Contextualization

Islam in the Middle Ages constituted one of the largest world empires, initiated with the birth of the religion in the 7th century in Saudi Arabia. Its expansion continued for centuries, extending through North Africa, Europe to the Far East. The study of this period is crucial for understanding the historical roots of many current cultural, political, and social aspects in the Arab World and the Islamic world in general.

Islam, which began with the prophet Muhammad in Mecca, spread rapidly throughout the world. This expansion brought not only a new religion but also new forms of government, new practices and customs, new arts and sciences, and a new language - Arabic, which became the language of the Islamic empire and is still spoken by more than 300 million people.

Introduction

The project to be developed aims to understand the birth and expansion of Islam, which implies analyzing this theme in two main aspects: religious and political. In the religious part, students will delve into the origin of one of the world's largest monotheistic religions, its basic principles, and its structure. In the political aspect, the analysis of the growth of the Islamic territory, the formation of an empire, and the resistance encountered during this expansion.

The intersection between these two areas is fundamental for understanding Islam as a unique entity during the Middle Ages and how its actions impacted the world. Thus, this project aims not only at the assimilation of historical concepts but also at the understanding of processes of expansion and contraction of empires, the influence of religion on politics, and the deep interconnectedness among the peoples of that time.

Resource for study:

1. "Islam: A Short History" by Karen Armstrong - This book provides a comprehensive overview of Islam, from its foundation to its modern practices.
2. Documentary "Islam: Empire of Faith" by PBS - This documentary provides a detailed visual and auditory description of the growth and expansion of Islam.
3. "The Great Arab Conquests: How the Spread of Islam Changed the World We Live In" by Hugh Kennedy - This book presents a detailed analysis of the expansion of the Islamic world from the life of the Prophet Muhammad to the present day.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "From Mecca to the World: The Expansion of Islam"

Project Objective

The proposed activity aims to understand the process of birth and expansion of Islam. Students will be divided into groups, and each group will be responsible for a specific region where Islam had a significant expansion, aiming to analyze the different factors that contributed to this expansion and its consequences.

These regions could be the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, the Middle East, India, the Iberian Peninsula, and Southeast Asia.

Detailed Project Description

Students should divide into groups of 3 to 5 people, and each group will focus on a different region for study. Within each region, students will need to map how Islam reached that area, considering the following aspects:

1. The means by which Islam was introduced to the region (war, trade, proselytism, etc.)
2. The resistance or acceptance it encountered.
3. The sociopolitical changes resulting from its introduction.
4. The interaction of the local population with Islam and how the local culture influenced the practice and interpretation of Islam in the region.
5. Approach to the current situation of Islam in the region studied.

Required Materials

1. Books and historical documents related to the theme.
2. Access to the library and/or internet for research.
3. Paper and pen for notes and drafts.
4. Presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi, etc.)

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Students should start by establishing the research outline according to the aspects mentioned above.
2. Next, students should define the tasks and responsibilities of each group member, ensuring an equal division of work.
3. The group should gather and analyze information from various sources, including books, historical documents, online articles, documentaries, etc.
4. After collecting the data, they should discuss and consolidate their findings, creating a cohesive narrative about the expansion of Islam in the designated region.
5. The group will prepare a presentation exposing the findings based on the created narrative and will include images, maps, and relevant graphics for better understanding.
6. Finally, each group will present their findings to the class, followed by a question and answer session.

Project Deliverables

In addition to the presentation, the group must prepare a written document, which will be available to the entire class. The report should follow the following structure:

1. Introduction: Where the group will contextualize the chosen region and the objective of the work.
2. Development: Here the group will address the stipulated research aspects, presenting the data and analyzing it. It will also be necessary to explain the methodology used by the group.
3. Conclusion: The group must consolidate the main findings and learnings, highlighting the relevance of the expansion of Islam for the studied region and for the contemporary world.
4. Bibliography: List the sources used for research.

Upon completion of the practical activity and the elaboration of the report, students will have a more comprehensive view of the process of Islam's expansion, as well as develop skills related to historical investigation, teamwork, and effective communication.