Engaging with Islam
Topic outline
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There are about 245,000 Muslims living in Birmingham and about 120 Mosques. It is a diverse community and the people we work with might have Muslim friends, learn about Islam in school, or have Muslim relatives. Islam is the second largest religion in Birmingham and across the UK. The age profile of Muslims is younger than almost all other faiths, and Muslims make up a significant proportion of the children and young people across Birmingham. This module will give you some basic information and the confidence to help people in church befriend and share their faith with Muslim peers.
Desired Learning Outcomes:
- To gain basic knowledge about Islam and the Muslim community in Birmingham
- To discover some similarities and differences between Islam and Christianity
- To have the confidence to help Christian people befriend Muslim peers or do so yourself
This module has been created by Canon Dr Andrew Smith, Director of Interfaith Relations at Church of England Birmingham. You will work independently through the module, sometimes stopping to reflect on what we explore here or make notes for your own use. The module includes a quiz to test what you have learned, and ends by suggesting ways you could engage with Muslims in your community or help others to do so.