This unit will include two special days of re-enacting a pilgrimage to Mecca (a "hajj"), which you will make with classmates on your camel "caravan" You must make this pilgrimage in complete silence ("fasting" from talking) while still obtaining answers to the test questions in exchange for Islamic currency, or "dirhem". Before the two buying/selling days at the "bazaar" in Mecca, you will design a city banner, individual prayer rugs, a folder of information that you will "sell", and a "5 Pillars of Islam" poster, in four days with your caravan members, for points. See the game directions at the end of this webpage.(download and print)

Check out Our YouTube iMovie Trailers about all the amazing cities that have a Muslim population! You can also check out pictures of our students in our classroom "Hajj" simulation, as they "encounter" the myriad cultures and cities of people who begin their pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, at least once in their lifetime (one of the 5 Pillars of Islam)

Click here to give your feedback about our Islam Cultural Assembly in October!

Tell your Parents about the wonderful ARABIA exhibit at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, called "Roads of Arabia" From 2015. Explore the historical and cultural development of Arabia online now!

Books you can read about the Islamic Empire

1.) 1001 Inventions and Awesome Facts from Muslim Civilization (National Geographic Kids) by National Geographic

2.) Stories of the Prophets in the Holy Qu'ran by Shahada Sharelle Haqq

TECHNO TUESDAY!!!!!

1.) Play a crossword game about the Islamic Empire at http://www.islamicplayground.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=29

2.) Make a puzzle about Islam at

http://www.islamicplayground.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=35

OR

http://www.islamicplayground.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=32

Website about the Islam Empire for kids at http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/0171-islam.php and

Video: “Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think.” Looks great!

http://learning.snagfilms.com/film/inside-islam-what-a-billion-muslims-really-think?

YouTube links about the Islam: Empire of Faith, on the History channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYT8UCKTGcI

Use an Arabic-to-English dictionary online at http://www.islamcan.com/dictionary/index.shtml

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HAJJ FROM AN EXHIBIT AT From Asian Art Museum

http://education.asianart.org/sites/asianart.org/files/inline-pdfs/Islam.pdf

Listen to Pilgrim stories on their site “HAJJ STORIES” 8:17 minute video!

http://education.asianart.org/explore-resources/video/hajj-stories-bay-area-introduction-hajj

The hajj, one of the “five pillars” of Islam, is the pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, that all Muslims should make at least once in their lifetime if their health and financial means allow it, according to Islamic tradition. Inspired by the British Museum’s video Hajj Stories, staff at the Asian Art Museum asked Bay Area Muslims who have performed the hajj to share experiences of their journeys.

The videos are broken up into four segments. You can access each video by selecting a link below:

1. Introduction to the Hajj

2. Preparations for the Hajj

3. Performing the Hajj

4. Performing the Hajj (Part 2)

5. Takeaways from the Hajj

View the silver-gilded doors that were installed on the Ka'ba until 1947 in the Roads of Arabia exhibition at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco from Oct. 24, 2014 to Jan. 18, 2015. Much of the exhibit is still available online at www.asianart.org !!!

Discussion Question: How did Islam spread so quickly throughout north Africa?