WORLDVIEWS IN FOCUS: MEET AMIRA

1) Based on the text, what is the most significant difference between the Christian worldview's basis for human value and the Islamic worldview's basis for entering heaven?

• a) The Christian worldview values individuals based on their talents, while the Islamic worldview values them based on their wealth.
• b) The Christian worldview says value comes from being made in God's image, while the Islamic worldview says entry into heaven is based on a balance of good and bad deeds.
• c) The Christian worldview values people for their possessions, while the Islamic worldview values them for their social standing.
• d) The Christian worldview believes everyone is equal regardless of race, while the Islamic worldview prioritizes people based on their gender.

2) Amira feels "a little uneasy" about Allah. Which detail from the text best explains the reason for her anxiety?

• a) Allah is described as all-knowing and eternal, which she finds intimidating.
• b) She is afraid that she will break one of Allah's laws and make him angry because he is so different from people that he cannot be known or related to.
• c) She is worried that her father's prayers will not be enough to please Allah.
• d) She knows she hasn't learned enough Arabic to fully understand the prayers.

3) The text states that Amira's father "is gruff" but loves his daughters. Which of his actions provides the strongest evidence for this claim?

• a) He wants her to marry and start a family instead of having a career.
• b) He declares that her mother makes the best falafel he has ever tasted.
• c) He insists on being present whenever the women of his family leave the house.
• d) He allows Amira to study and learn from the Qur'an, a privilege not granted to many Muslim girls in stricter countries.

4) How does the passage portray the primary role of a woman in Amira's family and community?

• a) To be a financial provider for her family by running a business.
• b) To study and have a career to contribute to the spread of Islam.
• c) To take care of a husband and family, contributing to the spread of Islam by raising the next generation of Muslims.
• d) To lead prayers and teach Islamic law to her children.

5) The practice of separating men and women in social settings is described as a way to "protect them from inappropriate contact or desires." Given the context of the entire passage, what does this rule imply about the societal view of gender relations?

• a) It implies that men are naturally more devout and must be protected from female distractions.
• b) It suggests that men and women are seen as having different, and potentially distracting, roles in worship and social settings.
• c) It demonstrates a deep distrust between genders and a fear of any interaction.
• d) It is primarily a way to protect women from harm by keeping them separated from men.

6) What can be inferred about the different expectations for Amira and her brother Rashid from their father's actions?

• a) Both are expected to become heads of their own households one day.
• b) Amira is required to learn all prayers by heart while Rashid is not.
• c) Rashid is required to learn more because he will one day be the head of his household, whereas Amira's role is to support her husband and family.
• d) Amira is expected to be more involved in business, while Rashid is expected to take care of the family's finances.

7) The text mentions that Amira's mother is "secretly glad" that her husband has not asked her to wear the burkha. What does this detail reveal about the mother's character?

• a) She secretly wishes her husband would be stricter with her.
• b) She is fully content with her current situation and has no personal opinions.
• c) She holds some personal preferences for freedom within the family's religious practices, even if she doesn't openly express them.
• d) She is not a good Muslim and is trying to avoid her religious duties.

8) The text explains that the Hijrah is the foundation for the Muslim calendar. What does this historical detail suggest about the Muslim worldview of history?

• a) It shows that the year 622 is considered the beginning of the world.
• b) It emphasizes that the escape of the Prophet Muhammad is the central, foundational event of their history and identity.
• c) It demonstrates that they use a lunar calendar to align with the phases of the moon.
• d) It proves that the Muslim calendar is much more accurate than the Christian one.

9) What is the main purpose of the Muslim practice of fasting during Ramadan, as described in the text?

• a) To lose weight and be healthier.
• b) To teach them to be content and to understand what poor people experience so they can be more generous.
• c) To prepare them for the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.
• d) To show devotion to Allah by proving their physical strength.

10) When Amira sees the English family without an escort and not wearing head scarves, what does this observation most likely make her realize?

• a) That all English people are rude and afraid of Muslims.
• b) That non-Muslims are not as religious as her family.
• c) That her family's cultural norms and religious practices differ significantly from those of many people in London.
• d) That her father is too strict with her and her sister.