University of Chicago
What IS the Difference Between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims?
The distinction between Shiite and Sunni Muslims is an often misunderstood concept, yet very important for its implications in global affairs and for a more comprehensive understanding of the religion of Islam.
Curated OER
Islam Expands: In spite of internal conflicts, the Muslims create a huge empire that includes land on three continents.
Beginning with a vocabulary review and ending with the Muslim Trade Network, this well-put-together presentation covers the events that lead to the spread of Islam. Also covered are internal conflicts which would provide a good...
Curated OER
Major Sects in Islam: The Sunni and the Shiites
Young scholars examine the two major sects of Islam. They discuss the Sunnis and Shiites. Students identify the two major sects of Islam and where they are dominant in the world. They analyze the beliefs of the Sunni and Shiites and...
Curated OER
A Religious Get-Together
Students investigate Islam Awareness Week. In this Muslim traditions lesson, students visit the listed Web sites to research Muslim traditions, religious hate crimes, and British Muslims.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Asian Islam and Arab Islam
Focus on the impact and practice of Islam throughout Asia and the Middle East. Learners review the seven major religions, the spread of Islam, and Islamic tenets commonly practiced. They then research one country that practices Islamic...
Curated OER
Explore the Motivations of Kurdish Nationalists
Students watch a video showing the viewpoint of Kurdish Nationalists. They take notes during the video on why the Kurds want their own country. They role play a meeting between the Kurds and Iraq's National Assembly.
Curated OER
Ambivalent Council
Students consider the purpose of a constitution and research Iraq's five major population groups. They write a letter to the Iraqi Governing Council from the perspective of a member of one of these Iraqi population groups.
Curated OER
Serious Doodling
Students examine cartoons drawn by a volunteer serving in the country of Jordan. They draw a cartoon about a time felt different from others around them and share their cartoons with the class. The answer the questions: How can cartoons...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Islam and Islamic Culture
Whether democracy will ever take hold in Islamic nations continues to be a topic of great debate. Here, a series of questions, research, and discussion provide a foundation for class members to come to their own conclusion which they...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Baghdad
In this Baghdad learning exercise, students read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer discussion questions, write,...
Curated OER
Religion in Social Change: What's God Got To Do With It?
Students determine how religion influences social change. In this religion and social change lesson plan, students examine how the religious beliefs of Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. were inspirational as they worked to...
Curated OER
Najaf- A Holy City Caught In The Crossfire
Students investigate the city of Najaf and its present circumstances as part of the conflict in the Middle East. They conduct research using a variety of resources. They read an online news article while conducting brainstorming sessions...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Baghdad Car Bomb Kills 30
In this English worksheet, students read "Baghdad Car Bomb Kills 30," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
Curated OER
Breaking News English: 800 Die in Baghdad Shrine Stampede
In this English worksheet, students read "800 Die in Baghdad Shrine Stampede," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Baghdad Car bomb Kills 30
In this English worksheet, students read "Baghdad Car bomb Kills 30," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
BBC
Bbc: Sunni and Shia Muslims
An informative site to help explain the differences between Sunni and Shia (Shiite) Muslims. Discusses their beginnings and their split into two differently thinking groups.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Yoruk
The Yoruk are an ethnic-tribal grouping found widely throughout Turkey but primarily along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. The Yoruk are not linguistically distinct from most of the rural populations among whom they live. They speak...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Swahili
The people known as Swahili live along the narrow East African coastline and the adjacent islands between southern Somalia and northern Mozambique; they also live in the Aomoro Islands and northwestern Madagascar, and there are Swahili...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Pashai
The Pashai are an ethnic group located in the northeast corner of Afghanistan. They are estimated to number about 108,000 (1982). "Pashai" is the term used to refer to a specific language, to the speakers of that language, and to the...
Other
New Internationalist Magazine: Muslims: The Facts
Facts and statistical data of Muslim populations around the world. Includes geographical distribution of different groups and sectors.
BBC
Bbc: Sunnis and Shias
A quick guide to discovering the differences between Sunnis and Shias, both members of the Muslim religion. Describes what each branch believes in; both their shared beliefs and their differences.
Other
Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project: A Shi'ite Encyclopedia
This collection of information relies on the Quran as well as Sunni and Shia sources. Unlike with a traditional encyclopedia, one must use the table of contents to locate particular topics. Includes a brief bibliography of books in...
Curated OER
University of Texas: Iran: Ethnoreligious Distribution
This is a fascinating map of Iran showing the religious distribution of the Sunni and Shi'a sects of Islam. It also shows the many ethnic groups that make up this country. From the Perry-Castaneda Collection.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Qashqa'i
The Qashqa'i are tribally organized, Turkic-speaking, nomadic pastoralists and agriculturists who live in southwestern Iran. They are Shia Muslims, unlike most of Iran's other minorities, who are either Sunni Muslims, Christians, Jews,...