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Islam
In the 7th century, the prophet Muhammad
founded a religion in Arabia that was to become
a powerful force in the world. the religion
came to be known as Islam, and its followers
are called Muslims (or Moslems). Muslims
believe that many prophets or teachers
have been sent by God, including Moses
and Jesus christ, but Muhammad was the
last of them. Like christians and Jews,
Muslims believe in one God, Allah.
Islam means “submission to the will of
God,” and Muslims commit themselves
to absolute obedience to Allah.
Islamic life is based on a set of rules
called the five pillars of Islam. Muslims believe
that by following these rules, they will reach heaven.
there is also a strict code of social behavior, and alcohol and
gambling are forbidden. Some Muslim women wear clothes that cover
their bodies completely.
today there are more than
1.5 billion Muslims living
mainly in the Middle east,
Asia, and Africa. Islam
is a rapidly growing faith.
Its popularity has been
increased by Islamic
fundamentalists—
extremely religious people
who call for a return to
strict, traditional
Islamic values.BLue MoSque
the first mosques were very
simple, but some later buildings
such as the Blue Mosque at
Istanbul, turkey (right), are
magnificent examples of Islamic
art. Islam forbids realistic
images of humans or other living
things, so the tiled walls are
decorated with intricate designs
and beautiful calligraphy.MoSqueS
the Muslim place of
worship is the mosque.
Before entering, Muslims
remove their shoes and
wash. the faithful kneel
to pray, with their heads
touching the floor. At
prayer time Muslims face
the mihrab, an empty
recess that faces the
direction of Mecca.
Although they must attend
the mosque on Fridays, at
other times Muslims pray
wherever they are.IslamIc FestIvals
Day of Hijrah First day
of Islamic year.
Ramadan Month-long
fast.
eid ul-Fitr Feast to mark
the end of ramadan.
lailat ul-Qadr revelation
of Koran to Muhammad.
meelad ul-Nabi
Muhammad’s birthday.
lailut ul-Isra Death
of Muhammad.MuhAMMAD
the shahada is the Islamic
declaration of faith. It reads, “there
is no god but Allah. Muhammad is
the messenger of Allah.”Before kneeling in prayer
in the mosque, Muslims wash
their faces, hands, and feet.MeccA
the birthplace of Muhammad is
Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and every
Muslim tries to visit the holy city
at least once in a lifetime. the
Kaaba, the sacred shrine, is the
central point of this pilgrimage.
Inside the Kaaba is a black stone
that dates from ancient times. Muslim pilgrims must walk seven times around the Kaaba.Find out more
crusades
Middle east
Muhammad
religionsKorAn
the sacred book of Islam is
the Koran. Muslims believe the
Koran is the direct word
of God as revealed to his
messenger, Muhammad.MInAretS
Five times a day, muezzins,
or criers, stand at the top
of tall towers called
minarets to call fellow
Muslims to prayer.US_288_Islam.indd 288 21/01/16 5:01 pm