Abrahamic FaithsAbrahamic Faiths

The three religions are defined by core The three religions are defined by core beliefs. They also follow various laws beliefs. They also follow various laws

sent by God, though different sects may sent by God, though different sects may interpret them differently. interpret them differently.

Jews and ChristiansJews and Christians recognise recognise the the Ten CommandmentsTen Commandments among among other laws. For other laws. For MuslimsMuslims, the , the Five Five

Pillars of IslamPillars of Islam are central. are central.

Core beliefs of JudaismCore beliefs of Judaism

There is only one God There is only one God The Jews regard themselves as God's The Jews regard themselves as God's

chosen people chosen people Belief in the Sabbath and the Torah, Belief in the Sabbath and the Torah,

among others among others Moses is the major prophetMoses is the major prophet

•There is only one God •Jesus Christ was the Messiah, sent to save the world as prophesied in the Old Testament •God's character is threefold (the Trinity): Father (Creator), Son (Jesus), Holy Spirit (unseen guiding force) •Jesus Christ died to save the world and rose from the dead (the Resurrection)

Core beliefs of ChristianityCore beliefs of Christianity

Core beliefs of IslamCore beliefs of IslamThere is only one God: Allah There is only one God: Allah Muhammad is the final prophet Muhammad is the final prophet of Godof GodThe Qur'an is God's truest The Qur'an is God's truest revelationrevelationReverence for many of the Reverence for many of the prophets of Judaism and prophets of Judaism and Christianity, particularly Moses Christianity, particularly Moses and Jesusand Jesus

The Ten CommandmentsThe Ten Commandments

Moses received the Ten Commandments Moses received the Ten Commandments directly from God on Mount Sinai, written directly from God on Mount Sinai, written on two stone tablets. They assert the on two stone tablets. They assert the uniqueness of God, and forbid such things uniqueness of God, and forbid such things as theft, adultery, murder and lying. as theft, adultery, murder and lying.

The Ten Commandments are equally The Ten Commandments are equally important in Jewish and Christian important in Jewish and Christian traditions and appear in the Old Testament traditions and appear in the Old Testament in Exodus and Deuteronomy. in Exodus and Deuteronomy.

The Qur'an does not list the The Qur'an does not list the Ten Commandments Ten Commandments

explicitly, but their substance explicitly, but their substance appears in various places.appears in various places.

The Five Pillars of IslamThe Five Pillars of Islam

Declaring that there is only one God, Allah, Declaring that there is only one God, Allah, and that Muhammad is his messenger and that Muhammad is his messenger

Praying five times a day Praying five times a day Giving to charity Giving to charity Making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least Making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least

once during life once during life Fasting during the month of Ramadan Fasting during the month of Ramadan

every yearevery year

AfterlifeAfterlife

The three religions believe that humans have an The three religions believe that humans have an immortal soul, separate from the earthbound immortal soul, separate from the earthbound body. body.

JudaismJudaism refers to 'the world to come' after death, refers to 'the world to come' after death, but this refers to the concept of a messianic age but this refers to the concept of a messianic age more than an afterlife. There is no detailed more than an afterlife. There is no detailed concept of what the afterlife may be, or of concept of what the afterlife may be, or of punishment versus reward. punishment versus reward.

For For Christians and MuslimsChristians and Muslims the afterlife in the afterlife in heaven or hell is a strong part of their faith. Some heaven or hell is a strong part of their faith. Some Islamic thinking allows some of those in hell a Islamic thinking allows some of those in hell a chance of redemption.chance of redemption.

Last JudgementLast Judgement Christians and MuslimsChristians and Muslims believe in a Last believe in a Last

Judgement: that an end of the world will Judgement: that an end of the world will come, when all humanity will be judged come, when all humanity will be judged individually.individually.

In In JudaismJudaism it is thought of as a Messianic it is thought of as a Messianic age, expressed more vaguely as a point of age, expressed more vaguely as a point of doom when wickedness will be punished doom when wickedness will be punished and justice triumph. and justice triumph.

Worship: IntroductionWorship: Introduction

Communal prayerCommunal prayer takes place for Jews in a takes place for Jews in a synagoguesynagogue, , for Christians in a for Christians in a churchchurch and for Muslims in a and for Muslims in a mosquemosque. .

RabbisRabbis, , priestspriests or or ministersministers, and , and imamsimams are spiritual are spiritual leaders in Judaism, Christianity and Islam respectively. leaders in Judaism, Christianity and Islam respectively. They conduct communal prayer, and advise individuals on They conduct communal prayer, and advise individuals on matters of faith and everyday life. matters of faith and everyday life.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam all have Judaism, Christianity and Islam all have certain holy places which are often certain holy places which are often the destination of the destination of pilgrimagespilgrimages. .

JerusalemJerusalem is a holy is a holy place for all of them.place for all of them.

MosquesMosques((East London Mosque, Whitechapel)East London Mosque, Whitechapel)

The mosque (in Arabic, masjid) is at the heart of a The mosque (in Arabic, masjid) is at the heart of a Muslim community. Traditionally its most Muslim community. Traditionally its most distinguishing feature from outside is a minaret. distinguishing feature from outside is a minaret.

The first mosque is held to be the Ka'bah, built by The first mosque is held to be the Ka'bah, built by Adam and rebuilt by Abraham on the orders of God. Adam and rebuilt by Abraham on the orders of God. The first mosque built by Muhammad is the Quba inMedina.The first mosque built by Muhammad is the Quba inMedina. Beyond a courtyard is a large open area for prayer usually Beyond a courtyard is a large open area for prayer usually

covered by a carpet. There are no chairs or pews. A niche (mihrab) covered by a carpet. There are no chairs or pews. A niche (mihrab) built inside one of the inner walls shows the direction of Mecca built inside one of the inner walls shows the direction of Mecca towards which Muslims face in prayer. Men and women pray in towards which Muslims face in prayer. Men and women pray in separate areas. separate areas.

A mosque may also serve as a school, meeting-place or venue for A mosque may also serve as a school, meeting-place or venue for social functions.social functions.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem Means the Farthest Mosque. (the roots of Islam began in the Means the Farthest Mosque. (the roots of Islam began in the

Arabian Peninsula - Saudi Arabia today). It holds up to 400,000 Arabian Peninsula - Saudi Arabia today). It holds up to 400,000 worshippers worshippers

Ten years after the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) received his Ten years after the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) received his first revelation, he made a miraculous night journey from first revelation, he made a miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and to the Seven Heavens on a white Mecca to Jerusalem and to the Seven Heavens on a white flying horse called Al-Buraq El-Sharif. He stopped in Jerusalem, flying horse called Al-Buraq El-Sharif. He stopped in Jerusalem, to pray at the rock (now covered by the golden Dome), and to pray at the rock (now covered by the golden Dome), and was given the commandment to pray five times a day. was given the commandment to pray five times a day.

Today, Muslims throughout the Today, Muslims throughout the World use Mecca as the direction of World use Mecca as the direction of prayers (Qibla). However, for 16½ prayers (Qibla). However, for 16½ months following the Prophet months following the Prophet Mohammad's miraculous journey, Mohammad's miraculous journey, Jerusalem was the Qibla. Jerusalem was the Qibla.

Dome of the RockDome of the Rock Built more than 1300 years Built more than 1300 years

ago, it was completed in ago, it was completed in 691 AD. It is a shrine 691 AD. It is a shrine commemorating the commemorating the Prophet Mohammad's Prophet Mohammad's (pbuh) miraculous journey (pbuh) miraculous journey to the Seven Heavens to the Seven Heavens

Eight stairways with Eight stairways with arcades lead to the raked arcades lead to the raked platform of the Dome of platform of the Dome of the Rock. There is a sun the Rock. There is a sun dial atop the center top dial atop the center top archway, accurate to archway, accurate to within five minutes of the within five minutes of the actual time.actual time.

In 1994, the gilded In 1994, the gilded copper/brass dome was copper/brass dome was covered with 60 kgs of 24k covered with 60 kgs of 24k of gold. of gold.

Originally, colored glass Originally, colored glass and stone mosaics covered and stone mosaics covered the outer walls of the the outer walls of the Dome of the Rock. Of any Dome of the Rock. Of any building still remaining building still remaining from the 7th century, this from the 7th century, this shrine has the largest area shrine has the largest area of original mosaic.of original mosaic.

Call to PrayerCall to Prayer Mosques the World over have a Mosques the World over have a thin spiral minaret which always thin spiral minaret which always

immediately adjoins the Mosque wall. immediately adjoins the Mosque wall. Minarets are used to call Muslims to Minarets are used to call Muslims to prayer five times a day, seven days a prayer five times a day, seven days a week throughout the year.week throughout the year.

Before Muslims pray, Before Muslims pray, they are required to go through they are required to go through a ritual ablution. There are a ritual ablution. There are many ablution areas, but the many ablution areas, but the Cup is one of the oldest and Cup is one of the oldest and most photographed fountains most photographed fountains on the Mosque grounds. on the Mosque grounds.

Jerusalem:Jerusalem: the crossroads between different races and worlds. the crossroads between different races and worlds.

Concentrated in only a few hundred feet are Al-Aqsa Mosque, Holy Concentrated in only a few hundred feet are Al-Aqsa Mosque, Holy Sepulcher, and Wailing Wall the most important sacred sites three Sepulcher, and Wailing Wall the most important sacred sites three principal monotheistic religions.principal monotheistic religions.

Can youCan you

locatelocate

ChristianChristian

JewishJewish

and and

MoslemMoslem

HolyHoly

sites?sites?

The Holy Sepulchre Church: The Holy Sepulchre Church:

The holiest Christian site in Jerusalem . The holiest Christian site in Jerusalem . First built in the 4th century by Constantine's Mother Helena over the site of a Roman First built in the 4th century by Constantine's Mother Helena over the site of a Roman

Pagan temple to Venus . Pagan temple to Venus . The present building is crusader (12th century), and contains the last five stations of The present building is crusader (12th century), and contains the last five stations of

the cross (see Via Dolorosa). the cross (see Via Dolorosa). Also included are: the Also included are: the Chapels of GolgothaChapels of Golgotha, where Jesus was stripped, crucified and , where Jesus was stripped, crucified and

removed from the cross, removed from the cross, the the SepulchreSepulchre itself where Jesus is believed to have been buried and resurrected, itself where Jesus is believed to have been buried and resurrected,

and the and the Chapel of Mary MagdaleneChapel of Mary Magdalene where the resurrected Christ is said to have where the resurrected Christ is said to have first revealed himself . first revealed himself .

The Church is divided among several denominations, each responsible for its own The Church is divided among several denominations, each responsible for its own section .  section . 

Jewish SynagoguesJewish Synagogueshttp://www.youtube.com/melbhebcong#play/all/uploads-all/0/Chttp://www.youtube.com/melbhebcong#play/all/uploads-all/0/CP6BFMmL5HsP6BFMmL5Hs

After the final destruction of the great Jewish Temple in After the final destruction of the great Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 70AD, local synagogues became the focus of Jerusalem in 70AD, local synagogues became the focus of Jewish communities. A synagogue is not a 'holy building' in Jewish communities. A synagogue is not a 'holy building' in itself, but a place for study, meeting and communal itself, but a place for study, meeting and communal worship. worship.

Externally, synagogues usually reflect local architectural Externally, synagogues usually reflect local architectural styles. At the entrance is a vestibule which may have styles. At the entrance is a vestibule which may have washing facilities. In Orthodox synagogues, the sexes are washing facilities. In Orthodox synagogues, the sexes are separated. The congregation face Jerusalem while praying. separated. The congregation face Jerusalem while praying. That direction is indicated by the Ark, which contains the That direction is indicated by the Ark, which contains the scrolls of the Torah. Services are led from a raised platform scrolls of the Torah. Services are led from a raised platform where the desk for reading the Torah is located.where the desk for reading the Torah is located.

  

Christian ChurchesChristian Churcheshttp://http://www.christchurchcathedral.co.nzwww.christchurchcathedral.co.nz/Discover/Cathedral-Map/Discover/Cathedral-Map

Christian churches are often the most Christian churches are often the most

distinctive building in a town or village, distinctive building in a town or village,

and may be centuries old. Church and may be centuries old. Church

architecture is an enormous and detailedarchitecture is an enormous and detailed

study, but their typical form derives study, but their typical form derives

from the Roman basilica (meeting hall) when from the Roman basilica (meeting hall) when public Christian worship grew following the public Christian worship grew following the

Christianisation of the Roman Empire in the 400s.Christianisation of the Roman Empire in the 400s.

Traditionally churches are cross-shaped, with the long axis Traditionally churches are cross-shaped, with the long axis aligned east-west. The area east of the transept (the aligned east-west. The area east of the transept (the crossways section) provides space for choir stalls and an crossways section) provides space for choir stalls and an altar. The church has a pulpit for addressing the altar. The church has a pulpit for addressing the congregation, and a font for baptisms. Churches may be congregation, and a font for baptisms. Churches may be decorated with stained-glass windows or decorated with stained-glass windows or

frescoes. An Orthodox church usually frescoes. An Orthodox church usually displays icons. displays icons.

The eastern orthodox church The eastern orthodox church of St Gorazde, on the left of St Gorazde, on the left bank of the mighty Morava bank of the mighty Morava river, Czech Republicriver, Czech Republic

Ornate Choir Stalls – Gloucestoer Cathedral, England

Russian Orthodox Icon

Similarities and differencesSimilarities and differences All monotheisticAll monotheistic AbrahamicAbrahamic Worship in special Worship in special

placesplaces PrayPray Jerusalem is a holy Jerusalem is a holy

placeplace Pilgrimages to holy Pilgrimages to holy

placesplaces Symbols of faithSymbols of faith Special bookSpecial book

Friday, Saturday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday – days to Sunday – days to worshipworship

Wear special clothing Wear special clothing – Jews & Muslims– Jews & Muslims

Different symbolsDifferent symbols