Year 5 Islam. How is a Muslim way of life expressed at home and in the community? (Autumn 2)

Session 1 - What is the Ummah and how does it link to the Five Pillars?

Ummah means community and refers to the worldwide community of Muslims. It aims to promote the welfare of all within the community. It benefits from the shared language of Arabic, supported by the giving of Zakah, encourages care for one another and encourages Muslims to live the best life that they can which we find out more about in the next session.

Read the interviews with Fizzah and Bilal about how they feel about being members of the Ummah from the Discussion 1 box in pairs.

Look at how the giving of Zakah supports the community by finding out about a Muslim charity different to ones covered in the previous unit.

Look at how the giving of Zakah supports the community by finding out about a Muslim charity different to ones already looked at from last half term.

Session 2 - What is Ibadah? How is ibadah expressed at home and in the community?

Ibadah is an Arabic word meaning ‘service’ translated as ‘worship.’ It means obedience, submission and devotion to God.

QUESTION - What do you think obedience, submission and devotion mean?

How are the Five Pillars an expression of Ibadah (as worship and belief in action).

These affect the life of a Muslim moment by moment, daily, annually and over a lifetime.

DISCUSSION - Recap the Five Pillars and learning from the last half term by thinking which affect - in a moment, daily, annually and in a lifetime.

Session 3 How do Muslims show good character  (Akhlaq)? What is a Mu’min?

Islam is a way of life, and Muslims aim for good character and manners.

The term Mu’min means believer, someone who submits to the will of Allah and has faith in his heart. A Mu’min is more aware of Allah and strives to develop inner and outer actions. This term is used regularly in the Qur’an.  Muslims can find out more about good character by following the teaching of the Qur’an and the Haddith.

Islam encourages its followers to show kindness and compassion to humans and animals.

Akhlaq is shown through exemplary behaviour with Muslims aiming to live their lives showing the kindness that Muhammad (pbuh) did. Look at the story of Muhammad (pbuh) and the old lady who used to throw rubbish (garbage) at him.

• The word Akhlaq is based on that which talks about the disposition of the soul.

Muslims have a personal Jihad with their inner selves to make themselves a better Muslim and to take the right decisions.

A focus on faith in Allah, following the way of Muhammad (pbuh), practicing the Five Pillars and developing good character all help to take the pathway to be a better Muslim.

(Week 2)   Ramadan... 

As this time is so important for Muslim families we are thinking about it again in this lesson. Work with a partner to collect clues about family life during Ramadan and Eid through the clips below.

Millions of Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr - CBBC Newsround   (2 clips on this page.)

How do you think a family would prepare for Ramadan? Can you add any more to your list after watching the clip below?

This is me - Episode 2. How do you prepare for Ramadan ? - YouTube

Consider these purposes of Ramadan, and put them in order: which do they think matter most?

• ‘I fast to show Allah that I am serious about my religion.’

• ‘When I am fasting, I remember people who don’t have much to eat, and pray for them.’

• ‘My main reason for fasting is to develop self-discipline, rather than just give way to my appetites all the time. It is like a training programme.’

• ‘I fast to get rid of bad habits. It helps me to change the way I behave.’

‘I do the fast because it gives me a chance to be really a part of the Muslim community. It feels like we are all in it together.

Ask pupils to write a ‘recipe’ for living well. What five things do they recommend to people who want to be serious, generous, self-disciplined, caring, close to God and close to their community? Get them to write the recipe as a list of ingredients and a cookery method: ‘Blend two cups of kindness with a pinch of thoughtfulness …’ (Activity from RE Today.)

Introduce children to Eid, why it is celebrated and why happens. https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/eid-ul-fitr

Ask pupils to suggest what this festival teaches about what is important to Muslims (e.g. worshipping Allah, family, belonging to a community, caring for others, remembering and following the example of the Prophet, celebrating the giving of the Qur’an). Use these ideas and place them on a target board – closest to the middle means most important, further out means less important. Explain why they have chosen one idea as the most important (there is no specific correct answer for this, so pupils can explain their own ideas).

Extension. Using face paint instead of henna to create mehndi patterns on the palms of hands using geometric and flower designs. Talk about what impact this has on how people see them, making some connections with Muslim experiences. E.g. Muslims are proud to show that they belong to their religious community, and are happy for people to know it. How do pupils feel about people knowing about their commitments – such as through wearing a scarf for a football team or a t-shirt for a pop band?

Talk about what is most important about any of the pupils’ own celebrations and see if they can make any links or explain any differences between the importance to Muslims and to themselves. 

(Week 3)

What is Halal?

When using the term “Halal” in the UK it is normally referring to food which is permissible but can also have a wider meaning about that which is allowed by Islamic Law.

Think back to lessons about food restrictions in Year 3/4, can you remeber what Kosher was?  Kosher similarities to Halal. Muslims have strict rules of what they can and cannot eat:

• Animals need to be killed in a special way, saying a blessing before the animal is killed. The animal should be slaughtered by hand with a knife so that all the blood could be drained from the dead animal before they can eat the animal.

• Muslims cannot consume carcass animals even the animal slaughtered by knife not in its neck called mari' and wajadan.

• They may not eat the meat of an animal which eats meat itself, such as dogs, cats, monkeys. This includes pork.

• All seafood is halal. Fish that has scales is halal, but animals that live both in the water and on land are not permissible (for example, frogs may not be eaten). There is a debate about shellfish, but most think it is not halal.

• They should not drink alcohol or consume other intoxicating substances

Have a look at some street pictures where you can see the Halal symbol. 

Question time   Haribo sweets... why does it need to be a special kind of Haribo?

Plan a meal with a partner for a Muslim friend.

(Week 4)

How does Muslim family life show their belief in the Qur’an?

‘The family is the cornerstone of society’ 

Discuss what you think the staement means?

Within Islam, the family is at the heart of the Muslim community. It is also the most important way of ensuring that children grow up as good faithful Muslims. A traditional Muslim family would be an extended family. What does this mean?

Muslims treat the elderly with dignity, caring for them is seen as a blessing and a duty. 

There are plenty of opportunities for religious activities at home as well as in the mosque.

Parents are responsible for the religious upbringing of their children. The mother is at the heart of the Muslim family. In a traditional family the mother is responsible for teaching the children about halal and haram in the home while the father is responsible for taking the boys to the mosque.

The beliefs and values of Islam, including the principles of haram (forbidden) and halal (permitted) are learned ­ first in the family.  Parents have the responsibility to send their children to the Madrasah, where Muslim children can learn to read the Qur’an in Arabic. Some Muslim parents in the UK may choose to send their children to Muslim schools. Within the mosque, the Imam may offer advice on all matters of marriage and family life.

Financial aid may be given to families from the Zakah fund in times of need.

Children are to respect their parents; a child’s duty to their parents is second only to Allah.

The Qur’an is important throughout a Muslim’s Life, from their birth, to guide through their life journey and at their death.

ACTIVITY - Which or the above do you think come from the Qur’an?

In groups consider what do you think would be three key aspects for a Muslim family. Compare these three with your own lives. How are they similar or different?

Create a Venn diagram comparing a Muslim family with a Non – Muslim / Christian / religion which they are confident with.

DISCUSSION - What can I learn from today to take back to my family? Which of these family values would also be important for me?

How does the life of a Muslim within a family contribute to the concept of Ummah?

How does their family life contribute to the development of their good character through ethics, moral standards and good manners? In Islam this is called Akhlaq. Do you think your family life has contributed or shaped your character?

A number of new terms have been introduced in this session, check understanding at the end of the lesson. 

Family     Community    Responsibility     Haram and Halal     Madrasah    Ummah    Akhlaq

(Week 5)

How do modern Muslims follow their faith today?

Revise the terms Ummah and Akhlaq from last week.

ACTIVITY STARTER - walk around the class explaining to each person they meet what is important to them.

RE GROUP - Did anyone say the same thing as you?

Many Muslims identify as a British Muslim and both parts of this identity are important to them for different reasons.

Watch the class clipBBC Two - Belief File, Islam: The Shahadah, What does it mean to be a Muslim?

•    Read what four people have said about being a British Muslim. Pick up on the discussion about the headscarf and how this is often discussed in the news around the world. Do the children think it is important to see someone’s face when talking to them? Do you think a jury needs to see the face of someone giving evidence or accused?

BBC NEWS | Have Your Say | British Muslim voices

Why Muslim women choose to wear the veil – Channel 4 News

•    So now you have seen lots of viewpoints what is your conclusion? What do you think your clothes say about you? If you could design an outfit to tell the world who you are, what would you include?

This is me - Episode 1. What do you like about being a British Muslim ? - YouTube  watch this clip where Muslims are explaining about what they like about being a British Muslim.

DISCUSSION - How can your local community support young Muslims based on what you have heard in this clip? 

(Week 6)

How can we tackle Islamophobia?  Does the media show Islam in a balanced way?

STARTER ACTIVITY - All to stand in a circle. As the adult, I am going to describe something about you and you need to get into a group with people who are in the same situation as yourselves. For example, form a group with people who: are the same gender, have the same number of siblings, have the same favourite pet, have the same colour hair, are the same position in the family, support the same football team,  have birthdays in the same month, have the same favourite food.

Ask the class whether they were in groups with the same people for each statement? Were they surprised at the groups that they ended up in? Did they have more/less in common with particular people than they had previously thought?

Remember this feeling/surprise because it should have highlighted the fact that we all have many different identities and cannot be simply defined.

Watch the Newsround clip to explain what Islamophobia is.   What is Islamophobia? - CBBC Newsround

Look at the media story about Amir Khan from the observer 5 February 2006 and discuss how Amir identifies himself with two flags. Do we ever feel close to two organisations? Have we ever had to choose? The rise in Islamophobia has been connected to international politics and specifically to a rising fear of terrorism, which has been linked to the religion of Islam. Specific events, some of which are listed below, and – crucially - the political and media reactions to them have created a link in the public mind between Muslims and terrorism, and have made many people fearful of Muslim communities.

SEPTEMBER 11 2001: terrorists flew planes into the twin towers of the national trade centre in New York killing thousands of people. JULY 7 2005: terrorists killed 55 people and injured hundreds more on the London Underground by blowing up bombs that they were carrying in their rucksacks. JUNE 30 2007: terrorists drove a jeep into Glasgow airport, fortunately without causing serious injury to any members of the public.

Watch the islamophobia film and allow children to discuss issues which arise from it.

Response. Finally ask them why do they feel we have had a lesson on Islamophobia?

(Week 7)

How does Mo Salah show his belief in his actions?    WHO???

Show the class 3 clues, e g Liverbird, World Cup Football with Egypt in the group. 

Explore which are facts, which are certain, which are rumours etc. Explore why Salah has been in the news.

• Salah maybe the catalyst for a cultural shift towards a greater acceptance of Islam and Arabs in British society. (Arab Media Society)

• This chanting has brought a huge change in perception about the Muslim faith… It has done so much to break down hatred and fear, showing we are all one nation…. Terror attacks have spread fear about the Muslim faith but Mo has shown we are not bogeymen. (Mumin Khan, CEO at the Abdullah Quilliam Society Mosque in Liverpool)

• Mo Salah doing more to end the clash of civilisations than anyone else in the world. (Karl Sharro)

How do you think these quotes came about? Show on a belief line whether you agree or disagree with them. 

Have you ever heard any accounts of racism around Football?

Explore some photos of Salah demonstrating his faith on the football field.  

Explained: Mohamed Salah goal celebrations & meaning behind Liverpool star's on-pitch gestures | Goal.com

ACTIVITY - If you were to interview Salah about his faith what would be your top three questions?

Discuss the following quote in small group.

“He is the source of happiness for millions of Egyptians.”

What does it mean to be a source of happiness?

Who is a source of happiness in your life?

How can you be a source of happiness for others?

Find out about how Salah supports his home village.  Najrij: The little Egyptian town that raised star Mo Salah - YouTube

What do you think of Mo Salah as a role model? How is he showing his beliefs as a Muslim? 

Islam Wedding   Amazing weddings

Hajj - The Fifth Pillar a pilgrimage to Mecca

How Islam began in less than ten minutes! 

The Miraculous Night Journey 

BBC Two - My Life, My Religion, Islam - Clips

Adult discrestion -Show Racism the Red Card - Islamophobia Trailer - YouTube

Layout 1   PDF p14 for Amir Khan article.