Iran & Middle East

FOUNDATIONS of ISLAM• “Islam” = “Surrender to God”

• Prophet – Muhammad (d. 632)

• His preaching accepted as early as 622

• Emphasis on:- individual’s relationship to God- human relations in society

• Islamic law governs all aspects of life(no distinction between secular and sacred)

BASIC TENETS of the FAITH

• Qu’ran (Koran) – revealed word of God

• Belief in single, monotheistic God

• Belief in angels (agents of God)

• Belief in prophets (Muhammand follows line from Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus...)

• Belief in a final “Day of Judgement”

FIVE “PILLARS” OF ISLAM

• To recite the “Profession of Faith” at least once in your life

• To observe the 5 daily prayers

• To pay the “Zukat” for the support of the poor

• To fast during daylight hours in the holy month of Ramadan

• To perform the “Haij” (pilgrimage to Mecca), if possible

LAWS & CODE of CONDUCT

• Based on Qu’ran (known only through Muhammad, until his death)

• Haddith - Interpretations & Opinions by followers

• Sunnah – “Well Trodden Path” (developed later, consensus of community) (70-90%)

• Shi’ia - “Partisans of Allah” (conservative)10-20%)

• Sufi – emphasis on the spiritual aspects

Qu’ran Book 73 Verse 4• YUSUFALI translation: [1] O thou folded in garments!

[2] Stand (to prayer) by night, but not all night,[3] Half of it,- or a little less, [4] Or a little more; and recite the Qur'an in slow, measured rhythmic tones.

• PICKTHAL translation: [1] O thou wrapped up in thy raiment![2] Keep vigil the night long, save a little –[3] A half thereof, or abate a little thereof [4] Or add (a little) thereto - and chant the Qur'an in measure,

• SHAKIR translation: [1] O you who have wrapped up in your garments! [2] Rise to pray in the night except a little,[3] Half of it, or lessen it a little[4] Or add to it, and recite the Quran as it ought to be recited.

Qur’an Book 7 Verse 204• YUSUFALI translation: [204]

When the Qur’an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy.

• PICKTHAL translation: [204] And when the Qur’an is recited, give ear to it and pay heed, that ye may obtain mercy.

• SHAKIR translation: [204]And when the Qur’an is recited, then listen to it and remain silent, that mercy may be shown to you.

THE ARTS & MUSIC in ISLAM

• Little music before Islam, except Poetry

• Visual arts limited to abstract figuration

• Music forbidden by Orthodox as article of faith (but….nothing in Qu’ran)

• Khandan – chanting of Qu’ran

• Musiqi – secular music (all other types)

Chanting the Qu’ran

• YouTube - Quran Recitation Fahd Al-Kanderi/Kandari- surat at-tawbah (10:58)

• YouTube - My Favourite Qur'an Recitors (Some Of My Favourite) (10:23)

• YouTube - Quran recitation by Ahmed Saud [w/ English translation] (9:16) [entire Chapter 52]

• YouTube - Amazing recitation of the Qur'an by a young child! (2:31)

• beautiful recitation - Surat al-Fajr – الفجر سورةYouTube (6:40)

KHANDAN vs. MUSIQI• Chanting of Qur’an

(vocal)

• Free rhythm(non-metrical)

• Improvisatory(or sounds like)

• Monophonic

• Sacred

• Traditional

• Uses Instruments

• Strict rhythms(metrical)

• Pre-composed

• Polyphonic

• Secular

• Westernized

Khandan or Musiqi?• Islamic Call to Prayer - [Islam Calls You] – YouTube

• 09-ESKİ ORDU MARŞI [HD] – YouTube

• Horon - Folk Dance from Black Sea Region of Turkey (Rize Kalkandere) – YouTube

• Taksim turkish Saz Baglama - Youness Lhorri – YouTube

• Sarı Zeybek - Sergio Pugnalin on bağlama saz solo – YouTube

• The Sufi Whirling Dervishes of Istanbul – YouTube

• - - - Fella Ya gelbi Dvdrip يا - معاك نتحدث الجزائرية فلةYouTube – قلبي

• belly dancer in qatar – YouTube

• AbdEl Gadir Salim - Bitzid Min' Adhabi - YouTube

• Masters of Persian Music - Saz va Avaz (Nahoft) - YouTube