EssaysSoundscapes of Islam: The Call to Prayer and Qur'an RecitationSound is an intrinsic part of all our lives, an important component of what we consider "home." The soundtracks of our lives, if you will, are made up of the sounds that normally surround us in our home environment and those that we chose to add to it, like music. Middle East Book AwardsMEOC's Middle East Book Awards recognize outstanding picture books, youth literature and nonfiction on the Middle East suitable for use in the K-12 classroom. The books are judged on the authenticity of their portrayal of a Middle Eastern subject, as well as on their characterization, plot, and appeal for the intended audience. Life Stories of Female EntertainersKarin Van Nieuwkerk describes four clusters of related female entertainers from Egypt. In the first section, she introduces Umm Muhammad, the oldest female performer of Muhammad 'Ali Street, and Ibtisam, who belongs to the present generation. These life histories illustrate the developments in the profession during the last fifty years. A Global Guide to Islamic ArtWhile some types of Islamic art, such as Qur'an manuscripts, mosque lamps or carved wooden minbars (pulpits), are directly concerned with the faith and practice of Islam, the majority of objects considered to be Islamic art are called so simply because they were made in societies where Islam was the dominant religion.
ActivitiesMosque Lamp ActivityThis lesson inspires students to create a mosque lamp modeled on those that for centuries lit the interior of mosques, using inexpensive candle holders and air-dry glass paint. Students will learn about the Arabic script and decorate the lamp with an Arabic proverb. They will also learn about the symbolism of light in a multicultural context. |
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Teacher Institutes
MEPC provides free, highly acclaimed, non-partisan workshops on the Middle East and Islam across the U.S. Our education director Barbara Petzen will come to your school, organization or conference with innovative strategies for teaching these complex topics. We tailor workshops to your specific needs
Arab Culture & Civilization
Explore this exemplary library of articles and resources on Arab societies and culture. This site was originally created by the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education (NITLE).
