Islam in Africa

• Islam is the most common religion in Africa. 45% of all Africans practice Islam.

• 89% of people in North Africa are Muslim.

Why is Islam so common in Africa?

Task:

• You are working for the US State Department, which decides the policy of the United States and foreign countries.

• The State Department is trying to figure what kind of relationship it should have with the North African country Algeria. The Secretary of State, John Kerry, has asked for a briefing about the history of Islam in North Africa, and what affect Islam has had on the area.

Arabia

• In the 600s CE, Islam began in Arabia, the region known today as the Middle East.

Islamic Empire Grows

• Islamic empires conquered land in North Africa and Southwest Asia during the 600s and 700s CE.

Spread of Culture

• The expansion of the Islamic empire spread Islamic culture to North Africa.

Mosque in Cairo, Egypt

Arabic writing in Morocco

Muslim women in Africa

Arabic• As Islam spread throughout North Africa and

the Middle East, the language Arabic was also spread to these regions.

TTQA

• Where did Islam begin?• Where did Islam spread in the 600s and 700s?• What language spread to North Africa in the

700s?

Medicine, Science, and Math• Islamic civilization became advanced in

medicine, science, and mathematics.

From an Ottoman manuscript, two doctorstelling the pharmacist how to makedifferent medicines

Arabian Traders

• Islamic culture also spread by trade. Traders from Arabia, known as Arabian traders, traveled to and from Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Technology

• During the 700s CE, Arabian merchants spread new technology among Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Water pump created by Muslims, and found in Southern Spain, Europe

TTQA

• What areas were Muslims advanced in?• How was Islamic culture spread, besides by

conquering?• What did Arabian merchants spread to

Europe, Asia, and Africa.

• Are there any examples of cultural diffusion from today’s lesson? What are they?

How did Islam spread?How were places affected by the

spread of culture?