Islam: Empire of Faith. Part 1: Prophet Muhammad and the Rise of Islam

Slide Images for September 23

 Jeweled Malay Tobacco Box

Trengganu, Malaysia

18th Century

 Batik, with “megamendung” (cloud motif) design

Cirebon

Mid-20th century

 Head and Shoulder Cloth

Jambi

Mid-20th century

Head Cloth

Jambi

19th century

 Opening Pages of an Illuminated Qur’an Manuscript

Northern Sumatra

Early 19th century

 Serat Selarasa

Java

1804

 Barungs

Philippines

19th century

Gold Keris

Indonesia

19th century

Terms of the Day for September 23

• Batik – a technique of decorating textiles by applying wax to resist dye.
• Barung –  a thick, leaf-shaped, single-edged blade sword. It is a weapon used by Islamic tribes in the Southern Philippines.
• Keris – an asymmetrical dagger most strongly associated with cultures of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.  It is famous for its distinctive wavy blade and elaborate decoration.

Slide Images for September 21

 A Gateway at Sendang Duwur

East Java

1585

 Taman Sari

 Yogyakarta

1765

 Traditional Mosque with Tiered Roof

Palopo, Sulawesi

 Masjid Agung

Banten

1556

Jami Masjid

Kuala Lumpur

1897

Terms of the Day for September 21

• Islam – a monotheistic religion articulated by the Qur'an.  The religion is based on submission to a single, indivisible God (Allah), whose Prophet, Mohammad, lived in the 6th and 7th centuries AD.
• Qur’an – meaning “the recitation”, the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe to be the verbatim word of Allah. It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language.
• Balai – a central public hall or meeting house found in many Malay and Indonesian villages which were often converted for Muslim worship.
• Mosque – a place of worship for followers of Islam.
• Minaret - the tall slender tower of an Islamic mosque, from which an announcer recites the call to prayer.