Islam Studies

Liam watched a documentary from PBS called "Empire of Faith" on the birth of Islam.  Liam copied the opening Surah of the Quran for writing practice.  We discussed how the Angel Gabriel appears in both the Bible and the Quran. In the Bible, it is the Angel Gabriel who informs Mary that she will give birth to Jesus.  In Islam, it is the Angel Gabriel who reveals the Quran to Muhammed.
 Liam continued his studies on Islam using A Journey Through Waldorf Homeschooling Grade 6 from A Little Garden Flower (http://shop.beaconmama.com/A-Journey-through-Waldorf-Homeschooling-Grade-SIX-Curriculum-215.htm). The presentation of Islam in this curriculum is thorough and sensitive to its subject.  Mrs. Nielsen not only covers the basics of Islamic beliefs, but also explains to the parent-teacher the reasons for the customs of Islam.  As somebody who has lived in the Middle East for fifteen years, I can say with a lot of confidence that this program both covers the subject in an appropriate academic fashion and covers it with a human understanding.  Mrs. Nielsen does not shy away from presenting to her audience the common ground she finds with the followers of Islam and herself as a Christian woman.  The curriculum also offers topics for further study by the pupils of her program.  The program is both concise and informative.
     Liam also watched more of the PBS documentary "Empire of Faith."  For writing practice, he wrote the Five Pillars of Islam.