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| Having spent some time reading about Islam the below is the main points that I have picked up. It has given us a better understand of the cultural that we were travelling through and answered a few of the questions we have had since travelling through the Middle East. |
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| The main principle of Islam is that they believe there is one God (Allah) and that he must be worshipped. Also Muhammad is his final prophet sent down after Noah, Moses and Jesus to revive and refine their words. |
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| Islam is based on 5 duties which all Muslims must perform to: |
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| Statement of Faith “I testify that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is the message from God ; Prayer 5 times a day and on Friday’s man go to the mosque (Friday in the Middle East is their day off); Alms One Fortieth of a person wealth should be given away in accordance to the Koran, i.e. the poor, people burden with debt, travellers and freeing of slaves; Fasting during the month of Ramadan No food, liquid or smoking is to be done during day light hours during this month. Pilgrimage Those that Can afford to should make a Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life time. |
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| Other interesting information I have found out. |
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| Prayer beads They are either in rings of 33 or 99 and the idea is that 3 sentences are recited over and over again until the 99 cycle is complete. “Glory to God”; “Thanks be to God”; “God is most great”. |
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| Prayer Calling 5 times a day in the Middle East you hear the prayer calling, even at 5am in the morning. Muslim’s are summoned to pray by the muezzins, mostly a tape played from the minaret (towers) of the mosque. The voice is saying “God is most great, I testify there is no god but God. I testify that Muhammad is the message from God. Come to prayer. Come to Salvation. God is most great.” The only difference is in the dawn call where “Prayer is better than sleep” is added. |
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| Before the 5 formal prayers each day, Muslims must be in a state of ritual purity. This is achieved by rinsing the mouth, sniffing water into the nostrils, washing the face, feet, ears, neck and back of head and then finally the hands and forearms. This is why there are so many fountains outside mosques. |
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| Marriage A men can have up to 4 wives but this is rarely the case these days. Unmarried people remain in the family home until they are married. Men will either stay in the family complex (ie 2/3/4 houses/flats on the same site) or will move into the house next door and it is women that move away. |