Video, Audio & Books

 

 

We recommend the following video and cassettes for a better understanding of Islam.

 

Video Tapes:

The following are appropriate for the high school level:

 

Deeper Roots: Muslims in the Americas Before Columbus*

  
"Using the most authentic historical sources, Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick proves that Muslims played a significant role in the West long before European explorers. He also reveals how Muslims fought for freedom during the slavery period and how even today Islam's roots can be seen in the names and ancestry of people living in America and the Caribbean. A must for every student of Western and Islamic History. An excellent gift item for your teachers too."

 

Islam in Africa*

  
Islam in Africa "This video details the rich and impressive history of Africa and its connection with Islam.  Far from being “the dark continent”, Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick describes how Africa has benefited humanity and how Islam has been closely linked to African civilization for more than 1400 years.  Through solid research and an unbiased view of history, Dr. Quick does away with stereotypes and presents a clear and dignified picture of the human family’s common spiritual heritage."
 
   

 

The following are approriate for both middle and high school levels:

 

ABC Nightline -- Muslims In America, The Misunderstood Millions
 
Thursday, May 5, 1995

"Although originally planned as the next installment in a periodic Nightline series about different religions, this particular broadcast slightly alters its focus in light of the Oklahoma City bombing the previous month on April 19, 1995. In addition to examining the tenets of the Muslim faith, the special focuses on the hasty judgments made in connection to Muslims whenever a terrorist act occurs anywhere in the world.

Several practicing Muslims in Cedar Rapids, Iowa -- home to the oldest Mosque in the United States -- candidly talk about what it is like to be Muslims in America, living daily with the stereotypes cast on them by the uneducated. And ABC News' Ted Koppel speaks with John Esposito, Director of the Center for Muslim/Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, asking why Americans as a whole are so ignorant about the Muslim faith. Exposito explains the basics of the religion, pointing out the similarities and the differences between Islam, Judaism and Christianity."

 

ABC Nightline -- The Hajj, One American’s Pilgrimage To Mecca
Friday, April 18, 1997

"For over 1,400 years, Muslims have been making their holy pilgrimage to the sacred site of Mecca.  In modern times, approximately two million Muslims make the pilgrimage – or Hajj -- to Mecca each year, a trip required of the faithful at least once in every member’s lifetime.  Muslims from all over the world come together there, bereft of any outside identity save that of their shared faith.  As the place where the Prophet Muhammad received the verses of the Quran, Mecca is a place of great spirituality.

Non-Muslims are forbidden entry to Mecca, and it is, therefore, a place that few Americans will ever get to see.  But in this special broadcast that aired during the last month of the Islamic year, when the Hajj is made, writer Michael Wolfe documents his trip to Islam's holiest site for ABC News Nightline.  One of the more than five million Muslims in the United States, Wolfe is a convert, born the son of a Christian mother and Jewish father.  The occasion is his second Hajj, and Wolfe takes viewers step by step through the spiritual side of the pilgrimage, explaining the origins and meanings of the various rituals, and the speaking live, from the Great Mosque of Mecca, with ABC News’ Ted Koppel."

Running Time: 23 Minutes.

 

Islam:  A Closer Look
"Islam: A Closer Look is a wonderful and thought provoking exploration of Islam. Well known personalities ... share their understanding of this ... faith. Comprehensive in its scope, Islam: A Closer Look touches upon many concepts ranging from the fundamental tenants to issues such as the role of the mosque, Islamic family values and the importance of knowledge."

Running Time: 30 Minutes.

 

Wonders of Islamic Science
"Discover how the Quran inspired Muslims to lead the world in science and civilization! This fascinating documentary describes the remarkable achievements of Muslims in Astronomy, Medicine, Mathematics, Geography, Botany, Zoology and many other fields! These achievements, in fact, propelled what's known today as "European Renaissance." The film also proves how these accomplishments were a direct result of Quranic teachings."

Running Time: 27 Minutes.

 

Cassette Tapes:

The following are appropriate for the middle school level:

 

The Kingdom of Justice – Stories from the life of Umar
 
Seven stories are told on a cassette (a booklet is also available).  They capture the rules of justice and equality before the law that pervaded the life of the first Islamic community.  Six of these stories are from the life of the second Caliph, Umar bin al-Khattab, (known as Omar in the West).  This tape is a good learning tool in understanding Islamic law.  It fulfills the California Framework's requirement to explore Islam's "code of ethics and justice, and its rule of law."


The Life of The Last Prophet
The Life of The Last Prophet "The Life of the Last Prophet is the first official release by Yusuf Islam since his departure from the music business as Cat Stevens back in 1978. This recording is a moving presentation of the biography of a man widely acknowledged as the most influential ever. It’s the story of the life of Muhammad, May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Yusuf Islam presents it by drawing on the authentic sources of the Prophet’s life. The Life of the Last Prophet comes with famous song Tala’a al-Badru ‘Alayna, and a beautiful rendition of the Adhan. Four years in the making, The Life of the Last Prophet, has been produced to the highest sound & design quality available."

Running Time: 71 Minutes.


Stories of the Caliphs
     Six stories and an introduction are presented on this cassette (a booklet is also available).  The introduction is very informative about the nature of the Caliph rule.  He was to govern justly and kindly according to the law of God and to care for the people were as much acts of worship as to pray, to fast and to perform the pilgrimage.  The four Rightly-Guided Caliphs, Abu Baker, Umar, Uthman and Ali, are examples of Caliphs who followed in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).  These stories tell how sincerely and responsibly they carried out their duties, how simply they lived and how steadfastly they shunned the temptations of this world and looked only to God for their rewards in the Hereafter. This tape fulfills the California Framework on Islam’s "ethical teachings and as a way of life.”

 

Books:

Islam in Focus
       Islam in Focus by Hammudah Abdalati is a book that acquaints the average reader with the basics of Islam. It is written in a simple but informative style and gives the reader proper insight and understanding of the principles for which Islam stands for. The book contains articles on the basic concepts of Islam, details of the five pillars, application of Islam to daily life, and distortions about Islam, among other things. It is a good reference book for teachers in presenting Islam to their students.

 

 

 

* These videos are in lecture format.  They are full of information that would be beneficial to middle school students.  We recommend that middle school teachers view these and pass the information on to their students.