Geography Chapters 7 and 8

sunni extremist fundamentalist groups

The Taliban (Pashto word for "student") - A fundamentalist political Sunni movement that formed in Afghanistan in the early 1990s from groups that had fought against the Soviet invasion. - It is based on the ultra-conservative Deobandi movement in Pakistan and northern India that opposed British colonialism in the region in the late 1800s. Followers have largely been ethnic Pashtos rather than Arabs. - Provided protection and support in Afghanistan for Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda after the mid-1990s. Hosted Bin Laden's training base for the 9/11 plot against the U.S.. - The Taliban lost control of Afghanistan after the U.S. attack and occupation of Afghanistan in October and November of 2001. Bin Laden escaped to northwestern Pakistan where he was killed in a U.S. raid on May 1, 2011. - The Taliban continue to oppose the U.S.-supported national government in Kabul and still control much of southern and eastern Afghanistan and parts of northwestern Pakistan. - The group claims to have broken most of its ties to Al-Qaeda as it strives to become Afghanistan's governing political force. The U.S. reached an agreement with the Taliban in 2020 to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan if Al-Qaeda is not allowed to use Afghan territory to plot international attacks. Critics doubt this will be possible. Al-Qaeda - Arabic for "the Foundation" or "the Base" - A Sunni Arab group that fought against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s and then carried out jihad against oppressive Muslim governments such as Egypt. - While exiled in Sudan during the 1990s, the group refocused its strategy on forcing the U.S. out of Saudi Arabia and Somalia. Helped establish and train the radical Islamist group - Al-Shabaab in Somalia during that country's civil war. Responsible for training Somali forces that fought U.S. troops in the 1993 battle of Mogadishu (the famous "Blackhawk Down" incident). Also responsible for the bombing of the USS Cole while in port in Yemen in October 2000. - Led by its founder Osama bin Laden, the group joined with the Taliban and relocated to Afghanistan where it expanded its goals to creating global jihad against the U.S. and its allies around the world including Africa, Europe, South East and Central Asia. - Responsible for organizing and carrying out the 9/11 attacks against the U.S.. Al-Qaeda hijackers from Egypt, the UAE, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia carried out the Pentagon and World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. - Branches have expanded operations across North Africa and in countries such as Iraq, Palestine, Somalia, India, Bosnia, Russia, Spain, Kashmir, Lebanon, Yemen and Syria with the goal of establishing a worldwide Salafi caliphate. - Sophisticated use of social media for recruitment has diversified Al-Qaeda's followers which now include many non-Arabs worldwide. - Also known for bombings and attacks against Shia civilians in Iraq and other areas. - Continues to receive support from the disaffected Iraqi Sunni minority who mistrust the Shia-dominated elected government in Iraq. Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (known as ISIS, ISIL, and Daesh) - A Salafi jihadist militant group that also follows an Islamic fundamentalist, Wahhabi form of Sunni Islam. - Originally allied with Al-Qaeda, ISIS insurgents fought against U.S. forces in Iraq in the mid 2000s and today continue attacks against Iraq's Shia-led government. - Has controlled much of northern and western Iraq since 2014 using military tactics and weapons captured in Iraq. - Has joined with Sunni forces in Syria's civil war fighting both President Assad's Alawite-led government army and anti-government rebel groups. (Alawites are a small Shia sect) - ISIS goal is to establish a global caliphate with a functioning ISIS-controlled government under Salafi-interpreted Sharia law. - Was initially populated by Iraqi and Syrian followers, but using sophisticated social media recruitment, the group has attracted disaffected young persons from the U.S., Europe, Australia and other parts of the world. - Uses internet videos to show extremely brutal murders of captured persons including NGO workers, journalists, captured Iraqi, Kurdish and Syrian military personnel, Shia Muslim and Christian civilians, as well as Sunni Muslim civilians who are deemed disloyal. - ISIS activities have worsened the refugee crisis in the region caused by the Syrian civil war. - Has branches also operating in Lebanon, Libya, Yemen, Nigeria and Egypt.

Changing Trends in Religious Affiliation from 2010-2050:

middle east and north africa

the three regional schools of buddhism

vajrayana, mahayana, and Theravada

Mecca, Saudi Arabia The Ka'aba - The Holiest Place in Islam

- According to Islamic tradition, God ordained a place of worship on Earth to reflect the house in heaven. - According to the Qur'an, the Ka'aba was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael, and this was the site where Abraham fulfilled God's test to see if he would be willing to sacrifice his son Ishmael. - (Jewish tradition holds that this sacrificial place was on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and that Abraham offered his younger son, Isaac, instead.)

Hinduism: Ahimsa

- Ahimsa: Hindu and Buddhist doctrine expressing belief in the sacredness of all living creatures and urging the avoidance of harm and violence against both humans and animals - Forms the foundation for practicing vegetarianism

the temple mount

- There is currently a mosque on the temple site, and the only part of the temple complex still standing is the outer western wall. - Ever since its destruction in 70 AD, Jews have always prayed that God will allow for the rebuilding of the Temple. This prayer is a formal part of the daily Jewish prayer services. - Included in the three-times daily Jewish prayers are fervent pleas that God return the Jewish exiles to the Land of Israel, rebuild the Third Temple, and bring the messianic era with the arrival of Jewish Messiah. - Orthodox and Conservative Judaism anticipate the Third Temple being built in the future.

Krishna

A god associated with divine playfulness; a reincarnation of Vishnu

halal foods

Special foods prepared according to Islamic law, often eaten during Ramadan

buddhism

The Buddha - Prince Siddhārtha Gautama Artistic representations of the "Enlightened One" - Biographical depictions of his life, travel and teachings - Common in the Theravada Buddhist regions, especially Sri Lanka, Thailand and Cambodia The Buddha - Statues of Prince Siddhartha Gautama are used for meditation - Multiple postures of the "Enlightened One" exist - Only four are permitted: Seated (most common, in meditation, with legs crossed/feet up) Standing (a benediction or appeal for peace) Walking (in Thailand and Laos) Reclining (reaching his final stage of Enlightenment, or "nirvana," before death) - Symbolic elements - Wearing robe - Symbol of humility Six original hand gestures ("mudrā" ) differ in meaning: - Touching the earth (the most common - palm down; "calling the Earth to witness") - Meditation (palms upward) - Charity (hand out, giving or receiving charitable offerings) - Absence of fear (hand up, palm out, a benediction of protection or an appeal for calm, reassurance) - Reasoning and exposition (hand up with circle made with thumb and index finger; an appeal for peace, reason) - Setting the wheel in motion (both hands with fingers in circles, representing teaching, preaching, and turning the Wheel of Dharma) - Mudrā often have regional affiliations - Modified "both hands up" (absence of fear) form is common in Laos and Thailand Wheel of Dharma - A symbol of dharma and the Buddha's teaching of the path to enlightenment - The universally recognized symbol of Buddhism Stupa - A Theravada Buddhist monument housing relics of the Buddha or other holy figures - The basic form originated in India as a circular structure, often set on a base - Theravada Buddhist monks built these rounded stupas in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos and Cambodia Famous Stupas - Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath, northeastern India - Believed to be the oldest Stupa in existence - A Theravada Buddhist stupa Famous Stupas - Sri Lanka's largest stupa in the sacred city of Anuradhapura - One of the largest brick structures in the world - Also a Theravada Buddhist stupa Reasons for Building Stupa: - Building a stupa is considered extremely beneficial, leaving very positive karmic imprints in mind. Future benefits from this action will result in fortunate rebirths. - Worldly benefits will be the result, such as being born in rich family, having a beautiful body, a nice voice, and be attractive and bringing joy to others and getting a long and happy life, where ones wishes are fulfilled quickly. - On the absolute level, one will also be able to reach enlightenment, the goal of Buddhism, quickly. Effects of Destroying Stupa: - Destroying a stupa on the other hand, is considered an extremely negative deed, similar to killing - Such an action is said to create massive negative karmic imprints, leading to future problems - It is said this action will leave the mind in a state of paranoia after death has occurred, leading to totally unfortunate rebirths Pagodas and Chorten (Mahayana and Tibetan) - In China, Japan and Korea, the multi-tiered pagoda evolved from these stupa, and in many countries, miniature stupas are included on Buddhist altars - In Tibet, stupas are known as Chorten, and they consist of a square foundation symbolizing the earth, a dome symbolizing water, and thirteen tapering steps of enlightenment symbolizing the element of fire - These steps lead to a stylized parasol, the symbol of wind, which is topped in the ethereal sphere by the well-known 'twin-symbol' uniting sun and moon, which is the shimmering crown of the Chorten. Famous Pagodas - Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue, Vietnam, was the home of Mahayana Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc, who burned himself to death in Saigon in 1963 to protest the South Vietnamese government's persecution of Buddhists - The Thien Mu Pagoda had long been the hub of intellectual and political Buddhist activity in Vietnam Famous Pagodas - The wooden five-story pagoda of Hōryū-ji in Japan - Built in the 7th century, it is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world Famous Places - Angkor Wat Temple - In Angkor, Cambodia Originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu in the 12th century - Became a Theraveda Buddhist temple in the late 13th century when the king of the Khymer Empire converted to Buddhism - Now a major tourist attraction and the national symbol of Cambodia

Hinduism: a proverb

There is nothing noble about being superior to some other man. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self.

distribution of buddhism - 2020

map

Samarra, Iraq: The Al Askari Mosque

- An explosion occurred at Al Askari Mosque on February 22, 2006, The explosion is believed to have been caused by a bomb planted by "Al-Qaeda in Iraq." - Although no injuries occurred in the blast, the mosque was severely damaged and the bombing resulted in violence over the following days. - Over 100 dead bodies with bullet holes were found on February 23, and at least 165 people are thought to have been killed. Dozens of other Sunni and Shia mosques were destroyed in retaliatory attacks throughout Iraq.

the two eids (festivals) annual holidays

- Eid ul-Fitr celebrates the completion of Ramadan - Eid ul-Adha celebrates the completion of the Hajj (Eid is pronounced "Eeed")

religious identity in India in 2020

- Hindu 78.9% - Muslim 15.4% - Christian 2.4% - Sikh 1.7% (77% in state of Punjab) - Other 2.0%

shia muslim holy shrine cities

- Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem are generally recognized as the three most important sites in Islam according to most Sunni interpretations of scriptures in the Qur'an and Hadith. - Shia Muslims consider three other places to be equally significant to Jerusalem: - Karbala, Iraq - Najaf, Iraq - Samarra, Iraq Read the PowerPoint on Shia belief to understand the importance of these three cities as pilgrimage sites!

Shia Muslims

- Shia Muslims make up a majority of the total population in four countries: Iran, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and Iraq - Most of the world's Shias (between 68% and 80%) live in four countries: Iran, Pakistan, India, and Iraq - In the Islamic heartland from Pakistan to Lebanon, there are nearly an equal number of Shias as there are Sunnis - Surrounding the geo-strategically important Persian Gulf, Shias make up 80% of the population

the western wall (wailing wall)

- The Western Wall is holy to the Jewish people because it is thought to be the only remnant of the Temple in Jerusalem and the one wall located closest to the Holy of Holies, the holiest site in Judaism. - Jews have prayed at the Western Wall for hundreds of years, believing that the Divine Presence rests upon it and that the gate of heaven is situated directly above it. - The tradition of placing a prayer written on a small piece of paper into a crack in the Wall goes back hundreds of years.

hinduism: the vedas

- The religious scriptures known as the Vedas, serve as the most widely acknowledged basis for Hinduism - The Vedas are said to be the eternal truths of the religion and are upheld as the supreme authority for Hinduism.

Hinduism: temples

The "Mother Temple of Bali" in Indonesia

mecca, Saudi arabia the Ka'aba - the holiest place in islam

- According to Islamic tradition, God ordained a place of worship on Earth to reflect the house in heaven. - According to the Qur'an, the Ka'aba was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael, and this was the site where Abraham fulfilled God's test to see if he would be willing to sacrifice his son Ishmael. - (Jewish tradition holds that this sacrificial place was on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and that Abraham offered his younger son, Isaac, instead.)

hinduism: origins

- Hinduism has its origins in such remote past that it cannot be traced to any one individual. - Some scholars believe that Hinduism must have existed as long ago as 10,000 B.C. and that the earliest of the Hindu Vedas (scriptures) - The Rig Veda - was composed well before 6,500 B.C. - There is no "one Hinduism," so it lacks any unified system of beliefs and ideas. - Hinduism is a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions, in which the prominent themes include: Dharma (ethics and duties) Samsara (rebirth) Karma (right action) Moksha (liberation from the cycle of Samsara)

Shia Muslim Holy Shrine Cities

- Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem are generally recognized as the three most important sites in Islam according to most Sunni interpretations of scriptures in the Quran and Hadith. - Shia Muslims consider three other places to be equally significant to Jerusalem as pilgrimage sites: - Karbala, Iraq - Najaf, Iraq - Samarra, Iraq

Islam's First Century

- The Prophet Mohammed dies in 632 AD - Four undisputed Caliphs (rulers) follow: Abu Bakr 632-634 Umar 634-644: conquers Arabia, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, North Africa - spreads Islam Uthman 644-656 - Ali 656-661: Mohammed's cousin, assassinated by Uthman's relatives - Then Ali's death leads to split: Shiites: believed Caliphs should have family lineage to Mohammed - Sunnis: believed Caliphs should be elected from the secular leadership, not from descendants of Mohammed

the Hindu trinity

Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer)

The 14th and current Dalai Lama

Tenzin Gyatso (born 1935)

the Shia cresecent

The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 upset the balance of power in the Middle East, strengthened Iran's influence in the region and led to: - The destruction of Saddam Hussein's Baathist (an Arab-nationalist / socialist party) Sunni minority regime - The installation of Shia-led government via national elections The Iraqi's 65-70% Shia population majority assures Iraq of a having a permanent Shia-led government if elections are conducted fairly

Changing Trends in Religious Affiliation from 2010-2050:

europe

Changing Trends in Religious Affiliation from 2010-2050:

united states

Tibetan Buddhism in film and literature

- "A landmark in travel writing, this is the incredible true story of Heinrich Harrer's escape across the Himalayas to Tibet, set against the backdrop of the Second World War. - Heinrich Harrer, already one of the greatest mountaineers of his time, was climbing in the Himalayas when war broke out in Europe. He was imprisoned by the British in India but succeeded in escaping and fled to Tibet. Settling in Lhasa, the Forbidden City, where he became a friend and tutor to the Dalai Lama, Heinrich Harrer spent seven years gaining a more profound understanding of Tibet and the Tibetans than any Westerner before him. - More recently made into a film starring Brad Pitt, Seven Years in Tibet is a stunning story of incredible courage and self-reliance by one of the twentieth century's best travel writers."

two christian calendars

- 1. The Julian Calendar: A reformed Roman calendar that dates to 45 BC ("Julian" refers to Julius Caesar who ordered it). Accepted by the Western world until 1582. Had problems with leap years/days, based on solar cycles. - 2. The Gregorian Calendar: A reformed calendar commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 to improve both the lunar and solar based components. Most Western countries accepted it and it is used today as the secular world's universal calendar. The Eastern Orthodox Churches chose to keep some of their holidays fixed to the Julian Calendar - There is a 13 day difference between the two calendars (Julian is 13 days behind the Gregorian) - Most Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day 13 days after Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Protestants - Eastern Orthodox Christmas Day is usually January 7th every year - Most Eastern Orthodox countries accepted the solar revisions of the Gregorian calendar but not the lunar ones, thus holy days that are based on lunar cycles ("moveable feasts" such as Easter) are a variable number of days after the Gregorian-based ones - Western Christians (Roman Catholics and most Protestants) who follow the Gregorian calendar celebrate Easter on the Sunday following the "ecclesiastical" 1st full moon after the spring equinox (determined by tables calculated between March 22 and April 25). Easter can be before or during the Jewish Passover - For most Eastern Orthodox Christians, Easter is 1 to 5 weeks after the Gregorian Easter date because it must take place after the Jewish Passover in order to maintain the Biblical sequence of events in Jesus' last days - There are minor variations in some smaller Orthodox communities

Medina, Saudi Arabia Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The "Mosque of the Prophet" - the 2nd holiest site in Islam)

- According to Muslim tradition, this was once the site of Mohammed's house after he fled from Mecca to Medina, and it was here that he built the first mosque. - Mohammed's tomb is also located inside the mosque grounds. - The cities of Mecca and Medina only allow Muslims to enter their limits.

2021 muslim holidays

- April 12 - May 12, 2021 Ramadan (Islamic month of Fasting) Ramadan is an Islamic month during which Muslims (believers in Islam) fast daily from dawn to sunset as part of an effort towards self-purification and moral excellence. Ramadan is believed to be the month, in which, the first verses of the Quran were revealed by God to Mohammed between 610 and 633. - May 13, 2021 Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast) Holiday occurring after the completion of Ramadan, lasting three days during which Muslims celebrate with special prayers followed by community celebrations. - July 17 - August 22, 2021 Hajj (Annual Pilgrimage to Mecca) The Hajj, or annual pilgrimage to Mecca, consists of several ceremonies meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, such as submission, brotherhood, and unity, and to commemorate the trials of the Prophet Abraham and his family. Required once in a Muslim's lifetime, over two million Muslims perform the pilgrimage annually. - July 19, 2021 Eid-ul-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice) Holiday occurring on the third day of the Hajj, lasting four days. It commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, who was replaced by a lamb.

balinesian hinduism

- Bali is an Indonesian island, the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island. - With a population of 3,900,000 in 2010, Bali is home to the most of Indonesia's small Hindu minority. - While the country is overwhelmingly Muslim, the Balinesian Hindu community has been allowed to coexist for centuries. - Trade and immigration from South Asia has occurred for well over 1,200 years, so Hinduism has long been a cultural influence in the region - 84% of Bali's population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, while most of the remainder follow Islam. - The caste system, although present in form, was never rigidly applied in Bali. - Bali is also the largest tourist destination in Indonesia and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music. - There are ten major Hindu temple complexes on Bali and these are known locally as Pura.

the symbol of islam

- Because the crescent moon was a symbol of the Ottoman Empire and its capital city of Istanbul, it has become a functional, universal symbol of Islam - While some feel that Arabic calligraphy of the Qur'an's text is a more appropriate representation, the crescent moon has become a dominant and widely-accepted symbol of Islam - Mosques often have crescent moons on spires, but it is not required - It is used on many national flags of Muslim majority countries and by international organizations representing Muslim people - Red crescents are used to identify medical facilities in Muslim countries

The Complexities of Hindu Dietary Preferences

- Brahmin caste members traditionally practiced vegetarianism, and today more than half of Brahmins do not eat any meat - Depending on region and caste, between 20 - 40% of all Hindus are vegetarian - Lacto-vegetarianism is often preferred, which allows milk-based foods and all other non-animal derived foods, but excludes eating of meat and eggs. - Butter, cheese, milk and yogurt are usually major food items preferred by Indians and are popular in most diets regardless of religion - Hindus who do eat meat and eggs usually choose to consume small amounts and often prefer fish, seafood, chicken, goat or lamb that has been humanely slaughtered - Most Indian states prohibit slaughter of cattle and beef is not normally sold in markets - Pork is not explicitly prohibited in Hinduism, but it has largely been excluded because of Muslim bans on its consumption. Goa, a southern city originally colonized by the Portuguese and having a larger community of Christian residents, is the only region where pork is commonly consumed in India - Non-Hindus are able to buy and privately consume imported beef, but higher costs and cultural etiquette are limiting factors - The smells of cooking beef and pork are considered unpleasant and even sickening to some non-consumers - Most restaurants and international fast-food chains in India do not sell any pork or beef items - Regional food in India is very diverse, but a few common items can be identified: - Regardless of meat preferences, many Indian meals include rice, dal (lentils), chickpeas, beans, split peas, vegetables, yogurt, and milk. - Vegetable-based stews served over rice are common, but non-beef/pork meats can be added - Roti is a traditional baked flatbread - Spices are universally revered across India and are critical components of most meals. Women pass spice boxes to their daughters when they marry While ingredients will vary based on family and regional preferences, these items are generally considered essential: - cumin seeds (a primary spice used in North Indian cooking) - Mustard seeds (a primary spice used in South Indian cooking) - Turmeric powder - Garam Masala - a blend of various spices that are dry roasted, cooled, and ground - families have their own special blends. - Common ingredients are cinnamon, mace, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, bay leaf. - Coriander powder - Red Chili Powder or Cayenne - Tikka masala: Cumin, coriander, ginger, mint, chili powder, paprika, garlic and garam masala.

Eid ul-Fitr - After Ramadan "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast"

- Each day during Ramadan, observant Muslims usually eat a full breakfast before sunrise, and then abstain from drinking or eating anything (including water) until after sunset. - After sunset and prayers, they eat a hearty supper known as an Iftar with friends and family. Non-Muslims are often invited to attend the meal as an act of generosity and friendship. - Eid ul-Fitr commemorates the end of Ramadan, the month of daily fasting. - For Muslims, Eid ul-Fitr is a joyful celebration of the achievement of enhanced piety. It is a day of forgiveness, moral victory, peace of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity, and a time of giving and sharing. - Muslims are not only celebrating the end of fasting, but thanking God for the help and strength that they believe He gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control.

Eid ul-Adha - After the Hajj The "Festival of the Sacrifice"

- Eid ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of the lunar Islamic calendar, after the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. - This is approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan. - Once the Hajj has been performed, Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Adha, three days of celebration throughout the Muslim world. - Eid ul-Adha is also a commemoration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael for God. - Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Abraham's sacrifice. The meat is equally distributed amongst their neighbors, relatives, and the poor and hungry.

sunni wahhabism

- For more than two centuries, Sunni Wahhabism has been a small but powerful Islamist tradition in the Arabian Peninsula. - The Saudi Arabian royal family established Wahhabism as the state religion in 1932, and Wahhabis have significant influence and presence in United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait. - It is an austere, ultra-conservative form of Islam that insists on a literal interpretation of the Quran. - Its extreme restrictions on women are unique and considered un-Islamic by more tolerant Muslims around the world. - The majority of Muslims in the rest of the world choose not to practice this form of Islam. - It is believed that only about 25% of Saudis actually embrace Wahhabism, while the rest have no choice but to comply with the government's requirement to obey the rigid doctrine enforced through its interpretation of Sharia. - Strict Wahhabis believe that all those who don't practice their form of Islam are heathens and enemies, including Shia Muslims. - Wahhabism's explosive growth began in the 1970s when Saudi charities started funding Wahhabi schools (madrassas) and mosques around the world, from Pakistan to the U.S.. - Critics say that Wahhabism's rigidity has led it to misinterpret and distort Islam, pointing to Islamist extremists such as Osama bin Laden and the Taliban who based their beliefs on Wahhabism.

Hinduism: The Supreme Being Concept

- Hindus declare that there is only one Supreme Being and He is the God of all religions. - Hindus view the cosmic activity of the Supreme Being as comprised of three tasks: creation, preservation, and dissolution and recreation. - Hindus associate these three cosmic tasks with the three deities: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. - Lord Brahma brings forth the creation and represents the creative principle of the Supreme Being - Lord Vishnu maintains the universe and represents the eternal principle of preservation Lord Shiva represents the principle of dissolution and recreation - These three deities together form the Hindu Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are not three totally independent deities. They represent the same power (the Supreme Being), but in three different aspects or roles in the universe. Believers can choose which deity to worship depending on family or personal preference. - The Supreme Being or God, the personal form of the Ultimate Reality, is conceived by Hindus as having various aspects - A Hindu deity represents a particular aspect of the Supreme Being - The gods and goddesses of Hinduism amount to thousands or even millions, all representing the many aspects of Brahman. The faith is characterized by the multiplicity of deities. - The Hindu worship of deities can be described as monotheistic polytheism and not simple polytheism

the mandala

- In ancient Tibet, as part of a spiritual practice, monks created intricate mandalas with colored sand made of crushed semiprecious stones. The tradition continues to this day as the monks travel to different cultures around the world to create sand mandalas and educate people about the culture of Tibet. - The creation of a sand mandala requires many hours and sometime days to complete. Each mandala contains many symbols that must be perfectly reproduced each time the mandala is created. - Mandalas are usually displayed in two dimension, and are commonly made from paper, textiles, and colored sand. - In a sand painting the sand is dyed and then carefully placed on a large, flat table. The construction process takes several days, and the mandala is destroyed shortly after its completion. - In Tibetan Buddhism, a mandala serves as an imaginary palace that is contemplated during meditation. - Each object in the palace has significance, representing some aspect of wisdom or reminding the meditator of some guiding principle of Buddhism. Tradition dictates the shapes, sizes and colors of these objects. There are many different mandalas, each with different lessons to teach. - When invited, Tibetan Buddhist monks will construct a mandala for public viewing and meditation. When finished, the monks gather in a colorful ceremony, chanting in deep tones as they sweep their mandala into a jar and empty it into a nearby body of water as a blessing. - This action also symbolizes the cycle of life, symbolizing the fragility and temporary nature of human existence.

mecca and the hajj

- It is around the Kaaba that ritual circumambulation is performed by Muslims during the Hajj (pilgrimage) season - Once a person has completed the Hajj, the title "Haji" is added to their name (for example, Muhammad Baraski will become Haji Muhammad Baraski) - Using the term "Haji" as a slang word for any Muslim male is considered offensive.

the second temple

- It was rebuilt seventy years later in about 515 BC, was renovated by Herod in about 20 BC, and was then subsequently destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. - It was the center of ancient Judaism and has remained a focal point for Jewish services over the millennia following the Diaspora.

Najaf, Iraq - The Imam Ali Mosque - The 3rd Holiest Site in Islam

- Many sources refer to the Imam Ali Mosque, in Najaf, Iraq, as the third holiest site for the Shia branch of Islam. - It is estimated that only Mecca and Medina receive more Muslim pilgrims than Najaf. - This is where Ali, the son-in-law of Mohammed is buried. - Because Ali was also Mohammed's cousin, he is considered by Shia tradition to be the first legitimate caliph and the first Imam.

shia extremist groups

- Most have indirect or direct ties to Iran Hezbollah - name translates to "Party of God" - a powerful Islamist group based in Lebanon that has both a political party branch and a militant group branch - Has become a dominant political party in Iraq and Lebanon that fiercely defends Shia interests in the region - Original leaders studied in Najaf, Iraq in the 1980s and were strongly influenced and supported by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini after the Iranian Revolution in 1979 - Goal is to oppose Israel's influence and control over southern Lebanon and to support Iranian interests and the region. Its militant branch has been active in attacks on Israel. - Allied with Syria's President Bashar Hafez al-Assad who belongs to the Shia Alawite sect. - Continues to be strongly influenced by Iran's fundamentalist Shia leadership - Receives financial support from Iran, Lebanon and Syria - Has recently expanded its operations into the border area of Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil and is accused of involvement in the region's drug trade - Also accused of supporting insurgent attacks against U.S. and allied forces in Iraq following the 2003 invasion - Since 2014, continues to interact with and support Iranian operations in Iraq - Iraq's Shia-led government accepts Iranian and Hezbollah support - Responsible for terrorist attacks against enemies of Shia and Iranian groups throughout the region. - The military branch of Hezbllah is considered to be a terrorist organization by at least 21 countries, the European Union and most member states of the Arab League, with the exception of Iraq and Lebanon - Countries that have designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization include: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Honduras, Israel, Malaysia, Paraguay, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Guatemala. - China and Russia consider Hezbollah to be a legitimate resistance movement against Israel and have not identified the group as a terrorist organization

Najaf's Religious Significance for Shiites

- Najaf is renowned as the site of largest cemetery in the Muslim world (and possibly the largest in the entire world), containing the tombs of Ali and several prophets. - Many devout Shia from other lands want to be buried here, to be raised from the dead with Imam Ali on Judgment Day. - Over the centuries, numerous hospices, schools, libraries, and convents were built around the shrine to make the city the center of Shia learning and theology. - Many of these were badly damaged during the rule of Saddam Hussein, with a highway being driven through the middle of the cemetery.

Shia observation of Ashura

- Oct 26, 2015: Shocking images from this year's ritual show streets in Iraq soaked with blood and youngsters posing with knives, spears, and chains. - Shia Muslims flagellate themselves with chains during an Ashura procession.

a symbol of hinduism

- Om (Aum): A sacred syllable that is considered to be the greatest of all the mantras. - Om mystically embodies the essence of the entire universe. It is uttered at the beginning and end of Hindu prayers, chants, and meditation. - It is used in the practice of Yoga and is related to techniques of auditory meditation.

jerusalem, isreal, church of the holy sepulcher

- Originally built by the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine in 330 AD, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher commemorates the hill of the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus' burial. - The church of the Holy Sepulchre, was meticulously partitioned between the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian, Coptic, and Ethiopian Christian churches. - Tensions between the groups ran so deep in the 19th century that the keys to the shrine were kept with a "neutral" Muslim family for safekeeping. - The church has been an important Christian pilgrimage destination since the 4th century. - This interior altar is said to be the site of Jesus' crucifixion ("Golgotha" or the "Hill of Calvary") - It also is said to contain the place where Jesus was reportedly buried (the "sepulchre," or tomb).

what is sharia?

- Sharia, or Islamic law, offers moral and legal guidance for nearly all aspects of life - from marriage and divorce, to inheritance and contracts, to criminal punishments. - Sharia, in its broadest definition, refers to the ethical principles set down in Islam's holy book (the Quran) and examples of actions by the Prophet Muhammad (sunna). - The Islamic jurisprudence that comes out of the human exercise of codifying and interpreting these principles is known as fiqh. - Muslim scholars and jurists continue to debate the boundary between sharia and fiqh as well as other aspects of Islamic law.

Samaara, Iraq: The Al Askari Mosque ("The Golden Mosque) - the 3rd holiest site in islam

- Shia Muslims believe that the remains of the tenth and eleventh Shia Imams, Alī l-Hādī and his son Hassan al-Askarī are interred here. - It stands adjacent to a shrine to the Twelfth or "Hidden" Imam, Muħammad al-Mahdī. - Most Shia consider this shrine to be one of their holiest sites behind Najaf and Karbala

role of shia imamas

- Shia identify male descendants of the Prophet as imams, the legitimate successors and spiritual clerics who are known as sayyid - Modern Iranian sayyid include the Ayatollah Khomeini (now deceased leader of the 1979 Revolution) and his son Ali Khomeini who is currently the supreme head of state in Iran - Current Iraqi sayyid include Ali al-Sistani and Muqtada al-Sadr who are rivals. Both are powerful, influential leaders of the Shia majority population in Iraq despite not being part of the elected national government leadership

Shia differences

- Shia use vivid imagery that depicts Ali and Hussein and their martyrdom - This tradition is considered blasphemy by strict Sunni believers who are opposed to images showing Mohammed and his descendants - Shias pray with their hands at their sides, while Sunnis clasp their hands - Shia women usually wear black, as do male religious leaders. - Shrines play a special significance to Shias to commemorate martyrdom events in the lives of early imams - Pilgrimages to these sites are major events each year - The shrines are believed to be places where spiritual grace can be attained - The two most significant are Ali's tomb in Najaf and Hussein's tomb in Karbala, both in Iraq - Shias also observe Ashura, a holiday of mourning, remembrance and atonement in memory of Hussein's murder. The day is commonly marked by enactments of the violent event. - For Sunnis, Ashura simply commemorates the exodus of Moses from Egypt, and is usually observed by completing an optional fast. - Jan. 29, 2007 - Istanbul, Turkey - Shia Muslims gather in the Halkali section of Istanbul for the annual Ashura event. Ashura commemorates the death of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson Hussein ibn Ali, who was massacred in 680 A.D. with his followers in Karbala (modern-day Iraq). Shias consider Hussein to be the successor to Mohammed and his martyrdom is a distinguishing mark of the Shia faith. - Strict, fundamentalist Sunnis such as the Wahhabis who rule Saudi Arabia, view Shia veneration of shrines and pilgrimages as polytheism and heresy

Shia Martyrdom and Shrines

- Shias believe they have suffered at the hands of majority Sunni leaders ever since the period following Mohammed's death - Sites of Shia suffering have become shrine centers - Sunni extremists often target Shia pilgrimage events with violent attacks and bombings

Ganesha

- Son of Lord Shiva - The elephant-headed god of wisdom, intelligence and education - Remover of obstacles, the deity of beginnings. - Revered as a personal deity by many - Hindu university students

Karbala, Iraq: The Imam Hussein Shrine; the 3rd Holiest Site in Islam

- The Imam Hussein Shrine is built on the spot where the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Hussein, is believed to have been killed during the Battle of Karbala. - According to many Shia Muslims, this is the holiest site outside of Mecca and Medina. - The battle took place in 680 AD between the prophet Mohammed's grandson Hussein ibn Ali and a military detachment from the forces of Yazid I, the Umayyad caliph. - This battle is central to Shia Muslim belief. The martyrdom of Hussein is mourned by the annual commemoration of Ashura. - Many elderly pilgrims travel to Karbala to await death, as they believe the tomb to be one of the gates to paradise.

the islamic calendar

- The Islamic calendar or Muslim calendar (also called the Hijri calendar) is the calendar used to date events in many predominantly Muslim countries, and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Islamic holy days. - It is a lunar calendar having 12 lunar months in a year of about 354 days. - Because this lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Islamic holy days, although celebrated on fixed dates in their own calendar, usually shift between 10 and 14 days earlier each successive solar year, such as a year of the Gregorian (Latin/Christian) calendar used by most nations. - Islamic years are also called Hijra years because the first year was the year during which the Hijra occurred— Mohammed's emigration from Mecca to Medina. Thus each numbered year is designated either H or AH, the latter being the initials of the Latin anno Hegirae (in the year of the Hijra). - The current Islamic Year is 1443 AH. - The new year 1443 AH began August 10, 2021 and runs through July 28, 2022. - Muslim holidays shift approximately 10-14 days backward per year, thereby preventing a permanent seasonal affiliation in terms of the Gregorian (traditional Christian) calendar. - While the Eids are always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the dates on the Gregorian calendar vary from year to year due to differences between the two calendars since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar. - Furthermore, the method used to determine when each Islamic month begins varies from country to country due to the fact that the boundary of crescent moon visibility is different from the International date line. - To further complicate matters, some countries follow the date in Saudi Arabia rather than their own astronomically determined local calendar.

the first temple

- The Temple in Jerusalem or the Holy Temple was the primary resting place of the divine presence in the physical world according to classical Judaism. - The first temple was built by King Solomon in the 10th century BC and was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. - It was located on the Temple Mount in the old city of Jerusalem. - The "Holy of Holies" was a place where the high priest would go in, once a year, on the Yom Kippur, to sprinkle the blood of sacrificial animals (a bull offered as atonement for the Priest and his household, and a goat offered as atonement for the people) and offer incense upon the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat which sat on top of the ark in the First Temple. - According to the Torah's Book of Exodus, inside the Temple was kept the Ark of the Covenant, a gold covered wooden chest that held the original two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses. - Tradition says that the Ark vanished when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem in 587 B.C. - Some believers claim that it is in Aksum, Ethiopia, in the St. Mary of Zion Christian cathedral and is guarded by Ethiopian Orthodox monks.

Hinduism: Dharma, Nirvana and Moksha

- The central beliefs of Hinduism (and Buddhism) revolve around two key concepts: dharma and moksha - Dharma emphasizes the social and physical world in its demand upon human destiny to uphold and preserve the physical world and society as a whole. Dharma can be defined as the principle or law that orders the universe. - Dharma defines the individual's obligation (duties) to obey with respect to caste, social custom, civil law, and sacred law. - On the other hand, moksha refers to the ultimate release from the world (salvation that the soul desires) that can only be obtained by transcending all physical and social limitations (akin to the Buddhist concept of nirvana - liberation, state of peace, a final release from one's worldly conception of self); a return of the spirit to the Divinity

Hinduism: Bovine Veneration

- The cow was venerated as the mother goddess in early Mediterranean civilizations. - "Cows represent sacrifice. Without them, there can be no sacrifice...Cows are guileless in their behavior and from them flow sacrifices... and milk and curds and butter. Hence cows are sacred..." (from The Mahabharata, an ancient Sanskrit epic poem) - The cow acts as a surrogate mother by providing milk to human beings for their whole life, so the cow is truly the mother of the world. - Since the cow is thought to be God's useful gift to mankind, consuming beef or veal is considered sacrilegious for Hindus. Selling beef is banned in many Indian cities, and few Hindus would be ready to even taste cattle meat, for socio-cultural reasons. - Of all gifts, the cow is still considered the highest in rural India; there is no gift more sacred than the gift of cows. - India has 30 per cent of the world's cattle. - There are 26 distinctive breeds of cow in India. The hump, long ears and bushy tail distinguish the Indian cow. - Because the cow is respected as a sacred animal, it is allowed to roam unharmed, and they are used to the traffic and the rhythm of the city. - You can see them roaming the streets in towns and cities, grazing unmindfully on the roadside grass medians and munching away vegetables thrown out by street sellers. Stray and homeless cows are also supported by temples, especially in southern India.

Shia Rivalries Today

- The majority populations of both Iraq and Iran are Shiite - In terms of ethnicity, the majority of Iraqi Shiites are Arab, while most Iranians are Persian and Shia - Najaf (in Iraq) and Qom (in Iran) are rivals as the intellectual center of Shiite Islam - The clerics (Shia religious leaders) in both countries are rivals

mecca and daily prayers

- The qibla, the direction Muslims face during prayer, is the direction from any point to the Ka'aba. - Each of the Salah must be offered at or during its proper time. No Salah can be said before its time. There are five obligatory prayers in a day: - Fajr - the morning prayer. - Zuhr - the early afternoon prayer. - 'Asr - the late afternoon prayer. - Maghrib - the sun-set prayer. - 'Isha - the night prayer. - The qibla, the direction Muslims face during prayer, is the direction from any point on Earth to the Ka'aba.

Jerusalem, Israel The Dome of the Rock The 3rd holiest site in Islam*

- The rock in the center of the dome it is believed by Muslims to be the spot from which Mohammed ascended to heaven. Accompanied by the angel Gabriel on the miraculous "night-journey" from Mecca, to Jerusalem and then to Heaven where he consulted with Moses and was taught the Islamic prayers before returning to earth. - The Al-Aqsa Mosque is said to be the spot where he first prayed. - Muslim belief holds that the Angel of Death will blow the last trumpet here on the Resurrection Day when the dead will rise from their graves. - Until the mid-nineteenth century, non-Muslims were barred from the area. After 1967, non-Muslims were allowed some entry, but non-Muslim prayers on the Temple Mount were not allowed. - At present, only Muslims are permitted to enter the Dome of the Rock. - After former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made a controversial visit to the Temple Mount in 2000, non-Muslims have been forbidden to enter either the Dome of the Rock or the Al-Aqsa mosque.

Hinduism: Karma and Samsara

- The underlying ideas behind moksha and dharma are karma and samsara. - Hindus accept karma as the moral law of cause and effect, in that every action has a moral consequence. - Karma is viewed as the total effect or consequences of a person's actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person's existence, and is regarded as determining the person's destiny. - Samsara refers to the cycle of births and deaths in which every living organism is involved. Samsara ends when moksha is attained

hinduism: sacred rivers

- Water is of special significance in Hinduism, not only for its life-sustaining properties, but also because of its use in rituals and because of the stress given to cleanliness. Bathing also has religious significance, especially in rivers considered sacred. Mother Ganga (the Ganges) is considered to purify the bather of sins. - There are seven principle holy rivers, although others, such as the Krishna in South India, are also important. Of the seven, the Ganges (Ganga), Yamuna, and Sarasvati are most important. According to different opinions, the Sarasvati is now invisible, extinct or running underground, and meets with the Ganga and Yamuna at Prayaga. - Most rivers are considered female and are personified as goddesses. Ganga, who features in the Mahabharata, is usually shown riding on a crocodile. Yamuna is shown in much iconography connected with the Pushti Marg sampradaya, and rides on a turtle. The famous story of the descent of Ganga-devi is connected with Vishnu and with Shiva, who is depicted with the Ganges entering the locks of his hair.

Veda Scripture: Avoiding Beef/Meat consumption

- While Hindu scriptures do not explicitly prohibit beef or other meat-eating, many texts do encourage restraint and abstinence. The one below is often interpreted as evidence that beef, in particular, should be avoided due to the cosmic value of cattle: - The fiend who smears himself with flesh of cattle, with flesh of horses and of human bodies, Who steals the milk-cow's milk away, O Agni,—tear off the heads of such with fiery fury. The cow gives milk each year, O Man-regarder let not the Yātudhāna ever taste it. If one would glut him with the biesting, Agni, pierce with thy flame his vitals as he meets thee. Let the fiends drink the poison of the cattle; may Aditi cast off the evildoers. May the God Savitar give them up to ruin, and be their share of plants and herbs denied them. Agni, from days of old thou slayest demons never shall Rākṣasas in fight o'ercome thee. Burn up the foolish ones, the flesh-devourers let none of them escape thine heavenly arrow. — Rig Veda (10.87.16-19)

hinduism: basic values?

5 PRINCIPLES 1. God Exists: One Absolute; One Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva 2. All human beings are divine 3. Unity of existence through love 4. Religious harmony 5. Knowledge of 3 Gs: Ganga (sacred river), Gita (sacred script), Gayatri (sacred mantra) 10 DISCIPLINES 1. Satya (Truth) 2. Ahimsa (Non-violence) 3. Brahmacharya (Celibacy, non-adultery) 4. Asteya (No desire to possess or steal) 5. Aparighara (Non-corrupt) 6. Shaucha (Cleanliness) 7. Santosh (Contentment) 8. Swadhyaya (Reading of scriptures) 9. Tapas (Austerity, perseverance, penance) 10. Ishwarpranidhan (Regular prayers)

what the second temple looked like

A National Geographic computer-generated recreation of Jerusalem in the 1st century AD, featuring the latest archaeological consensus on what the Second Temple might have looked like. A National Geographic computer-generated recreation of Jerusalem in the 1st century AD, featuring the latest archaeological consensus on what the Second Temple might have looked like.

Angkor Wat

A temple complex built in the Khmer Empire and dedicated to the Hindu God, Vishnu.

hinduism: holidays

Because of the diversity of religious belief in India, it is difficult to point out one holiday that is observed by all. Even though it is a Hindu holiday, Diwali is probably the one festival that is most universally recognized as a national holiday. It is an autumn lunar-based holiday and it falls between mid-October and mid-November each year in the northern hemisphere.

where are religions distributed?

Distribution of Religions - Geographers distinguish two types of religions: 1. Universalizing religions - attempt to be global by appealing to all people regardless of location or culture. - 63 % of the world's population practices a universalizing religion in 2020. - Christianity: 2.4 billion Christians - Islam: 1.9 billion Muslims - Buddhism: 507 million Buddhists 2. Ethnic religions - appeal primarily to one group of people living in one place. - 16 % of the world's population practices an ethnic religion in 2020. - Hinduism: 1.2 billion Hindus - Judaism: 14.7 million Jews (16 % or 1.2 billion of the world's population is not affiliated with any religion)

vajrayana buddhism

Famous Places - Tibetan Buddhism - The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, served as a capitol, fortress, and monastery until 1959 when the Chinese took control of Tibet - It traditionally served as the home of the Dalai Lama - Work began on the palace in 1645 under the 5th Dalai Lama and was completed in 1695 Famous Places - Tibetan Buddhism 0 The grandeur of the Potala Palace owes much to its hilltop location and its formidable appearance - It symbolizes the union of the spiritual and the political, and it serves as a symbol to the Tibetan people of the Dalai Lama's authority even in exile Tibetan School - The Mandala - A model or a map of a perfected environment - Used by Tibetan Buddhists of Tibet and Mahayana Buddhists to practice concentration and to cultivate inner vision, picturing themselves present within the perfected environment to help them to progress towards a perfected state of enlightenment. - Tibetan mandalas can be painted, printed, embroidered, or created in sand, often in the floor plan of a palace; sometimes three-dimensional mandalas are constructed.

list of Dalai lamas

Gedun drub, gendun, sonam, yonten, lobsang, tsangyang, kelzang, jamphel, lungtok, tsultrim, khendrup, trinley, thubten, tenzin (present)

Top 10 Largest National Hindu Populations in 2020

India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, united states, Malaysia, united kingdom, and Myanmar (Burma)

what is islamism?

Islamism - Islamic militancy or fundamentalism What does "Islamist" mean? - A person or group that strongly believes Islam should influence political systems via Sharia law. - "Moderate" is used to describe Islamists who contest politics through official electoral institutions (i.e., voting for Islamist candidates). - "Radical" is used to describe jihadi groups that seek to overthrow existing status quo governments through other than political and violent means (i.e., terrorism)

changing trends in religious affiliation from 2010-20150

North America

Jerusalem, Israel The Al-Aqsa Mosque (the "Farthest Mosque")

Note that the octagonal and gold-sheeted Dome of the Rock is not the same thing as the Al-Aqsa Mosque beside it.

Salafi Sunni Fundamentalist Muslim Groups

Salafi - a general term used to describe Sunni fundamentalist Islamic thought that teaches strict, literal interpretations of the Quran Wahhabism - one of the oldest existing Salafi schools or movements based in Saudi Arabia Sharia - Islamic law based on the teachings of the Koran and the traditions of the Prophet (Hadith and Sunna), prescribing both religious and secular duties and sometimes retributive penalties for lawbreaking. - It has generally 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.

Changing Trends in Religious Affiliation from 2010-2050:

South and Central America and the Caribbean

Changing Trends in Religious Affiliation from 2010-2050:

Sub-Saharan Africa

Videos to Watch before test:

Sunni - Shia differences: 10 Differences Between Shia and Sunni Muslims, October 11, 2017 (8:17): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0Prs99ANvY The Sunni-Shia Divide - Council on Foreign Relations, July 14, 2014 (8:47) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNK_Uk0fw5A US Sunni-Shia Harmony - August 12, 2016 episode on Religion and Ethics Newsweekly (9:12) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2016/08/12/sunni-shia-harmony/32025/ Rick Steve's travel video: Greece's Peloponnese -from 19:00 - 22:00 https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/greeces-peloponnese Vishnu: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2011/08/18/vishnu/9313/ (3:44) Ganesha: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2011/08/31/september-24-2004-ganesha-chaturthi/9402/ (2:43) Krishna: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2008/08/22/august-22-2008-janmashtami/25/ (2:48)

Sunni vs. Shia Leadership in the Modern Era

Sunni Belief: - Muslims are capable of understanding religious truth without any special spiritual intermediaries between people and God. Imams are religious teachers, not political leaders Shia Belief: - Because of human fallibility, Muslims need exceptionally holy and divinely favored men to guide them towards the inner truths of their religion. Imams should be both religious and political leaders who serve as intermediaries between people and God - Shias rejected the leadership of the Sunni caliphs and still believe that rightful leadership can only descend from the Mohammed's family lineage

other shia extremist groups

The Badr Brigade (named after its founder Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim) - a paramilitary group led by influential Shia political leaders and clerics in Iraq. - The group fought against Saddam Hussein's regime before its fall and was later responsible for creating death squads responsible for widespread killings of Sunni Iraqi civilians during the Iraq civil war that followed the U.S. invasion in 2003. - The group remains active in Iraqi internal affairs and has led attacks against ISIS occupations in western parts of Iraq. - U.S. intelligence considers it to be an Iranian proxy in Iraq. The Quds Force and the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - The Quds Force is the unconventional warfare and military intelligence branch of the Iranian IRGC that coordinates operations outside of Iran and reports directly to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini. It's believed to be behind numerous attacks on U.S. military and civilian interests in Iraq. - The Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps is the elite branch of the Iranian military that protects the country's Islamic republic political system, preventing both foreign interference and internal resistance to the Ayatollah's control. It is separate from the main Iranian Army that defends the country's boundaries. - The Quds Force supported Syria's government in its civil war and opposed ISIS in the region. - Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization. The U.S. did so in 2019. - The IRGC group oversees Iran's ballistic missile program and its nuclear arms development. - The IRGC is also believed to be responsible for cyber attacks against Saudi Arabia, Isarael and the U.S..

Shia and Sunni

The Shia and Sunni conflict has a 1,400+ year history The overwhelming majority of the world's 1.9 billion Muslims are Sunni (close to 90%) Shias make up only a little more than 10% of the total number of Muslims Sunni (87 - 90%) light green Shia (10 - 13%) dark green

historical background of the Sunni

The Sunni - Shia rivalry dates from the early days of Islam and the succession crisis that followed Mohammad's death in 632 AD Mohammed had no surviving sons to assume leadership of his believers The Sunni succession was based on the tribal tradition by which a council of elders would choose the most senior and respected elder to become the head of the Islamic community or umma Sunnis believed that the successor to the Prophet would not need exceptional spiritual qualities, but would merely have to be an exemplary Muslim who could ably and virtuously direct the spiritual affairs of the community The Sunnis chose Abu Bakir, the Prophet's close friend and father-in-law as his successor (the first caliph) A minority of Muslims disagreed with the Sunni caliphs, believing that Ali, Mohammed's son-in-law and cousin, should have been the first successor and that the mistake led to violence and confusion among believers This group became known as the Shia and believed that only the people of the Prophet's household (blood relatives) had the spiritual authority to serve as leaders of the faithful - Thereafter, Sunnis believed that a caliph is the secular head of state who should serve as the leader of the Muslim people - The Shia believed a caliph should be an Imam chosen by God from Mohammad's direct descendants - Persia (modern-day Iran) converted to Sunni Islam under the control of the Caliphate, but then changed to Shia belief in the early 1500s and became a rival Shia center

holiest place in judaism

The Temple Mount in the old city of Jerusalem ' - Believed to be place where Abraham planned to sacrifice his son Isaac on a hill as a test of loyalty to God; the angel Gabriel intervened - Same story in Islam but the son was Ishmael (mother was Hagar from Egypt; Isaac's mother was Sarah of Israel) - Modern Remains: "The Wailing Wall" West side of Ruins ("Western Wall") - Cannot be walked upon - Access been source of conflict with Muslims for several decades

the islamic calendar: based on lunar cycle

These were the dates for Eid ul-Fitr: - 2015: July 18 - 2016: July 6 - 2017: June 25 - 2018: June 15 - 2019: June 4 - 2020: May 23 These were the dates for Eid ul-Adha: - 2015: September 24 - 2016: September 11 - 2017: September 1 - 2018: August 22 - 2019: August 11 - 2020: July 31

top 10 largest national hindu populations in 2020

india, nepal, bangladesh, indonesia, pakistan, sri lanka, untied states, malaysia, united kingdom, myanmar (burma)

the worlds top 10 Muslim countries

indonesia, pakistan, india, bangladesh, egypt, nigeria, iran, turkey, algeria, and sudan *Although many countries in the Middle East-North Africa region are heavily Muslim, this region is home to only about 20% of the world's Muslims. **A majority of Muslims globally (62%) live in the Asia-Pacific region, including large populations in Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Turkey. Most of these people are not ethnically Arabic.

countries with the largest shia muslim populations

iran, pakistan, india, iraq, turkey, yemen, Azerbaijan, afghanistan, syria, saudi arabia, nigeria, lebanon, tanzania, kuwait, germany, bahrain, tajikistan, united Arab, emirates, United States

Muslim populations in other selected countries

iraq, afghanistan, saudi arabia, china, syrai, russia, somalia, francie, palestinian territories, united kingdom, united states, albania, bosnia-herezegovina, germany, kosovo, isreal, canda, and belgium

Diffusion of Christianity during its first four centuries

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The Hearth Areas and Diffusion of Buddhism, Christianity and Islam

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buddhism in east asia by branch - 2020

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christianity in europe by branch - 2020

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distribution of Christianity

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distribution of Islam - 2020

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Changing Trends in Religious Affiliation from 2010-2050:

south and east asia

the world's Muslim populations

south and southeast Asia - 1.005 billion Muslims middle east and north Africa - 321 million sub-Saharan Africa - 242 million Europe - 44 million Muslims Americas - 5 million Muslims **Although many countries in the Middle East-North Africa region are predominantly Muslim, this region is home to only about 20% of the world's Muslims. A majority of Muslims globally (62%) live in the Asia-Pacific region (South and Southeast Asia), including large populations in Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Turkey. Most Muslims in the world are not ethnically Arabic.

dome of the rock and western wall

where muhammad was said to have ascended to heaven