SPATIAL DIFFUSION OF ISLAM - A TEACHING STRATEGY

Islam is a universalizing monotheistic religion which originated in the Middle East and spread to vast regions of Asia and Africa. Recent resurgence of religious dynamism, interest in oil resources, and persistence of geopolitical conflicts make the Islamic core region a recurring source of news. Islam, as a way of life, does not distinguish between church and state. In this context, understanding religious values is an imperative to understanding culture and regional problems. This paper presents a strategy for introducing students to the principles of Islam from a geographic perspective. Spatial diffusion is the conceptual framework for organizing and presenting information about the origin, spread, and spatial patterns of Islam. It encourages students to conceptualize the carriers of and the barriers to the flow of religious information. This flexible teaching strategy keeps students actively involved throughout the learning process.