Learning about Islam

Since it's technically still the first week of class, we really haven't had a chance to delve into the travel writing yet. We're mainly focusing on Islam and Muslim culture. In my opinion, Karen Armstrong's Islam: A Short History is by far the better of the two assigned readings we've had so far. The author's presentation is very easy to read and seems to be free of any subjective commentary.

Some of the more interesting things I've learned so far*:

• The traditional role of women in Islam is markedly different than the stereotypes would have you believe. They were granted "rights of inheritance and divorce centuries before Western women were accorded such status". Not to mention that "the Quran makes men and women partners before God, with identical duties and responsibilities."


• The historical and cultural reasons behind vieling and polygamy. Although based on recent in-class discussion, I wonder how accurate the book is on this subject. I didn't get the impression that our resident Muslims agreed with Armstrong's presentation on this subject matter. More on that later, maybe.


• That Muhammad had worked with the Jews and urged other Muslims to treat the "People of the Book" with respect. Considering today's religious intolerance on all fronts this was a very progressive attitude.

I must admit when I first started reading the book and the chapter on "Islam and Change" out of Esposito's book I felt a little overwhelmed by the unfamiliar terminology. My knowledge prior to these reading experiences were limited to the Quran, Islam, Muslim, and mosque. I know I should be embarrassed to admit such a thing in so public a manner, but I think I think I'm feeling more ashamed than embarrassed. How well educated can I consider myself when I know so little about the world's second largest religion?

So I've started a small self-translated dictionary. I wonder if I have them right, though. Here's my interpretation of some commonly used words. Let me know if I'm wrong!

Sharia - God's law in revelation
Ulama - Islamic religious leadership (is this across all sects, though?)
imam = community
purdah = seclusion
chador = veil
caliphate = reign of a specific Islamic leader
sunna = time-honored tribal tradition of wisdom & practice

How'd I do? These interpretations were based not on Google searches or Wikipedia research, but on the contextual reading of Armstrong's and Esposito's books. I was too lazy to actually get off my behind to research them, so I wouldn't be surprised if I'm wrong on more than one account.

More later!

*All quotations have been taken from Armstrong's book. Mainly from Chapter 1.