Geography of the Middle East and North Africa
Faith of the Middle East and North Africa
Religion Challenge
Three major belief systems -- Christianity, Islam (the two largest religions in the world), and Judaism -- were founded in the Middle East and continue to have profound influences on everyday life throughout the whole MENA region. Some merely follow the cultural and social guidelines of a religion without necessarily being committed to the foundational beliefs (e.g. cultural christians) while others devote their entire lives to their unwavering faith. This challenge topic isn't about converting or evangelizing -- it's about experiencing life through another lens and hopefully gaining appreciation for how others lead their lives by partaking in one of the following activities:
Food and Faith:
Halal / Kosher
Many religions teachings pertain to leading a good and wholesome life and for some, including Islam and Judaism, that means incorporating special diets as part of their practice. It's more than just eating one thing but not another: it's a form of worship and acting upon your faith -- putting your money where your mouth is, so to speak. Following strict diets can be difficult, so be sure to click the links to the below to read up on whichever guidelines you want to try.
Challenge: Adopt a religious diet (either Halal or Kosher) for three consecutive days and keep a daily "food journal" to record your experience (e.g. challenges at a restaurant, cooking at home, how it differed from what you usually eat, how many times you "cheated", etc). After your week is finished, post an entry to the "Religion" discussion board including which diet you followed, a comment on its difficulty/ease, and your feelings regarding the experience as a whole, and complete a Post-Project survey.
Salat: Prayer and Meditation
One of the most important activities for practicing Muslims is the Salat (or Salah) -- the daily prayer. Five times a day, every day, Muslims remove themselves from the world around them to celebrate their faith and connection with Allah. Prayer is a sacred activity for most all belief systems, so this challenge is not asking you to partake disingenuously in another's faith, but to experience the time and commitment necessary to practice Salat.
Challenge: Download a free "Salat timer" app (like this one), and participate in "prayer" five times a day for three consecutive days. If you identify with a certain faith, feel free to practice your own form of prayer during these times, otherwise, simply meditate and focus on your breath for at least three minutes per prayer. Keep a record of your practice and once the week is over, post an entry to the "Religion" discussion board with comments on your experience (e.g. how did you feel after each prayer? Was it difficult? Could you do it every day?) and complete a Post-Project Survey.
Gathering: Places of Worship
From the oldest temples to mind blowing architectural cathedrals, people have gathered in places of worship for millennia. Some were built as displays of power or devotion, others merely buildings that served a purpose, others still representing a spiritual presence meant to evoke reverence. Whatever their origin, most religious buildings welcome visitors and are safe spaces to learn more about the belief systems they serve.
Challenge: Visit a local place of worship dedicated to a religion other than your own --preferably one of MENA origin. Examples include mosques, synagogues, coptic churches, or orthodox churches. If possible, meet with a religious leader and talk for a moment about what it is to practice that faith. Record you experience and share it with class via the "Religion" discussion board, include a picture of the building if acceptable, and complete a Post-Project survey.
Scripture: Finding Common Ground
In today's climate, it is easy to get distracted by all that divides the world that we miss all the beautiful things connecting us. Sharing more than just history, there are several scriptural parallels among Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. This challenge invites you to explore the religious texts of each faith to find common ground and shared lessons:
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Online Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) >
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Challenge: Search the three sacred texts for common themes or ideas important to you and share a post on the "Religion" discussion board with a verse from each source and a brief comment on why you chose them/what they mean to you -- be sure to include book and verse number or page number for reference. Afterwards, complete a Post-Project survey.
Notes on Religious Freedom and Respect:
Please remember, religion and belief is deeply personal, sacred, and, to some, quite sensitive -- so whatever challenge you choose to attempt, please do so with respect and understanding. This also includes comments and posts to the "Religion" discussion board. We are here to learn, not to judge.
Also, to be clear: these activities are meant for learning only, not to persuade or convert. You don't need to believe in something in order to appreciate or learn from it. Religion is a fascinating and complex element of culture -- this fact is undeniable regardless of faith.