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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did the Arabs of the time believe in the coming of?

2. By the time of Muhammad's birth, there were three different divisions within his tribe. What were they based upon?

3. There was more understanding of Islam by the eighteenth century. How did Islam become accepted?

4. During the period of the Crusades, there were many attempts to convert the Muslims to Christianity. Who did the Christians do this with?

5. For what reason did shrines represent a place of relaxation and meditation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened regarding Islam in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries?

2. How does Armstrong compare the Quran with Christian writings?

3. What happens when Salman Rushdie publishes The Satanic Verses? How is this act a reminder of other acts against Islam by Muslims?

4. How did Muhammad react to his first encounter with the angel Gabriel?

5. How have the feelings of Europeans towards Muslims developed since the initial fear and hatred began? What has caused this development? To what have these feelings towards Muslims led?

6. What happened once Muhammad recited the Quran?

7. Describe Muhammad's role in the creation of the Quran.

8. Why did Arabia not trust monotheism?

9. At this time, what did Arabs think about al-Llah?

10. On what does Armstrong believe a religion should not be judged? Why might she feel this way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Salman Rushdie published The Satanic Verses.

Part 1) Who is Salman Rushdie? Why did he publish The Satanic Verses?

Part 2) What was the reaction to these verses? How might these have affected Muslim relations with non-Muslims? Why?

Part 3) How does this attitude by Muslims towards Islam reflect the attitudes and actions of Muslims found throughout history? Why do these attitudes exist, and why do these actions take place?

Part 4) Have other religious groups or individuals had similar difficult situations? If so, when and why? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 2

Islam does not teach theology.

Part 1) What is theology? What does Islam teach? How is this different from Judaism and Christianity?

Part 2) Why does Islam not teach theology? Do Judaism and Christianity teach theology? If so, how and why? If not, why not?

Part 3) Is theology necessary for a belief system to be considered a religion? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The author believes that if more people understood the teachings of Islam, the Islamic world would be viewed differently.

Part 1) What does this book teach about Islam? Is this surprising to you? Why or why not?

Part 2) Do you believe most people are interested in understanding Muslim teachings? Why or why not? Would most people be willing to change their views about Islam? Why or why not?

Part 3) What could you do in your own community to change the views of Islam and to show the similarities between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity?

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This section contains 1,094 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample