Stop Now, Act Now: End Muslim Discrimination
Islam
History
Islam began in the early Seventh Century with a small community of believers and followers in Arabia when Muhammad, the messenger of Allah (God), repeated revelations that he had received from Allah himself. Muhammad began to spread the belief that one, and only one, God existed. The revelations Muhammad recited are currently verses in the Holy Book of Islam called the Qu'ran.
Beliefs
Those who follow Islam (primarily Muslims) have six main beliefs called the Articles of Faith.
Religious Practices
In Islam, there are five different religious practices represented by five pillars.
First Pillar: Shahadah (The Statement of Faith)
Traditional Dress
Both men and women have a modest dress code in Islam. This stems from the belief that Allah wants people of the opposite sex to be attracted to each other for more than just their looks. Allah's ultimate goal is for men and women to have complete respect for one another's personalities and inners souls.
Islamic Views of Al-Qaeda
Terrorists and terrorism is not accepted by those who follow Islam. They believe that terrorism goes against the peaceful nature and all beliefs of Islam. They do not consider terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaeda, to be Islamic and regard Al-Qaeda's leaders as not following Islamic faith.
Islam began in the early Seventh Century with a small community of believers and followers in Arabia when Muhammad, the messenger of Allah (God), repeated revelations that he had received from Allah himself. Muhammad began to spread the belief that one, and only one, God existed. The revelations Muhammad recited are currently verses in the Holy Book of Islam called the Qu'ran.
Beliefs
Those who follow Islam (primarily Muslims) have six main beliefs called the Articles of Faith.
- The primary belief is that there is only one God, referred to as Allah (the Arabic translation of God).
- Believe in angels.
- Believe in the Holy Book called the Qu'ran.
- Believe in the Prophets; Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Duwad (David), Isa (Jesus), and the final prophet Muhammad.
- Those who follow Islam believe in the Day of Judgement, the day where every person is assessed and judged by Allah whether they will go to heaven or hell.
- Islam believes in Predestination; the notion that Allah knows all that will happen, however this doesn't stop humans from making their own choices.
Religious Practices
In Islam, there are five different religious practices represented by five pillars.
First Pillar: Shahadah (The Statement of Faith)
- Allah is the only God and Muhammad is his messenger.
- Islamic followers must pray five times a day facing Mecca. Each prayer is done at a certain time of day pre-distingued by Allah.
- At the end of every year, those who follow Islam must give 2.5% of their total wealth to benefit the poor. This is done to enforce the belief in the Qu'ran that all humans are equal and that wealth must be shared among the less fortunate.
- Fasting is done during Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Fasting is essential in order to become spiritually stronger, learn self-discipline, and share the sufferage of the poor among other reasonings.
- Hajj is a holy place to Islamic followers of all cultures, ethnic groups, and social statuses. It represents a place of total equality where all come together peacefully. The Hajj embodies the importance of life by stripping away social markers. In Mecca, Muslims wear plain, non-differentiating clothing called Ihram to represent total equality among all. Upon their visit, believers of Islam stand before the Kaaba and praise Allah. Islam puts high priority on every follower to make the travel to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they have the means to.
Traditional Dress
Both men and women have a modest dress code in Islam. This stems from the belief that Allah wants people of the opposite sex to be attracted to each other for more than just their looks. Allah's ultimate goal is for men and women to have complete respect for one another's personalities and inners souls.
- Example: Women wear headscarves, referred to as a Hijab, so that men will get to know them and respect them as a person not based on looks.
Islamic Views of Al-Qaeda
Terrorists and terrorism is not accepted by those who follow Islam. They believe that terrorism goes against the peaceful nature and all beliefs of Islam. They do not consider terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaeda, to be Islamic and regard Al-Qaeda's leaders as not following Islamic faith.
