Islam

Islam is another major faith that traces its history back to Abraham. Muslim believe in the same god as Jews and Christians, whom they call Allah.

Founder

• Muhammad, who was born in A.D. 870 at Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.

How many Gods?

• One

Holy Writings

• The Koran is the sacred book of Islam

Beliefs

• The Five Pillars, or main duties are:
  • Profession of Faith - the statement of faith, which is "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.
  • Prayer - praying five times a day
  • Charitable giving
  • Fasting - fasting from eating and drinking at certain times, including during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan
  • Pilgrimage to Mecca - called hajj, making a pilgrimage, or religious trip to Mecca at least once.

Types

• Almost 90% of Muslims are Sunnis, Shites are the second largest group. The Shites split from the Sunnis in 632, when Muhammad died.

Where

• Islam is the main religion of the Middle East, Asia and North Africa