Islam

Research Topics:

1. Compare marriage ceremonies and obligations of marriage. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. Islam Weddings

2. Compare coming of age ceremonies and obligations of rights of passage. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. • bar-mitzvah, circumcision, confirmation, baptism, golden thread, rice-eating, or learning religious prayers Significance of Water in Islam

3. Compare death and mourning traditions and purposes. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. Muslim Funerals 4. Compare design, elements and functions of places of worship. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. Comparing the mosque and synagogue

• Hindu temple, Buddhist temple, Synagogue, Mosque Catholic church vs. Protestant church, Eastern Orthodox

5. Compare design, element and function of sacred places. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. • Ganges, Angkor What, Church of nativity, Church of Holy Sepulcher, Tomb of Patriarchs, Kaaba, Dome of the Rock, Varanasi, Wailing Wall, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath

6. Compare founders and prophets. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. • Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Gods Effect on Muhammad's life Mohammad's Revelation Muhammad-How His Teachings Were Received, Muhammad's Miracles Muhammad and Human Nature Mohammad's Death How Muhammad Gained Followers Zakat

7. Compare creation, role and purpose of dietary laws. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. • Kosher, Halal

8. Belief about the afterlife- Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, Nirvana, Moksa Islam-Afterlife

9. Prayer & Meditation- Breathing, Prayer Beads, purpose of prayer, analysis of text of prayers Morning Prayer Prayer- Islam and Judaism How do objects assist in prayer?

10. Religious standpoints on religious war- jihad, martyrdom, masada Jihad