and Judaism: Spain During the Reconquista

(85 minutes)

Amazon Video (rent)

The relationships among the three faiths during the seven centuries of the Reconquista varied wildly between toleration to persecution.

Islamic Wave (51 minutes)

Amazon Prime

Muslims Across the World

Land of Canaan: The Advent of Islam (77 minutes)

Amazon Video (rent)

Christianity fractured into local and regional churches, all of them hostile towards Constantinople. This hostility, and persecution by the government, made the provinces receptive to Islam.

Appendix Page xiii

Lawrence of Arabia: The Battle for the Arab World

(112 minutes)

Netflix

This is the documentary that tells the real story of TE Lawrence -- Courage, guilt, betrayal and triumph; this film has it all. How one man inspired an Arab army but could not prevent their betrayal. Filmed on location at the real sites, this film charts the real-life story of Lawrence without romanticizing the facts. The Sykes-Picot agreement is mentioned. An online study guide is available at http://www.pbs.org/lawrenceofarabia/

Lawrence of Arabia (216 minutes)

Netflix Amazon Video (rent)

The Oscar-winning epic of the Lawrence saga, starring Peter O’Toole, Omar Sharif, and Alec Guinness

Modern Warfare: Persian Gulf War (2 parts) (about 70 minutes total)

Amazon Prime/ Netflix

Military History of the Persian Gulf War

Modern Warfare: Iran-Iraq War (36 minutes)

Amazon Prime/ Netflix

Military History of the Iran-Iraq War

Modern Warfare: Lebanon War (31 minutes)

Amazon Prime/ Netflix

Military History of the Lebanon War

Paradise Found (103 minutes)

Amazon Prime

Journey of discovery across the Muslim world of inspiring architecture and treasures and Islamic art

Saddam’s Iraq (77 minutes)

Amazon Prime

What was life really like in Saddam's Iraq? The surreal and Orwellian nature of life under Saddam Hussein.

Saudis in America (60 minutes)

Netflix Portrait of what it's like to be a Saudi living in post-9/11 America that includes candid interviews

Sons of the Clouds: The Last Colony (81 minutes)

Amazon Video (rent)

Story of the Sahrawis, a people of the western Sahara, whose most basic rights are being disregarded in the name of political and economic gain.

Understanding Islam (35 minutes)

Amazon Short lecture on the Basics of Islam

Waging Peace: Muslim and Christian Alternatives (57 minutes)

Amazon Video (rent)

Peacemaking in both Muslim and Christian traditions. A peace camp for children Muslims and Christians making quilts for refugees Members of Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraq Many more

When the Moors Ruled in Europe (99 minutes)

Amazon Prime/ Netflix

Rise and fall of Islamic culture in Spain and Portugal. Discoveries have shed fresh light on the Moors who flourished there for more than 700 years.