Islam

1. Islam is the second most popular religion and means peace, submission and obedience.

2. Islam has over one billion followers.

3. Islam began in Arabia and is the main religion of the Middle East, Asia and the north of Africa.

4. Followers of Islam are called Muslims, they believe there is only one God, Allah.

5. Islam was revealed to the world by the prophets and in particular the last Prophet Muhammad who was born in AD 570 at Mecca.

6. After Muhammad’s name, Muslims recite a small prayer asking Allah to bless him and give him peace.

7. There are no pictures of Muhammad because Muslims don’t worship any image because pictures are of man.

8. They take care to only worship Allah who has no image.

9. Muslims perform duties to show their faith, these are known as the Five Pillars of Islam.

10. These include shahadah, a statement of faith, salah, prayer, zakat, charity, saum, fasting, hajj, pilgrimage.

11. The sacred text of Islam is the Koran, which is the word of Allah, this was given to Muhammad over a period of years.

12. There is only one version of the Koran, written in Arabic.

13. Muslims worship in mosques, these often have domed roofs and tall towers, called minarets, from which people are called to prayer.

14. There are no pictures or statues in mosques, they are decorated with patterns and words from the Koran.

15. There is little furniture because Muslims use prayer mats and shoes are taken off on entry.

16. Often there is a fountain or pool for washing, providing spiritual cleansing and purity.

17. Muslims have six beliefs.

(1) Belief in Allah as the only God

(2) Belief in angels

(3) Belief in the holy books

(4) Belief in the prophets

(5) Belief in the Day of Judgement

(6) Belief in predestination

18. Muslims are required to pray five times a day.

19. They wash themselves before prayer and face Mecca, where Muhammad lived, when praying.

20. Each period of prayer has a special name and is separated by two hours.

21. Mecca is the holiest city on Earth to Muslims.

22. They complete pilgrimages to Mecca.

23. Ramadan (4th Oct - 3rd Nov) which involves fasting is an important Muslim festival.

24. When the fasting ends the festival of Eid al-Fitr, the breaking of the fast, begins.

25. Almost 90% of Muslims are Sunnis, Shi’ahs are the second largest group.

26. Shi’ah Muslims split from the Sunnis in AD 632 when Muhammad died.

27. Muslims do not eat anything from pigs, and alcohol is strictly forbidden.