World Religions

Hajj

A Muslim's pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, to worship Allah at the Kaaba

Jihad

A holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral or spiritual or political goal

Mosque

A Muslim place of worship

Muslim

A follower of Islam

Pilars of Islam

a set of five requirements for believers of Islam

Quran

the sacred writings of Islam revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina

Palestine

A territory in the Middle East on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Disputed with Israel.

Canaan

Ancient home of the Hebrews

Torah

The first five books of Jewish Scripture, which they believe are by Moses, are called this

Abraham

Founder of Judaism who, according to the Bible, led his family from Ur to Canaan in obedience to God's command.

Monotheism

Belief in one God

Covenant

A solemn agreement between human beings or between God and a human being in which mutual commitments are made.

Moses

(Old Testament) the Hebrew prophet who led the Israelites from Egypt across the Red sea on a journey known as the Exodus

Israel

an ancient kingdom of the Hebrew tribes at the southeastern end of the Mediterranean Sea

Judah

(Old Testament) the fourth son of Jacob who was forebear of one of the tribes of Israel

tribute

peace money made by a weaker power

Jesus

Founder of Christianity

Apostle

one of the followers of Jesus who preached and spread his teachings

Paul

Follower of Jesus who helped spread Christianity throughout the Roman world.

Diaspora

Jews driven from their homeland into exile

Constantine

Emperor of Rome who adopted the Christian faith and stopped the persecution of Christians (280-337)

Bishop

A church official who leads a large group of Christians in a particular region

Peter

A.D. 5-67 One of the 12 apostles of Jesus; Roman Catholics consider him to be the first pope, bishop of Rome

Pope

Head of the Roman Catholic Church

Subcontinent

A large landmass that is smaller than a continent.

Monsoons

seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons

Harappan Civilization

Another name for the Indus Valley civilization that arose along the Indus river, possibly as early as 7000 BC; characterized by sophisticated city planning

Reincarnation

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the process by which a soul is reborn continuously until it achieves perfect understanding

Karma

The belief that actions in this life, whether good or bad, will decide your place in the next life.

Siddhartha Gautama

The prince who is said to have founded Buddhism.

Enlightenment

a person can reach this in Buddhism when following the Middle Way

Nirvana

The state of enlightenment for Buddhists.