Quick Islam Facts

Here's a link to the information I referenced in class about the locations and concentration of Islam in different parts of the world. It seems that Asia is the true center of the Islamic faith.

www.encyclopedia.com/topic/islam.aspx


Here's another link that gives a brief breakdown of some of the different belief systems ranging from fundamentalist, radical, and more modern practice of Islamic faith.

www.libforall.org/background-islamic-diversity.html

"Our Father?" An interesting perspective on the relationship between the West and Islam

This article below is not academic, but I think the mathematics and concepts behind it serve as an interesting take on the global issue of Islam in the world.  I think the implications of this if expanded could affect the way that the West views Islam in the future.  And personally, I think it would be weird for one to find out that he is distantly related genealogically to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). 

http://humphrysfamilytree.com/ca.html

For me, I can personally say that it would probably change my perspective were it conclusive.  Such a finding would probably create more questions for me than it would answer.

Islamic theology

This link seems to be a very good source with respect to Islamic theology.
http://www.islam101.com/theology/index.htm

This link as well is very good for the basics of Islamic theology.
http://www.allaboutworldview.org/islamic-theology.htm

From my understanding, the theology of Islam is not too in-depth as say Judaism or Catholicism.  Unlike Judaism or Catholicism, in Islam one is not tested over a several month long period in front of religious authorities before being able to convert.  In the process of converting to Islam, depending on the Islamic sect, one must simply affirmatively declare in Arabic that there is only one God Allah and that the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is His Messenger in front of at least two Muslim male witnesses.  These two basic principles of there being one God and the Prophet (s.a.w.) as His Messenger form the theological core of Islam.

Muslim Demographics via Market Analysis

This link is to Allied Media Corp. and is analysis of the Muslim American Market from an advertising firm's vantage point.

Claim and Response

I neither support nor have enough statistical information to attribute validity to the videos below.

The first makes rather strong claims regarding the immigration of Muslim's into Western Countries. The most disturbing portion of the video is the end where the narrator says that the data given is "a call to action." What kind of action is the video purporting should be taken?

The second is a response by the BBC to the specific claims made in the first. It seeks to directly counter the claims made by the first.

Again I do not have the statistical data to verify either video's accuracy and I don't advocate for either one, but I find the comparison to be a reflection of tension felt by Westerners towards the Muslim religion and Islamic culture.

UPDATE: See first comment for link to the Snopes review of the first video--BTL

History of Religions Map

Follow this link to see a 90 second review of the distribution of religion around the world.

Religious Diversity in America

WolframAlpha

Islam - Distribution of Adherents

WolframAlpha

WolframAlpha - Islamic Population Worldwide

WolframAlpha

Here is a good map of the global Muslim population.

http://pewforum.org/Muslim/Mapping-the-Global-Muslim-Population.aspx

The website also seems tailor made for this class. It claims to be a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world.

Diversity and Islam

Here is one Article that helps explain Islam's view on diversity in general.

http://www.islamfortoday.com/diversity.htm

This next one is a map depicting the different types of Islam and their location.

http://www.islam101.com/dawah/muslim_world_map.html

This last one is from Time magazine showing the world location and population of people who follow Islam.

http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101040913/map

Good Islam info source

Brittanica Encyclopedia has a pretty comprehensive entry for Islam, lots of good secular and objective info.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/295507/Islam

A Thousand Words

Is this chart helpful or misleading? It's from the blog, Catholic and Enjoying It!

Understanding Islam and Muslims

http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/uiatm/un_islam.htm