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Some muslims believe that only vocal music is permissible and that instruments are forbidden

There is a strong Tradition of cappella devotional singing

Other muslims believe that any instrument is lawful as long as it’s used for the permissible kinds of music

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Muslims have to pray five times a day at certain times, always facing Mecca.

One before sunrise, one at noon, one in the afternoon, one after sunset, and one between sunset and midnight

Each year, Muslims practice Siyam, or fasting.

For 30 days a year, during the month of Ramadan they cannot eat, drink, or have affairs when the sun is up.

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Animal Sacrifice

believe that it is God has given them the right to kill these animals and eat them

Muslims are required to mention God at the time the animal is killed

encouraged to perform animal sacrifice at special occasions in the Islamic calendar

it is expected that part of the meat of the animal would be donated to the poor.

Charity

Required to give certain percentages of any type of wealth that they have accumulated.

must give 2.5% of the money they have saved each year

not based on income, it is based on savings

small portion of the money that is sitting in the bank accounts of wealthy people and not helping anyone is used every year to help the poor

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Traditional Muslim Practices and Background

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Traditional Muslim Practices and Background

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Islam is a religion that is 1,400 years old found by Muhammad

At least once in their life each Muslim is expected to undertake a Pilgrimage to Mecca, the sacred city of Islam. It is a holy journey and called hajj in Arabic

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Basic Teachings

Five Pillars of Faith and comprise confession of Faith

Prayer

Giving alms

Fasting during Ramadan (ninth month of Muslim year )

Another word for Islamic faith is "dawah" The call to prayer signals that the time for prayer has arrived, 5 times a day all around the globe there is calls to pray

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Two major sects of Islam

Most beliefs are the same, yet leadership issues differ depending on sect

Majority are Sunni Muslim (85%)

Sunni Muslim people believe that the first four caliphs rightfully took Mohammed's place as leader of Islam.

Shia numbers = 15%

Shia Muslim people believe that the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are legitimate successors of Mohammed.

Certain countries (Iraq, Iran) are mostly Shia

Iraq has seen the effect of where a leader (Saddam Hussein, Sunni Muslim) had different beliefs over the majority of Iraq (Shia Muslim)

Middle East Countries: Islam Majorities
Iraq (63% Shia, 34% Sunni)
Iran* (90% Shia, 9% Sunni)
Bahrain (70% Shia, 30% Sunni)
Turkey (15% Shia, 85% Sunni)
Jordan (2% Shia, 92% Sunni)
Syria (13% Shia, 74% Sunni)
Lebanon (36% Shia, 22% Sunni, 41% Other)
Qatar* (14% Shia, 86% Sunni)
Saudi Arabia* (5% Shia, 95% Sunni)

* Indicates a country where abandoning Islam can be faced with the death penalty

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The Five Pillars

1st Pillar: Shahadah, a public declaration of faith, which is the recitation of the Islamic creed(basic belief).

2nd Pillar: Salat, or Prayer. Muslims have to pray five times a day at certain times, always facing Mecca.

3rd Pillar: Zakat, or giving. A Muslim must give 2.5% of his/her wealth to charity.

4th Pillar: Siyam, or fasting, is when a Muslim for 30 days must not eat, drink, or have sexual relations from dawn to sunset.

5th Pillar: Hajj is where a Muslim must travel (take a pilgrimage) to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

They must go to the Kaaba (a sacred Islamic site) to pray and worship Allah

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Muslim Places of Worship

A Mosque is a place where Muslims worship and pray to Allah

The leader of a Mosque is a Imam

The Friday noon prayers are most important

During the Friday service, the Imam reads from the Qu’ran, leads in prayer, and gives a sermon(a talk about a religious subject)

People also go to Mecca to visit where Muhammed was born

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Ashura-

time of fasting and inner thoughts

celebrated on 10th day of Muharram (1st month)

Eid-Al-Adha-

major holiday

celebrates the sacrifice that Abraham was willing to make of his son (Ishmael) when he was commended to show his commitment to Allah (god)

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celebrated on the first day of Muharram

on first Islamic month

usually quiet unlike other New Year’s celebrations

This year it’s on Thursday September 21, 2017

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based on the revolutions of the moon

354 days long