Sydney Islam

Introduction
Islam, a Semitic religion, is the second largest religion in the world. Over 1.6 billion people follow
Islams teachings and their ways of life. The religion was founded in Saudi Arabia around 622
common era. This very young religion is the most practiced in the Middle East, North Africa,
Indonesia, and Turkey and Albania. Muhammad was the original founder of Islam. He received the
word of god whilst doing his annual visit to the caves. He was god's messenger or prophet. Muslims
say that he was chosen to tell everyone that there was only one god. While sitting in a cave in Hira,
Muhammad was thinking about the earth and why some people were rich and some poor, and why
the world had so many gods. Then Muhammad was visited by Jibrial and he told him he needed to
read. However, like most people in his time he could not read. Then the angel told him all the word of
god that he had to memorize. After hours of hard work, he took all of the words to people who could
write. Then the words of god were turned into the Koran. Muslims call this the night of power.

General Beliefs
Muslims have a certain set of beliefs of which they live their daily lives around, called the five pillars
of faith. Muslims believe in one god, Allah. He sees everything and knows everything, he was never
born and will never die. Muslims believe that Muhammad was not a god, but he was Gods
messenger. They believe that Muhammad born in Mecca, the holy city of Islam. The first pillar is that
there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah. The Second thing a Muslim must
do is Salat, which is a prayer ritual five times a day: morning, lunch, afternoon, sunset and before
bed. During prayer you must say certain words and face Mecca, wash before you start to pray and
take off your shoes then you kneel and begin the prayer session. The third pillar of Faith is Zakat.
Zakat is giving alms to the poor. They must donate 2.5% of their salary to the poor. Another pillar of
faith is Sawn. Sawm is fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. You cannot eat between sunrise
and sunset. The last and probably the most important pillar is Hajj. Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Muslims need to try to make a journey to the holy city of mecca one time in their life. Some families
save up their whole lives for this religious trip.

Rituals and Practices

There are many things Muslims do in supporting their religion. One is the pilgrimage called Hajj. This
pilgrimage every Muslim must do once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage to Mecca is so important that
only Muslims are allowed in. 3.5 million people come to worship the birthplace of Muhammad. It is
considered a rite of passage. The Kaaba, a large box in the center of the gathering representing
god, is in center of gathering. Everybody turns towards it when praying. Then they all walk around
the Kaaba seven times. Muslims also travel to Arafat to have forgiveness of their mistakes. After
Arafat they must return to Mecca for the last time to one last ceremony.

Celebrations and Festivals

Muslims have many ceremonies and celebrations which are bright and lively with happiness and
color. A Muslim marriage is called Nikah. It is a very simple ceremony. It usually consists of reading
the Qur'an and an exchange of vows in front of witnesses for both the bride and groom. No special
religious official is necessary for the procedure of the marriage. Often the Imam, an Islamic worship
leader, is present and gives a short sermon. There are a certain set of things that are basic in all
Muslim marriages. One of these is that the marriage must be made public. It is usually achieved by
holding a huge feast after the ceremony. This feast is called Walimah. This is only specific for the
publicity of a Muslim marriage. In some cultures, there may be dancing, firing, guns, and lots of
noise at the Walimah.
http://padlet.com/sforster12/or2s5d3ugr1m - Islam notes link