Mythbusters!
This activity looks at some statements about Islam and Muslims.
You will need:
30 cards, blank summary sheet, worksheet
Activities:
1 Working in pairs/groups, sort out the 30 cards you have been given into 3 piles: 10 statements, 10 true/false cards and 10 explanation cards.
Looking at each statement, decide whether it is true or false and choose the correct explanation to go with each.
Arrange and stick the cards on the separate sheet.
2 Look again at the statements.
Pick the 2 statements that you think are most likely to cause most people to fear Islam or Muslims and make Islamophobia more likely.
For each statement, explain why you believe this and think of some ways that we could help people better understand the truth.
Complete this on the worksheet.
3 Report back to the class after discussion.
Think about what points are important, such as stereotyping, perceptions of people that don’t know the facts, and myths put forward by some of the media.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn about some myths and facts about Islam
2. Understand why untruths can lead to Islamophobia
3. Identify some ways to prevent untruths causing Islamophobia
Learning Outcomes:
L3:Identify the statements correctly
L4:Describe what is being said
L5: Explain what the statements mean
L6: Analyse and give your views
Mythbusters - Cards (teacher cuts out prior to lesson)
StatementTrue/FalseExplanation
Islam is the World’s 2nd biggest religion / TRUE /- Christianity: 2 Billion
- Islam: 1.3 Billion
- Hinduism: 900 000
Muslims worship a different God to Christians and Jews / FALSE / Allah means the one ‘God’. The roots of all 3 faiths are the same, so they worship the same God
Muslims have only recently come to Britain / FALSE / Muslims have been here for well over 1000 years. The first large group arrived as sailors recruited from India 300 years ago.
Muslim women and girls have no rights and are oppressed / FALSE / Women were given rights in Islam 1400 years ago. eg. A woman that works has the right to keep her own money
Muslims believe in forced marriage / FALSE / The Qur’an says that women have a right to choose their own partner
Islam is a violent religion / FALSE / The Qur’an promotes peace, harmony and tolerance.
Muslims helped Britain in the 2nd World War / TRUE / Thousands of Muslims from Asia fought alongside British soldiers to help the war effort
Muslim women have to cover themselves / FALSE / This is not required by Islam. Some cultures do practice this, but Islam does not require it.
Female Muslims have become world leaders / TRUE / Muslim women go to work just as any other women and have become Heads of State in Indonesia, Turkey, Bangladesh and Pakistan
Islam does not tolerate other Faiths / FALSE / The Qur’an reminds Muslims that they are not the only ones that worship God. They should protect not just Mosques, but monasteries, synagogues and churches because God is worshipped there.
Mythbusters - Summary Sheet
StatementTrue/FalseExplanation
Islam is the World’s 2nd biggest religion / TRUE /- Christianity: 2 Billion
- Islam: 1.3 Billion
- Hinduism: 900 000
Muslims worship a different God to Christians and Jews / FALSE / Allah means ‘God’. The roots of all 3 faiths are the same
Muslims have only recently come to Britain / FALSE / Muslims have been here for well over 1000 years. The first large group arrived as sailors recruited from India 300 years ago.
Muslim women and girls have no rights and are oppressed / FALSE / Women were given rights in Islam 1400 years ago.
Muslims believe in forced marriage / FALSE / The Qur’an says that women have a right to choose their own partner
Islam is a violent religion / FALSE / The Qur’an promotes peace, harmony and tolerance.
Muslims helped Britain in the 2nd World War / TRUE / Thousands of Muslims from Asia fought alongside British soldiers to help the war effort
Muslim women have to cover themselves / FALSE / This is not required by Islam. Some cultures do practice this, but Islam does not require it.
Female Muslims have become world leaders / TRUE / Muslim women go to work just as any other women and have become Heads of State in Indonesia, Turkey, Bangladesh and Pakistan
Islam does not tolerate other Faiths / FALSE / The Qur’an reminds Muslims that they are not the only ones that worship God. They are commanded to protect not just Mosques, but monasteries, synagogues and churches because God is worshipped there.