Introduction to Islam

Islam

• Founded by Mohammad around 600 A.D. in Mecca, with Gabriel and Abraham as important figures.
• Prohibits gambling, drinking, and religious pictures/symbols.
• Central tenets include the Five Pillars of Islam.
• Muslims believe in one God, Allah, and that Mohammad is the last prophet.
• Friday is observed as the holy day.
• Heaven is a key belief, aligning with Abrahamic religions.
• Practiced in countries such as Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, the UAE, and Iraq.
• Second largest religion globally, with approximately 1.5 billion followers.
• Important holidays include Ramadan, Eid ul Fitr, and the Islamic New Year.
• The Islamic calendar is distinct.
• The Quran, written in Arabic, is the sacred text.
• Impacts culture through the Five Pillars of Faith and varying interpretations of modest dress.
• Sharia law influences marriage and food in some countries, where religious and civil laws are not distinguished.

Sharia Laws and Muslim Clothing Traditions

• Modesty is defined as appropriate actions/appearances that vary by setting and individual interpretation.
• Female clothing options include the Hijab (veil), the Chador/Abaya (long, loose-fitting outfit), and the Burka/Burqa (full-body covering).
• Impacts on women may include limited mobility.
• The enforcement of modest dress can be governmental or personal.

Sunni vs. Shiite

• Sunni Muslims make up 85% of the Muslim population, while Shiites comprise 10-15%.
• Sunni Muslims number around 1.2 billion, mainly in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt.
• There are approximately 200 million Shiite Muslims, primarily in Iran, Yemen, and Iraq.
• Shiites adhere to stricter practices than Sunnis.
• Shiites believe the Caliph should be related to Muhammad, while Sunnis believe the Caliph should be a religiously devoted person.
• Share core Islamic beliefs, including the Quran and the Five Pillars of Faith.

Umayyad Empire

• Islam unified the empire, leading many non-Muslims to convert for spiritual reasons.
• Jews and Christians, recognized as "People of the Book," were tolerated.
• A well-trained army with camel cavalry and a unified law code based on the Quran strengthened the empire.
• Women's rights improved, including property inheritance and education at home.
• Damascus, Syria, served as the capital.
• The government was influenced by Persian and Byzantine structures.
• Expanded across North Africa and West Asia.
• The title of "Sultan" was used for rulers, Arabic was used to unite the lands.
• Facilitated the exchange of ideas and goods throughout the empire.
• ISIS aims to recreate this empire.

Abbasid Dynasty

• Marked a Golden Age.
• Baghdad, Iraq, was established as the capital by Abu al-Abbas.
• A vast trade network extended to the Tang Dynasty and West Africa.
• The government resembled Persian models, featuring a strong bureaucracy and a trained army of Turks.
• Introduced checks and credit.
• Cordoba, Spain, was a significant trade center from 755-1492 with Moors.
• Featured 70 libraries, 700 mosques, numerous schools, and the Alhambra.
• Mosques were decorated with Arabesque art, columns, minarets, domes, and arches, exemplified by the Great Mosque of Samarra.
• Islamic architecture standards were introduced by adapting various cultures.
• Significant advancements occurred in poetry and prose literature.
• "1001 Nights" was written in Arabic.
• Ibn Rushd, a philosopher, reviewed and reinterpreted Plato and Aristotle for the Islamic world.
• Al-Razi, a prominent physician, studied smallpox and measles, wrote numerous books, and emphasized clean air for patient recovery.
• His medical works influenced advancements in Europe and other Islamic empires.
• Ibn Sina wrote a comprehensive book on anatomy, etiology, and treatments, and made observations on diabetes and anthrax.
• His books were used as texts in Europe for centuries.
• Al-Kwarizimi introduced algebra and new numerals to European mathematics, laying the foundation for algebra.
• Al Hazen (Ibn Haytham) wrote "Optics," explaining light's behavior in different mediums and contributing to mathematics and the scientific method.
• The dynasty had a golden age marked by peace and progress in various fields, influencing later civilizations.

Arab Spring

• In 2010, a Tunisian man protested the government by self-immolation, sparking widespread protests and government overthrows in the Middle East.

African Geography

• Africa is the second-largest continent, comprising 54 countries.
• It features diverse climate zones, including the Sahara, Kalahari, and Namib Deserts.
• Desert climates lead to water scarcity, extreme temperatures, limited agriculture, desertification, and specialized biodiversity.
• Nomadic lifestyles and traditional knowledge enable human adaptation to desert conditions.
• Economic activities in deserts include mining, oil drilling, and tourism, alongside a rich cultural heritage.
• Desert climates require adaptation and resilience, causing isolationism, ethnocentrism, and cultural diversity.

African Culture

• Africa has cultural diversity with over 1.3 billion people.
• There are over 850 ethnic groups/tribes, including Ashanti, Hutu, Tutsi, Shona, and Zulu.
• There are over 1000 languages(Arabic, English, French, German).
• Lineage is traced through patrilineal or matrilineal descent.
• Extended families are common.
• 10% practice Animism, Christianity spread through the Roman Empire, and Islam is strongest in the north.

Significant African Civilizations

Kush/Nubia

• Was located along the Nile River, with ancient capitals at Napata and Meroe.
• Napata was a significant cultural/religious center with Iron production.
• The form of government was a Monarchy, ruled by a king or queen, and the main religion was Animism.
• The written text used was Merotic writing and language.
• Created 255 pyramids like Egypt, used precise metal work like razors and mirrors, created a water wheel to improve irrigation, and used sundials.
• Fell in 350 C.E. from an Internal rebellion and an Invasion by the kingdom Aksum.

Aksum/Axum

• Was located in Northeastern Africa (modern Ethiopia), with ancient capital Axum and modern Addis Ababa.
• Known for its architecture and trade with the Romans.
• The government was a Monarchy with kings such as King Ezana, who embraced Christianity. the main religion was Christianity.
• The language was Ge’ez written in a modified South Arabian script.
• Obelisks held inscriptions detailing the achievements of kings.
• Used stone cutting/carving to build temples and other structures, various advanced irrigation systems, had one of the first forms of minted coins made from gold, silver or bronze, and traded with the Romans.
• The civilization fell due to Islamic conquests of parts of controlled lands and the loss of control over the Red Sea.

Zimbabwe

• Located in Southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique), with ancient capital Great Zimbabwe and modern Harare.
• The main city was: Great Zimbabwe, which was a trade center.
• Had a Monarchy, and practiced Animism, but now it is Christianity.
• The written text was: Shona Language of the Bantu speaking group, and it Influenced Modern day countries that it controlled.
• Built stone structures without mortar, advanced Iron working, used mud bricks and granite slabs, and had an economy based on cattle husbandry.
• In the late 1400’s, the Rzwi group rebelled and took over great Zimbabwe. also, Europeans came in a took over.

Carthage

• Was located in modern day Tunisia, North Africa, with ancient capital Carthage and modern Tunis.
• The main city was Carthage.
• Practiced a mix of peoples version of Animism, and was a monarchy.
• Used the Phoenician alphabet, and Carthage meant "New City" in english.
• Was known for its large military, naval domination, Roman Influence, such as theaters, Aqueducts, and bathing canals, Irrigation systems, and Large Phonecian trade network.
• Fell in the Punic wars due to conflicts with Rome.

Trans-Saharan Trade Route

• Gold and salt were traded through parts of the Sahara by Camels.
• Salt was used as a necessary preservative.

West African Civilizations

Ghana

• In N.W. Africa, Mali, and Mauritania
• The main city was Kumbei Saleh.
• It was a monarchy, and practiced Animism, and later Islam.
• Women had a higher status compared to other places, gained money by controlling the gold and salt trade, made Iron swords, spears, and lances, and traded with China.
• Fell due to a decline in food production and was conquered by the Mali empire.

Mali

• Located in North west Africa and present day capital is Bamako
• Main city was Timbuktu, on the Niger river.
• The type of government was a Monarchy-King, called a Musa and practiced Animism, then Islam adopted by Mansa Musa.
• They were known for Mansa Musa’s Hajj, and Gold and Salt empire/trading routes.
• Fell when it was Conquered by the Songhai empire.

Mansa Musa

• Was a Muslim who took a Hajj from Mali to Mecca.
• Displaying his wealth put himself on the map.
• After spending so much gold there, he displaced the economy in Cairo (Egypt).

Songhai

• In Modern day Mali, Niger, and Mauritania.
• Built a Monarchy with a bureaucracy established by Askia Muhammed and practiced the religion of Islam
• Controlled and gained wealth from salt and gold trade until 1492.
• Fell after being conquered by Europeans, and many were sold into slavery, starting the African Slave trade.

Ibn Batuta

• He was a Muslim from Morocco who made a pilgrimage to Mecca, India, China, and the middle east.
• Was shocked by the causal interaction between women and men.
• Received food rather than gold or silver, and was disappointed.

Bantu “The People”

• Were Western African farmers and herders from Southeast Nigeria and Cameroon.
• They used subsistence farming.
• Developed Iron tools.
• They Moved to Sub-Saharan Africa due to desertification between 500-1000 A.D.
• They Formed smaller groups that developed their own languages and traditions in South Africa
• Over 60 million people in sub-Saharan Africa speak a “Bantu” rooted Language.
• It is a Cultural and linguistic community.
• Swahili, Shona, Zulu and Manyika are examples of the Bantu Language.

Ancient China (Han Dynasty)

• The main city was Chang’An.
• Emperor Wudi (141-87 B.C.), provided stability and order, expanded territory, built a great military, and started civil service tests based on Confucian ethics.
• It was considered a golden age.
• practiced Animism then Buddhism, and believed in Confucianism.
• They produced books on Zoology, Chemistry Botany, ship building, wheelbarrows, fishing reels, and rudders, suspension bridges, compass, and paper.
• Gained wealth from trade along the silk road.

Silk Road and Tang Dynasty

• The Silk Road was a network of trade routes connecting the Mediterranean Sea with East Asia.
• Rome, China, India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East traded along the Silk Road between the 2nd century B.C. and 16th century C.E.
• The Han government made routes safer for traders, and cultural diffusion spread ideas and goods.
• The route may have transferred the black plague over Europe and it was dangerous before the roads were safe.

Footbinding

• This practice, outlawed in China in 1911, involved breaking toes and heels to resemble a lotus flower.
• Toes were soaked and bound.
• 3 inches was the ideal foot length.
• Initially used by upper-class women, it spread to lower classes, indicating marriage eligibility.

Tang and Song Dynasties

• The Built the grand canal, linking the Haung He and the Yangtze River, Had a monopoly on the horse market, Gunpowder, Cultural diffusion with Japan and Korea, poetry and literature.
• Had a Golden age, with Silk road trade.
• Women had the most rights during this dynasty until 1949 with communism.
• They were known for Landscaping, painting, poetry, Pagoda Architecture, and moveable type
• and Foot Binding
• Women lost rights.

The Mongols (And Genghis Khan)

• Led by Genghis Khan, he united troops in Mongolia.
• Mongolia is North of China, and South of Russia.
• The empire stretched from Beijing to the Caspian Sea from 1211-1260
• They Conquered through Caverly, Catapults, ladders, and burning oil.
• Significantly spread culture and landmass, established trading routes, and promoted cultural diffusion and diversity.

Mongol Culture

• Adopted many cultures from Chinese, and Russian.
• 1250-1350 was is known as Pax Mongolica
• stability and peace were imposed.
• The increase in Trade along the Silk Road, goods, and Ideas went around.
• There was a mail system installed to communicate and have a superior and strong military because of their bows and Leather saddles
• The military was valued and important, and obedience was an expectation.
• It was a Religious tolerant and saved doctors, scholars, and artisans throughout the empire.

Kublai Khan

• He was the Grandson of Genghis Khan
• Conquered China in 1279
• He Founded the Yuan Dynasty (Golden age) and was a Non-Chinese dynasty
• United Mongolian and Chinese cultures, and completed a Mongol conquest of China
• Under his rule, art, and science flourished, trade expanded, and cultural relations were established with countries throughout the empire.
• He Embraced civil service system

Marco Polo

• Polo verified that the mongols were in power.
• His visits to China and the writing of the travels of Marco polo, increased awareness between East and west
• He served in Kublai Khan’s Court and Became bridge between East and West

Downfall and Impact

• Cultural diversity was allowed and promoted.
• There was an adoption of many different traditions.
• They Struggled to rule such a large Empire efficiently.

Ming Dynasty and Zheng He

• They Defeated the mongols/Yuan dynasty.
• Population dramatically increased
• Introduced Corn and Sweet potatoes from the New World
• and Had around 100 million people out of 500 million total population in the world.
• Zheng He made 7 expeditions with over 300 ships and 100,000 men who conquered, captured, and gained goods/ other kings.
• Compared to Columbus because they spread land goods, and culture, yet they were different because Zheng He had more ships and travelled to known places, while Columbus did not.
• Opened Zoos and ate new foods and Brought silk, tea, and chinese culture to foreigners and Collected tribute from areas in E.Africa and Asia
• The Voyages of Zheng He Increased Isolationism and Ethnocentrism, making it a Turning point in Chinese History.
• There were Opium wars in 1842 and british control over Hong Kong.
• The Royal family isolated themselves from the people in Beijing at the forbidden city.
• made Blue pottery, and repaired the great wall.

Korea

• Geographically, it is 75% mountains and is a Peninsula that is isolated.
• "Hermit Kingdom" was a Past nickname.
• Historically- Korea Was a tributary state of China, and a cultural bridge between Japan and China.
• Unique people and culture: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Animism
• They are known for Korean Food (Kimchi, Bean paste, mainly vegetables, Korean BBQ)
• Their Clothing (Handbook and Jeogori, upper class wore colors to show status)
• they had Civil service tests
• Many people work for LG, Samsung, Hyundai (Kai), the country is very clean and they love Baseball
• Koreans believe education is the key to success.

King Sejong

• Created a new Korean Alphabet (Hangul), Rain gauge, globe, sundial, court music, and metal type printing