World R - Islam

6.11
Religions of the
World
For relevant websites and webquests that may assist
this module,
go to http://del.icio.us/bcemmedia
All titles are hyperlinked for easy access to storylines.
Login to OPAC to book.
Muslims – Frontline (DVD 113 mins, 2002)
AGE LEVELS: Middle High to Adult
Divided into 13 chapters, the Frontline DVD, using interviews and case studies from such diverse
countries as Egypt, Nigeria, Iran, USA, Malaysia and Turkey covers the themes of Islam and the West,
Islamic beliefs, laws and practices and Islam and women. Each country's Islamic story is explained,
showing the many cultural faces of Islam. The individual chapter headings give a good list of topics
covered in that segment. Topics such as Sharia law, women, jihad, interfaith dialogue and terrorism are
well covered, stating educated viewpoints which would allow for discussion. The accompanying website
contains profiles of the interviewees, extended information on the topics covered, FAQs and a list of
Muslim websites for further research.
Speaking for Ourselves (DVD x 2, 150 mins, 2001)
AGE LEVELS: Upper Primary to Senior High.
An excellent, comprehensive program covering the religions of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam,
Judaism and Sikhism. One DVD covers the 6 faiths by interviewing people of that faith on their ways of
living. In covering questions on Christianity, people from seven Christian denominations are interviewed.
The second DVD interviews proponents from these different religions asking them questions on God,
prayer, role models, festivals, beliefs and what happens after death.
The workbook gives a content summary, suggests activities to use before and after viewing and provides
worksheets for each segment.
Islam Explained ( (DVD 32 mins, 2004)
AGE LEVELS: Upper Primary to Adult
The DVD contains interviews with Australian Muslims who speak about prejudice and misunderstanding,
diversity within Islam, Allah and the Quran, prayer, the importance of Ramadan, the hajj, wearing the
hijab, gender roles and the effect of media bias. The topics raised and view expressed would provide an
excellent opportunity for discussion.
Islam on Parade (DVD 32 mins, 2007)
AGE LEVELS: Junior High to Adult
This ABC Compass program, introduced by Geraldine Doogue, highlights the work of a young Australian
Muslim couple, Waleed Aly and Susan Carland, who, with some friends, work to build bridges with
Muslims and the wider Australian community. The program tells about their own living of Islam and
highlights the unusual and diverse approaches they adopt to show another face of Islam. Their articulate
and educated responses to questions show that authentic Islam is a religion of peace and fulfillment. This
program would be ideal for classroom use to dispel anti-Muslim bias or prejudice.
The Battle for Islam (DVD 63 mins, 2005)
AGE LEVELS: Middle High to Adult
A leading Islamic intellectual, Ziauddin Sardar, travels to Muslim countries to investigate how Islam is

coping in the modern world, a world where fundamental extremists are challenging any change to Sharia
law. He travels to Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco and Turkey and talks to politicians, clerics,
scholars and ordinary Muslims to hear what they are saying about how Islam will embrace the future. In
Pakistan, a female government minister challenges how Sharia law exploits women, Indonesia, historically
influenced by other religions and cultures, allows open debate, Malaysian interviewees look for a balance
between the religious and secular, calling for an emphasis on rights instead of duties, Morocco, with it's
poverty and unemployment, has, despite objection form conservatives, allowed change to family law to
protect women and Turkey, a secular democracy, shows how Islam can co-exist and be separate from the
state. The documentary allows for both conservative and liberal voices to be heard but finishes by stating
that the future of Islam must allow for democracy, modernity and pluralism.
Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet (DVD 116 mins)
JH-AD 116 MINS
The DVD tells the story of Mohammad, from his childhood as an orphan to his travels with merchants'
goods, his marriage to Khadija, his revelations, his wars and his effort to build a peaceful, moral land
according to the will of Allah. While his story is being shown, scholars explain his actions and Muslims,
mainly from America, show how they live his teachings in their lives. His message is shown as universal,
encouraging his followers to rise above the pettiness of life and work to build a community for all to share.
The DVD is divided into 22 chapters and is accompanied by a content guide and activities.
Me and the Mosque (DVD 52 mins, 2005)
Middle High to Adult
This DVD traces the journey of a young Muslim woman who questions the barriers placed on women at
some mosques. Growing up in Canada, she enjoyed full participation at her family mosque. In later life
this freedom has been denied to her. She travels to different mosques around Canada, interviewing
women and men in search of answers to this exclusion. The DVD allows the opinions of people on both
sides to be aired.
An interesting portrayal also of the history of women in Islam and the journey from full participation to a
denial of that in some areas.
Religions of the World (DVD 50 mins, 1998)
AGE LEVELS: Upper Primary to Adult
The DVD begins with the origins of religion and the quest for meaning. It individually explores the
religions of Hinduism with its many gods. Buddhism, with no adherence to a god, the monotheistic
religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Sikhism - an offshoot of Hinduism. It discusses the
similarities and differences between the religions and then explores the development of humanism and
briefly mentions other new religious movements. This DVD is visually attractive, informative and
presented in an educationally sound way with commentary from scholars. (Requires a multiformat, multiregion
player).
Islam (DVD 2009)
Support material available at : http://www.viewtech.co.uk/detail.html?pgcode=20034
Age Levels MY6-10 -SY
Topics covered in the programme include Islam's contemporary role in the world, its history, some common
misconceptions about the faith, its influence on the West, the art, architecture and science of Islam, the
importance of the mosque, the hajj, the pillars of faith, the colonial period in the Middle East and the future of
Islam. Through the use of historic film and stills from locations around the world, a broad picture emerges of a
powerful faith that, although the world's youngest, has attracted more than one billion followers.
Islam (VHS 28 mins, 2004)
AGE LEVELS: Senior High to Adult.
Part of the Heaven on Earth series, and aired on SBS, this video takes the viewer on a pilgrimage to
examine the various expressions of Islam in architecture and art as it developed from its earliest times.
Presenter Christy Kenneally visits Djenne Mosque, the largest dried earth building in the world in Mali
before moving on to Delhi,India and Istanbul in Turkey where the Blue Mosque, the Suleymaniye Mosque
and the magnificent Haggia Sophia are examined. After Cordoba in Spain the last stop is the New York
Mosque funded by the Kuwaiti, Libyan and Saudi Arabian governments.
Under one sky : Arab women in North America talk about the hijab (DVD 1999)

AGE LEVELS: Senior High to Adult The DVD investigates the meaning of the hijab for the identity of
Muslim women. Interviews with young, intelligent, articulate, modern Arab women on the topic allow for a
diverse range of opinions and views. The hijab or veil has been a symbol with different and often contradictory
meanings in Eastern and Western cultures. The interviewees call for individual freedom of identity and a halt to
the impostion of cultural and religious norms on Muslim women. Summary Presents the history of Arab
womanhood, from the days of early colonial missions to the post-Gulf War era. Informed, articulate Arab
women living in North America describe the ideologies behind the veil and tear away the labels imposed by
both East and West
Christianity and Islam (DVD 2004)
AGE LEVELS: SY to Adult This DVD, presented by Dr Timothy George, comprises 4 separate 25
minute programs, each of which deals with similarities and differences in theology between
Christianity and Islam. Program I -The Tenets of Islam - gives an introduction to Islam, the
history of Mohammad, the Five Pillars and introduces the idea that, although they believe in the
same prophets of The Hebrew Scriptures, there are many differences. Program 2 - The Trinity-
explains the reasons why Islam cannot accept the idea of the Trinity and Christianity accepts it
as integral to its beliefs. Program 3 - The Bible and the Incarnation - gives reasons why Muslims
cannot accept either the Bible or the Incarnation. Program 4 - The Cross and Salvation -
explains how Muslims cannot accept that Jesus was crucified nor can they accept the theology of
salvation with it's basis in original sin. The DVD is well presented and would allow for good
discussion. However, as it deals with deep theological differences in beliefs, it is recommended
that each program be viewed separately.
Faith without fear (DVD 2007)
AGE LEVELS: Middle High to Adult In 'Faith Without Fear', Irshad Manji, a Canadian Muslim
woman, questions how Muslims can change and be true to islam in the twenty first century. She
gives her own ideas, rejecting how Muslims blindly conform to the religion of their ancestors and
she contrasts that to the Golden Era of Islam in the eleventh century when reason, debate and
the questioning of Islam flourished (ijtihad). She meets with diverse Muslims - Bin Laden's
bodyguard in Yemen, Ayaan Hirsi Ali in Holland, her mother, and a Canadian imam - and we
hear different thoughts on how Muslims should live. Summary: In an era in which Islam is often
portrayed as harsh and violent, and Muslims as fanatics, Faith without fear offers a complex
inquiry into one of the world's great religions, from the perspective of a woman who is
dissenting, yet deeply engaged with her faith
Journey of promise : Young Australians seeking understanding (DVD 2004)
AGE LEVELS: MY to Adult."Journey of Promise" was a project developed by the National Council
of Churches in Australia, with the support of the Australian Government, to enable young
Christians, Muslims and Jews to engage in Inter-faith dialogue. This documentary records the
process thorugh which young people from the three different faiths journeyed to understanding
and recognition of the faith traditions. They young adults visit a Muslim Mosque and school, a
Jewish Synagogue, and three Christian churches as part of the camp experience. They engage in
dialogue with one another about the practices and beliefs of the religions, with an emphasis on
the common heritage of Abraham. Participants in the documentary reflect on their experience
and conclude "it's okay to be different. But difference has to be understood, or respected, at the
least, tolerated". A booklet accompanies the documentary and includes notes on each day,
discussion questions, short articles by participants, jokes, quotes and websites. Also included is
an excellent two page table charting the differences and similarities of the three religions.

Respecting beliefs : Muslims, Christians, Jews and others (DVD 2009)
This thought-provoking program promotes religious tolerance through exploration of several of
the world's prominent belief systems. Beginning in each case with the historic origins, the
program introduces students to the combination of philosophy, traditions, ethical codes, and
rituals that characterise Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Atheism as a system of
thought based on the non-existence of a god or gods is also examined. Students candidly share
their thoughts on what their individual beliefs mean to them. Viewers are taken on a virtual
fieldtrip into various houses of worship, briefly viewing ceremonies and surroundings they may
never have previously experienced. Viewers are encouraged to compare and contrast these
distinct belief systems, as the program provides practical guidelines for nurturing more positive
attitudes towards diversity. This program approaches the topic with insight and sensitivity,
raising viewer awareness and providing an action plan to assist students in taking a thoughtful
and respectful approach to those whose beliefs are different from their own
Women of Islam (DVD 2004)
AGE LEVELS: MY 7-10 to Adult
This Lateline program looks at the cultural and religious issues faced by contemporary Muslim
women: female circumcision, honour killings, dress and the right to education and
public/political involvement. The program ends with a discussion about these issues and how the
expression of Islam is different in a number of countries