Thanksgiving (1).pptx

The Shared Meanings of Thanksgiving and the Feast of Sacrifice: Giving Thanks, Sharing, and Friendship Happy Native American History Month! What is Thanksgiving? Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1909 What is Thanksgiving?  In the U.S., we are taught American history through the story of “the pilgrims and t...

The Shared Meanings of Thanksgiving and the Feast of Sacrifice: Giving Thanks, Sharing, and Friendship Happy Native American History Month! What is Thanksgiving? Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1909 What is Thanksgiving?  In the U.S., we are taught American history through the story of “the pilgrims and the Indians”.  For the most part, the story we are taught in school is a partly true, partly fictionalized account of the encounter between the English and the Wampanoag, Algonquin, and Iroquois tribes that lived in villages in what is today Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The “Indians”, or Native Americans spoke many different languages, had many varied styles of dress and customs, and had differing political systems-some of which were patriarchal, some matriarchal. Thanksgiving  The wheat that the English brought with them to the new world did not grow well, and it was not enough to sustain them.  The Native Americans with whom the English came into contact taught them how to survive growing and cultivating new foods. Thanks to the Native Americans, the new European settlers were able to survive. A new land, new foods  The Native Americans offered dear meat, and beaver skins for making warm clothing  The Native Americans taught the Europeans how to grown corn, and other New World fruits and vegetables. They also taught them how to dig and cook clams, and how to harvest maple syrup.  The Native Americans also taught the Europeans how to build new types of housing, how to distinguish poisonous plants from plants that could be used as medicine. They also taught Europeans how to use fish as fertilizer for the soil. The First Thanksgiving  There are many instances of Native Americans welcoming , and helping Europeans adjust to life in North America, and Thanksgiving is also commemorated in Canada.  When we think of the first Thanksgiving, we generally think of the feast shared between Captain Miles Standish, Squanto, Samoset, and Massasoit and their immediate families.  When the food that Standish had ordered was not enough, the Wampanoag provided more food and they feasted together for three days. The First Thanksgiving  It is believed that the first Thanksgiving meal included the following items:  Five deer  Wild turkeys  Fish  Beans  Squash  Corn syrup  Corn bread  Berries Thanksgiving and New World Foods Native Americans and Berries  There are at least 47 berries native to North America. Berries were used in sauces that accompanied meat, and were dried and eaten in breads and as snacks, and as juices. Chocolate, a favorite New World food! November, American Indian Heritage Month Native Americans served in the U.S. military in some instances before they were recognized as full U.S. citizens. We have many reasons to thank Native Americans. Thanksgiving Day can be seen as a day to honor the many contributions of Native Americans, celebrate native foods, and to share with our neighbors and families. November, American Indian Heritage Month  Native Americans use November and the occasion of Thanksgiving to educate American children about the rich culture and traditions of America’s first inhabitants. Sam Houston and Native Americans Houston was orphaned and raised by a Cherokee chief. He later married a Cherokee wife. In 1829 he was made a Cherokee citizen. He was influential among the Cherokee, Osage, and Creek. He lobbied the War Department for fairer dealings with those Houston called "the Red People" and simply "Indians. The Sovereign Cherokee Nation Tejas is the Texas Cherokee band that were granted sovereignty in 1836 by Sam Houston, then President of the Republic of Texas. Giving Thanks, Sharing, and Friendship  In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we celebrate what it means to give thanks for the things we have that we might take for granted every day, to acknowledge just how much we really have.  When we realize the bounty of what we have, we remember the miracle of sharing with others.  When we share with others, we renew bonds of friendship.  These are the important commonalities that are a part of Thanksgiving, as well as Eid ul-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice. What is Eid ul-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice?  This is a major Muslim holiday that commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s love and devotion for God, for his demonstrating that his love of God superseded everything else.  Both in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions, the story of Abraham and his being asked to sacrifice his one and only son is a central story that is emblematic of the relationship between God and humankind. Abraham was asked to trust God, even when it was difficult to do so, to believe that everything comes from God. Abraham’s Sacrifice in the Qur’an  "Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)  Considered the first prophet of the monotheistic traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) Abrahams’ dedication to God and belief in God is demonstrated in his willingness to follow all of God’s commands, and to put his trust in God’s wisdom. Abraham’s Sacrifice in the Qur’an  Whereas polytheists had previously slaughtered animals believing that they were feeding gods and goddesses, the symbolic ritual killing of the ram in place of Ismail is meant to teach believers to share with others.  Most of the meat from the animals that are sacrificed on Eid ul-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) is given away to the poor. Muslims are instructed by God to be generous and to give from what they have to others who have less. Rather than a ritual where animals are slaughtered to please God, animals are sacrificed in order to share with the poor and to nourish those who may not have food. Hajj, or pilgrimage and Eid ul-Adha  One of the five pillars of Islam is performing the Hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca, to what is believed to be the first house of worship first built by Adam, then later restored by Abraham with the help of his son Ismail. Hajj, or pilgrimage and Eid ul-Adha  During the Hajj, Muslims remember the trials of Abraham. The physical hardships of performing the Hajj serve to remind Muslims to be thankful for the comfort they experience in their everyday lives, and to remember that the discomfort they may feel is not unlike the discomfort of the poor.  The conclusion of the Hajj is the sacrificing of animals whose meat is given to feed the poor. Giving Zakah, or alms and charity, is another of the five pillars of Islam. Eid Stamp  You may have seen the Eid stamp and wondered what it means. It is a reminder of the Thanksgiving one should feel for all of the spiritual and material blessings one has everyday that are celebrated on the occasion of Eid ul-Adha, or Kurban Bayrami as it is called in Turkish. How will American Muslims celebrate Thanksgiving? (from CAIR)  The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called on Muslims in that state to volunteer at a soup kitchen as a way to celebrate Thanksgiving and the end of the Hajj.  CAIR's Cincinnati chapter is giving food packages, including turkeys, to needy families.  The Muslims Against Hunger Project is organizing special "Muslims Serve" days to recall the ultimate sacrifice the Prophet Abraham was prepared to make and to offer thanks for God's many blessings.  As with Thanksgiving, Eid al-Adha is a time when everyone counts their blessings and offers thanks for friends and family, even if circumstances may not be the best in any particular year. Muslims are instructed to serve others…  Be good to orphans, the poor, and neighbors  To feed to poor for the sake of God, to not seek favor or reward for serving the poor  The Prophet Muhammad said "Help the weak among you, Help your neighbor, if he seeks your help, Feed him if he is hungry." Muslims Against Hunger Turkish American Volunteer Groups  Raindrop Helping Hands  Turkish American Women’s Association  Institute of Interfaith Dialog  http://www.raindropturk evi.org/helpinghands/ A big welcome to you from the Turkish American community of Houston!  We welcome you to this Thanksgiving meal today!  We are thankful and honored by your presence here, today and everyday!  May this be the first of many Thanksgiving meals we share with you as family, neighbors, and friends! “Afiyet Olsun!” (Bon appétit!)