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Referred to as the Blue Mosque, it features an exterior with a cascade of domes and six minarets. 

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This was built in 1884 and was destroyed in the 1974 war and built in 2001. It can house 5,000 people and has a rooftop which visitors can overlook the town. 

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Tulay Central Mosque (Masjid Tulay) — Jolo, Sulu

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Tulay Central Mosque (Masjid Tulay) — Jolo, Sulu

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One of the largest mosques in India, built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in the 16th century which made it one of the most visited tourist destination. 

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Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, India

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Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, India

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This is the largest mosque in Japan. It features geometrical designs similar to Islamic architecture. Materials were bought in Turkey which explains the design.

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This is the world's 3rd largest mosque which was built to commemorate the former king’s 60th birthday.  A laser light atop its minaret, points to Mecca every

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This Mosque is built for both Muslims and Christians for worship to truly emphasize the meaning of the color pink which is unity even in different faiths.  

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The Pink Mosque (Dimaukom Mosque) — Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao

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The Pink Mosque (Dimaukom Mosque) — Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao

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The mosque was the resting place of Sheikh Zayed 1st president of UAE.  It can accommodate 41,00 worshippers and is one of the few that is open to non-Muslims. 

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This is Seoul's only mosque and was the first one built in Korea. With the help of funds from Muslim countries and the Korean government, it finished by 1976.

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Seoul Central Mosque, Seoul, South Korea

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Seoul Central Mosque, Seoul, South Korea

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This video basically explains how this split became an issue in Muslim society and more.

Why was there a split?
#1 The prophet did not leave behind an heir
#2 He didn't state who should lead after him

This created the split when one wanted the prophet's bloodline to succeed him. While the other wanted the community to be able to choose a successor.

The Shias/Shiite and Sunnis. United by religion, but divided by views, doctrine, rituals, law, and theology. Ever since the late 20th century, this divide has deepened enough to have started bloody violent wars.

October 8, 2011 - A suicide bomb attack happened in the Shia Said Abad mosque, Kunduz, Afghanistan.  It was said that Sunni Muslim extremists have targeted Shias who they see as heretics.
October 15, 2011 - Same thing happened but in Kandahar, Afghanistan

As a result, it sparked fears of sectarian violence and a resurgence of an old conflict driven by an ancient religious divide that has played out in West Asia for decades. Civil wars in Syria, violence in Iraq, etc.

632 AD -
The Sunnis wanted Abu Bakr Abdullah Ibn Uthman to be the first caliph. Their sanction's name is derived from "Ahl Al-Sunnah" or "'people of tradition." All based on the prophet because they are prominent early followers of Islam and wanted to elect a leader from the community.  Consensus over lineage.

While the Shias favored Ali Ibn Abi Talib because he is the cousin and son-in-law, they wanted to make sure the succession is based on bloodline. They formed a movement called "Shiat Ali" or "The partisans of Ali" since they believed their family was part of the divine order.

See info about the other 2 successors in the History section!

Sunnis thrived politically, the Shias however still pushed for the prophet's descendants as the true caliphs. Ali was the 4th caliph elected but was killed in 661 AD by a Kharijite. Hasan and Hussein were his sons and wanted to take his place but were denied the right to ascension.

The Rashidun caliphate stretched beyond the Arabian Peninsula, and they received taxes & tributes from various tribes under the banner of Islam.

Money + Power = civil war, hence the caliphate was passed to the Umayyad in Damascus 661 - 670 A.D then to the Abbasid in Baghdad 750 - 1258 A.D.

681 A.D, Hussein led a group of 72 followers from Mecca to Karbala (Iraq now) to confront the corrupt caliph Yazid but he was decapitated by an army of Umayyads and brought to Damascus as a tribute to the caliph. The Sunnis thought this would end all claims of leadership by the Shias but their actions lead to an opposite effect.

This battle in Karbala sharpened divisions between Shias and Sunnis since Hussein's martyrdom, it was a moment of cries of injustice from the Shias. Which is commemorated as a sad celebration of self-flagellation the Ashura- the tenth day of Muharram (The first month of the Islamic calendar which forbids warfare.) but it is also celebrated by the Sunnis as a victory God gave to Moses.

Shias got persecuted, marginalized, and portrayed as apostates and heretics by the Sunnis because they were worried Shias would gain sympathy that would topple monarchs.

1501-1736 A.D, the Safavid empire located in Tabriz, the first major Shia dynasty which made Iran go from Sunni to Shia stronghold in West Asia. Shia became the state religion and fought with the Ottomans (where the Sunni caliphate was).

So many other dynasties from both denominations spread around the world. From Europe to the Indian subcontinent, and Central Asia to Africa, but because of European colonialism, these dynasties faded but the differences did not.

The empires became countries. (See pictures)

Later on, this divide becomes irrelevant and the differences became limited to beliefs and practices.

Shias:
Prays with their hands at their side.
Clerics wear black robes and are venerated by Shias as Saints.
Believes in self-flagellation.

Sunnis:
Prays with their hands on their stomach
Clerics wear white robes and aren't venerated as Saints.
Don't believe in self-flagellation.

Shias and Sunnis sometimes get intermarried, lived in mixed neighborhoods.

Yet, after 1979, an Islamic revolution took place in Iran then emerged a new brand of Shia Islam that clashed with Sunni conservatives of Saudi Arabia.

Both started fighting for religious and political control then a power struggle happened again but no war was declared but fought proxy wars instead. This divide is as much about religion and politics.

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Gravitas Plus: The Shia-Sunni Divide: Understanding the split

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Most beautiful mosque in South East Asia. It is located in Bandar Seri Begawan, is the tallest building there, and is also a famous historical site. 

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Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei

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Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei

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Built during the Ming Dynasty. It is also known as the Great Mosque as it was founded by the the son of a prestigious Muslim family who fought off pirates.

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3 M's of the Sharia Law, why is it so controversial?

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3 M's of the Sharia Law, why is it so controversial?

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The 3 M's:
Misrepresentation
Manipulation
Misuse.

These are the factors that make the Sharia law controversial—Why it has bad press

Islamic regimes, politicians,  clerics, radicals, and terrorists have used the Sharia to hurt and rule under the name of Allah.

What exactly is Sharia?
It is Islam's legal and spiritual system. It is divine because it is God's will for humankind, philosophical because it is only based on human understanding of what the divine will is.
It is based on the Quran, Sunnah, and Hadith (definitions can be found in the trivia section) Therefore, there is no single lawbook, definite statute, and judicial precedent of the Sharia, and is often a compilation of conflicting interpretations.

In Arabic, these words translate to
Sharia - The clear, well-trodden path to water. Divine & Infallible
Fiqh - Human understanding of Sharia. Changeable & Arguable

These 2 definitions get interchangeable by Muslim Scholars to fit those in power. Thus, the birth of the 5 schools of thought of the Sharia

Sunni:
1. Hanbali was founded by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal
2.Maliki was founded by Malik Ibn Anas
3. Shafi'i was founded by Muhammad Ibn Idris Ash-Shafi'i
4. Hanafi was founded by Abu Hanifa An-Nu'man
Shia:
5. Ja'fari  was founded by Imam Ja'far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq

THEY ALL ARE THE SAME IN FUNDAMENTALS OF FAITH, BUT WITH DIFFERENT PRACTICES SUCH AS:
- How they pray
- Resolve legal matters
- Settling marital disputes
- Delivering punishment

But what is the matter?
The Sharia should've been the guide to the way of life and not the "law of the land" and political power. It is being used for governance and often ends up with the 3 M's. This started because of Europian Colonialism which introduce power thus the statement "the crown and the church came together" because of influence and then the church was used to give power to the crown.

Many embraced separating the church and state, yet some didn't. Because of such change, many nations started to gain independence by getting rid of the idea of separating church and state and adopting Sharia as their legal system.

1932, Saudi Arabia was formed as a Theocratic Monarchy.
1979, Iran became the Islamic Republic from a Monarchy
1996, The Taliban established a (terror) regime based on the Sharia in Afghanistan.

Some countries cherry-pick verses  in the Quran and enforce discriminatory and patriarchal aspects of Sharia to legalize draconian practices, such as:
Polygamy - practice restricted to war times 'marry oppressed or the orphans among women'
Triple Talaq - no verse validates instantaneous talaq 'divorce over three menstrual cycles'
Female Genital Mutilation - is not mentioned in any Quranic verse, mentioned as non-binding in hadith
+ using punishments not sanctioned in the Quran, not practiced by the prophet.

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Largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia. It was the largest mosque in the world but right now is the 4th. It has a more modern Islamic architecture.

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This is gifted by Sultan Qaboos to mark his 30th year in reign. The main prayer hall contains the world's 2nd largest hand-loomed Persian carpet. 

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Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman

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Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman

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Islam is a monotheistic faith centered around belief in the one God (Allah). In this regard, it shares some beliefs with Judaism and Christianity by tracing its history back to the patriarch Abraham, and ultimately to the first prophet, Adam. All the prophets preached the same universal message of belief in one God and kindness to humanity. The last in the series of prophets, according to Muslims, was Muhammad. Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia around 570 CE. He worked first as a shepherd and then as a merchant. He was not happy with the people around him because of superstitions and social and economic injustice. The people were worshipping many gods and had forgotten the message of prophet Abraham to worship one God. Muhammad loved to pray and meditate in the mountains. On one of those occasions, in the year 610 CE, when he was about 40 years old, he received a revelation from God through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). He continued to receive messages from God throughout his life and he began preaching to others what he had learned. His main message is that there was no other God but Allah and that people should lead their lives in a way that was pleasing to Allah.

Islam spread quickly first throughout Arabia and surrounding countries and then throughout the world. There are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world with 7 million in the United States. Only about 18% of Muslims are Arabs and live in the Middle East. The countries with the largest Muslim populations are Indonesia and India. There are two basic groups of Islam: the Sunnis (about 80% of the world's Muslims) and the Shi'ites (about 20% of the world's Muslims). Although they share the same basic beliefs, they disagree on who was the rightful leader of Islam after Muhammad's death.

Islam is an Arabic word which means "surrender, submission, commitment and peace." Thus, Islam can be defined as a path to attain complete peace through voluntary submission to the divine will.

"Allah" is simply the Arabic word for God. He is the same universal God worshipped by people of all faiths. The word "Allah" is sometimes preferred over God because it is neither masculine nor feminine. Also, there is no plural for "Allah."
Muslims have six major beliefs:

Belief in one God (Allah)

Belief in the Angels

Belief in the holy books sent to all the prophets including Torah that was revealed to the prophet Moses, Bible that was revealed to the prophet Jesus, and Qur'an (Koran) that was revealed to the prophet Muhammad

Belief in all the prophets sent by God including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Although Muslims believe in Isa or Jesus they don't think of Jesus as the Son of God the way Christians do.

Belief in the Day of Judgment and life after death. The best reward for performing good deeds is getting closer to God.

Belief in divine decree. This means that God is all-powerful and nothing can happen without His permission, however, he has given human beings freedom to choose whether to be good or bad. In the end, everyone will be questioned about how they lived in this life.

These are guides for daily life for putting the beliefs of Muslims into practice:

Shahadah (declaration of faith)-to bear witness or testify that there is no god except one God (Allah) and Muhammad is His prophet or messenger.

Salat (ritual prayer)-the five daily prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and night. The prayers are offered in Arabic language and facing the direction of Mecca.

Zakah (alms tax) -Giving 2.5% of one's wealth to the poor and needy.

Sawm (fasting)-Muslims fast during the daylight hours in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar called Ramadan. The purpose is to remind people of the goodness of what they have and to show equality with the poor. Ramadan is a time for study and self-discipline.

Hajj (pilgrimage): Muslims believe in making a pilgrimage to Mecca to the Ka'bah at least once in their lifetime. The kA'bah is believed to have been built by Ibrahim (Abraham) and one of his sons. Muhammad restored it to worship Allah. For this reason it is a very sacred place to Muslims.

Muslims believe that the last revealed scripture sent by God is the Qur'an or Koran. It is the speech of God revealed in the Arabic language to Muhammad during his mission of twenty-three years. The Qur'an was written down by scribes and memorized during the lifetime of Muhammad. The Qur'an emphasizes moral, ethical and spiritual values with the aim of establishing justice for everyone. Many Muslims try to learn to read the Koran in its original language, Arabic. It is not uncommon for Muslims to memorize whole chapters of it. They read part of it every day. The Sunnah is a record of Muhammads words and deeds. The Sunnah is used to help interpret the Koran. There is also instruction in it on belief, worship and behavior.

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Islam is a monotheistic faith centered around belief in the one God (Allah). In this regard, it shares some beliefs with Judaism and Christianity by tracing its history back to the patriarch Abraham, and ultimately to the first prophet, Adam. All the prophets preached the same universal message of belief in one God and kindness to humanity.

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One of the largest in Central Asia. The mosque’s 40m height symbolizes the age when Prophet Mohammad received the revelation.

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Hazrat Sultan Mosque, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

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Hazrat Sultan Mosque, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

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History and other denominations of Islam

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History and other denominations of Islam

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Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity, with about 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. Although its roots go back further, scholars typically date the creation of Islam to the 7th century, making it the youngest of the major world religions. Islam started in Mecca, in modern-day Saudi Arabia, during the time of the prophet Muhammad's life. Today, the faith is spreading rapidly throughout the world.

Islam Facts

The word "Islam" means "submission to the will of God."

Followers of Islam are called Muslims.

Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as Allah.

Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that nothing can happen without Allah's permission, but humans have free will.

Islam teaches that Allah's word was revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.

Muslims believe several prophets were sent to teach Allah's law. They respect some of the same prophets as Jews and Christians, including Abraham, Moses, Noah and Jesus. Muslims contend that Muhammad was the final prophet.

Mosques are places where Muslims worship.

Some important Islamic holy places include the Kaaba shrine in Mecca, the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and the Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina.

The Quran (or Koran) is the major holy text of Islam. The Hadith is another important book. Muslims also revere some material found in the Judeo-Christian Bible.

Followers worship Allah by praying and reciting the Quran. They believe there will be a day of judgment, and life after death.

A central idea in Islam is "jihad," which means "struggle." While the term has been used negatively in mainstream culture, Muslims believe it refers to internal and external efforts to defend their faith. Although rare, this can include military jihad if a "just war" is needed.

Muhammad

The prophet Muhammad, sometimes spelled Mohammed or Mohammad, was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 570 A.D. Muslims believe he was the final prophet sent by God to reveal their faith to mankind.

According to Islamic texts and tradition, an angel named Gabriel visited Muhammad in 610 A.D. while he was meditating in a cave. The angel ordered Muhammad to recite the words of Allah.

Muslims believe that Muhammad continued to receive revelations from Allah throughout the rest of his life.

Starting in about 613, Muhammad began preaching throughout Mecca the messages he received. He taught that there was no other God but Allah and that Muslims should devote their lives to this God.

Hijra

In 622, Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina with his supporters. This journey became known as the Hijra (also spelled Hegira or Hijrah), and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Some seven years later, Muhammad and his many followers returned to Mecca and conquered the region. He continued to preach until his death in 632.

Abu Bakr

After Muhammad's passing, Islam began to spread rapidly. A series of leaders, known as caliphs, became successors to Muhammad. This system of leadership, which was run by a Muslim ruler, became known as a caliphate.

The first caliph was Abu Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law and close friend.

Abu Bakr died about two years after he was elected and was succeeded in 634 by Caliph Umar, another father-in-law of Muhammad.

Caliphate System

When Umar was assassinated six years after being named caliph, Uthman, Muhammad's son-in-law, took the role.

Uthman was also killed, and Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was selected as the next caliph.

During the reign of the first four caliphs, Arab Muslims conquered large regions in the Middle East, including Syria, Palestine, Iran and Iraq. Islam also spread throughout areas in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The caliphate system lasted for centuries and eventually evolved into the Ottoman Empire, which controlled large regions in the Middle East from about 1517 until 1917, when World War I ended the Ottoman reign.

Sunnis and Shiites

When Muhammad died, there was debate over who should replace him as leader. This led to a schism in Islam, and two major sects emerged: the Sunnis and the Shiites.

Sunnis make up nearly 90 percent of Muslims worldwide. They accept that the first four caliphs were the true successors to Muhammad.

Shiite Muslims believe that only the caliph Ali and his descendants are the real successors to Muhammad. They deny the legitimacy of the first three caliphs. Today, Shiite Muslims have a considerable presence in Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Other Types of Islam

Other, smaller Muslim denominations within the Sunni and Shiite groups exist. Some of these include:

Wahhabi: This Sunni sect, made up of members of the Tameem tribe in Saudi Arabia, was founded in the 18th century. Followers observe an extremely strict interpretation of Islam that was taught by Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab.

Alawite: This Shiite form of Islam is prevalent in Syria. Followers hold similar beliefs about the caliph Ali but also observe some Christian and Zoroastrian holidays.

Nation of Islam: This mostly African-American, Sunni sect was founded in the 1930s in Detroit, Michigan.

Kharijites: This sect broke from the Shiites after disagreeing over how to select a new leader. They are known for radical fundamentalism, and today are called Ibadis.

Quran

Nazaruddin Abdul Hamed/EyeEm/Getty Images

The Quran (sometimes spelled Qur'an or Koran) is considered the most important holy book among Muslims.

It contains some basic information that is found in the Hebrew Bible as well as revelations that were given to Muhammad. The text is considered the sacred word of God and supercedes any previous writings.

Most Muslims believe that Muhammad's scribes wrote down his words, which became the Quran. (Muhammad himself was never taught to read or write.)

The book is written with Allah as the first person, speaking through Gabriel to Muhammad. It contains 114 chapters, which are called surahs.

Scholars believe the Quran was compiled shortly after Muhammad's death, under the guidance of Caliph Abu Bakr.
READ MORE: Why the Quran Was a Bestseller Among Christians in 18th Century America
Islamic Calendar

The Islamic calendar, also called the Hijra calendar, is a lunar calendar used in Islamic religious worship. The calendar began in the year 622 A.D., celebrating the journey of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.

The Islamic calendar indicates the proper days of Islamic holidays and celebrations, including the period of fasting and prayer known as Ramadan, which occurs during the ninth month of the calendar.

Islam Symbols

As in many religions, there is no single image or symbol of Islam that is universally accepted by all Muslims worldwide.

The crescent moon and star has been adopted in some predominantly Muslim countries as a symbol of Islam, though the crescent moon and star image is believed to pre-date Islam and was originally a symbol of the Ottoman Empire.

In some other applications, such as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian aid movement, a red crescent indicates that followers of Islam are respected and treated accordingly.

The color green is also sometimes associated with Islam, as it was reportedly a favorite color of Muhammad's and is often featured prominently in the flags of predominantly Muslim countries.

Five Pillars of Islam

Muslims follow five basic pillars that are essential to their faith. These include:

Shahada: to declare one's faith in God and belief in Muhammad

Salat: to pray five times a day (at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening)

Zakat: to give to those in need

Sawm: to fast during Ramadan

Hajj: to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a person's lifetime if the person is able

Sharia Law

Islam's legal system is known as Sharia Law. This faith-based code of conduct directs Muslims on how they should live in nearly every aspect of their lives.

Sharia law requires men and women to dress modestly. It also outlines marriage guidelines and other moral principles for Muslims.

If crimes are committed, Sharia law is known for its harsh punishments. For example, the punishment for theft is amputating a person's hand. Adultery can carry the penalty of death by stoning. However, many Muslims do not support such extreme measures.

Muslim Prayer

The prophet Muhammad is credited with building the first mosque in the courtyard of his house in Medina. Mosques today follow some of the same principles he established in 622 A.D.

Muslim prayer is often conducted in a mosque's large open space or outdoor courtyard. A mihrab is a decorative feature or niche in the mosque that indicates the direction to Mecca, and therefore the direction to face during prayer.

Men and women pray separately, and Muslims may visit a mosque five times a day for each of the prayer sessions. In addition to hosting prayers, mosques often function as public gathering places and social centers.

Muslim Holidays

The two major Muslim holidays are:

Eid al-Adha: celebrates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah.

Eid al-Fitr: marks the end of Ramadan-the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Muslims also celebrate other holidays, such as the Islamic New Year and the birth of Muhammad.

Islam Today

In recent years, Islam's supposed association with terrorism and mass murder has sparked a political debate in many countries. The controversial term "radical Islam" has become a well-known label to describe the religion's connection to acts of violence.

Recent surveys have found that in countries with high Muslim populations, the majority of Muslims have overwhelmingly negative views of terrorist groups like ISIS.

While Muslims aim to clear up misconceptions about their faith, the religion continues to spread rapidly. Today, Islam is the world's fastest growing religion. Experts predict Islam will surpass Christianity as the largest religion by the end of the century.

Sources

Islam, BBC.
Islam: The Second Largest World Religion...And Growing, Religious Tolerance.
Islam Fast Facts, CNN.
Basic Facts About Islam, PBS.
What is Sharia Law and How is it Applied? BBC.
In nations with significant Muslim populations, much disdain for ISIS. Pew Research Center.
Islam Rituals and Worship: Symbolism, The Religion Library.
The Islamic Calendar: TimeandDate.com.

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Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity, with about 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. Although its roots go back further, scholars typically date the creation of Islam to the 7th century, making it the youngest of the major world religions.

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During the 2004 tsunami, many took refuge here. It has withstood many disasters in the 130 years its been standing. 

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Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

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Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

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Read CNN's Islam Fast Facts and learn more about Islam, the religion of Muslims, who believe in Allah and his prophet Muhammad.

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1. Shahada (Profession of Faith) - One becomes Muslim by reciting the phrase of declaring one’s faith in God and belief in Muhammad with conviction. "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God"

2. Salat (Prayer) - Muslims pray 5x a day which is at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.

3. Zakat (Alms) - Donating a fixed portion of their income to those in need is a must and in accordance with Islamic law.

4. Sawm (Fasting) - Fasting during Ramadan. Adult Muslims typically do this by abstaining from food and drink. It is a way to share the hunger and thirst of the needy as a reminder of their religious duty to help the less fortunate.

5. Hajj (Pilgrimage) - Every Muslim who is able must visit the holy city of Mecca and make a pilgrimage at least once during their whole lifetime.

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Known as the "mosque of women" because it contains a tunnel connected to the Ali Ghapu palace which allowed women of the court to pass without being observed. 

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The Five Pillars are the core beliefs and practices of Islam:

1. Profession of Faith (shahada). The belief that "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God" is central to Islam. This phrase, written in Arabic, is often prominently featured in architecture and a range of objects, including the Qur'an, Islam's holy book of divine revelations. One becomes a Muslim by reciting this phrase with conviction.

2. Prayer (salat). Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark. Prayer includes a recitation of the opening chapter (sura) of the Qur'an, and is sometimes performed on a small rug or mat used expressly for this purpose (see image 24). Muslims can pray individually at any location (fig. 1) or together in a mosque, where a leader in prayer ( imam) guides the congregation. Men gather in the mosque for the noonday prayer on Friday; women are welcome but not obliged to participate. After the prayer, a sermon focuses on a passage from the Qur'an, followed by prayers by the imam and a discussion of a particular religious topic.

3. Alms (zakat). In accordance with Islamic law, Muslims donate a fixed portion of their income to community members in need. Many rulers and wealthy Muslims build mosques, drinking fountains, hospitals, schools, and other institutions both as a religious duty and to secure the blessings associated with charity.

4. Fasting (sawm). During the daylight hours of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, all healthy adult Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink. Through this temporary deprivation, they renew their awareness of and gratitude for everything God has provided in their lives-including the Qur'an, which was first revealed during this month. During Ramadan they share the hunger and thirst of the needy as a reminder of the religious duty to help those less fortunate.

5. Pilgrimage (hajj). Every Muslim whose health and finances permit it must make at least one visit to the holy city of Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia. The Ka'ba, a cubical structure covered in black embroidered hangings, is at the center of the Haram Mosque in Mecca (fig. 2). Muslims believe that it is the house Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) built for God, and face in its direction (qibla) when they pray. Since the time of the Prophet Muhammad, believers from all over the world have gathered around the Ka'ba in Mecca on the eighth and twelfth days of the final month of the Islamic calendar.

RELATED AUDIO FROM THE GALLERY GUIDE
Sheila Canby: The call to prayer reminds pious Muslims five times a day to make their prayers to God. Imam Shamsi Ali, from the Islamic Cultural Center of New York, recites it for us in his beautiful voice.

[Recitation]

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The Five Pillars are the core beliefs and practices of Islam.

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Built in the 15th c. and has broken down and renovated a few times. Some say it was built by Bibi-Khanym, Tamerlane’s favourite wife in order to honour him.

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Six Major Beliefs In Islam | The Basics to Islam

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The following six beliefs are those that are commonly held by Muslims, as laid out in the Quran and Hadith. Belief in the Oneness of God: Muslims be...

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Other important moments in Islam History are in the Issues section. 

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Other important moments in Islam History are in the Issues section. 

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I was torn whether to prioritize putting it here or on the Issues section. I have decided it would be better discussed in the issues section since a lot of problems arose right after Muhammad's death. The Sunni-Shia deepening divide is where it's at.  As well as the battle of Karbala

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Akikah. An informal birth ceremony. This ceremony is not practiced widely.

Shadada. The marking of a young Muslim’s formal entry into Islam. There is no set age for this rite, though it is most commonly celebrated during the teenage years.

Marriage Ritual. Witnesses observe the groom’s formal offer of marriage and the brides acceptance of it. There is no elaborate ceremony. The waleemah is the reception which includes music and dancing.

Funerals and Mourning. This includes the recitation of the janazah (prayers for the dead) at the gravesite and may include a service at the funeral home. Muslims do not condone cremation and burial of the dead takes place within 24 hours of death. The official mourning period for a family member is 40 days.

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Referred to as the Prophet's Mosque since it was originally built by Prophet Muhamad himself. This can house 1 million and comes in 2nd as the holiest mosque

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Islam Holy Days, Festivals, Celebrations 

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Islam Holy Days, Festivals, Celebrations 

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This festival marks the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan. It ends with the sighting of the new moon in the sky. Muslims visit their mosque to say special prayers, visit friends and relatives, eat special feast foods and exchange gifts and cards. It is a time of thankfulness for Allah's blessings which are better appreciated because of the experience of fasting during Ramadan.

This is the pilgrimage to Mecca to worship in the Ka'bah. Muslims try to do this at least once in their lifetime. Pilgrims wear plain, identical clothes to show that all are equal in Allah's eyes. They walk around seven times, counterclockwise. They they walk or run seven times between two hills followed by a 16 mile walk to Mount Arafat where Muhammad preached his last sermon. On the way back to Mecca, Muslims throw stones at three stone pillars which represent Satan. Then they make a final seven circles around the kA'bah.

The Hajj, whether on pilgrimage or at home, ends with the festival of Id ul-Adha in which a sheep or goat is sacrificed. This is a reminder of the sacrifice Ibrahim (Abraham) was asked to make of his son, Isma'il (Ishmael). When Ibrahim was just about to sacrifice his son to show his obedience to God, God provided a lamb instead. The festival celebrates God's mercy and Ibrahim's obedience. This story in different versions is in the Koran, the Bible, and the Old Testament which shows the common heritage of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

This festival in Shia communities around the world celebrates the anniversary of the Holy Prophet Mohammed's completion of his final message to humankind with regard to his succession. Ghadir-e-Khun is the famous place where this event took place during the month of Hajj in the 10th year of the Hijra, or migration, of the Prophet Mohammed from Mecca to Medina.

Muslims celebrate this occasion with great rejoicing. Muslims gather to narrate the stories of the Prophet's birth, childhood, his character, manhood and his mission.

The night in which the prophet Mohammed received the first revelation from God. The Night of Power is one of the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. A portion of this night is spent reading the Qur'an and making special prayers.

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This festival marks the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan. It ends with the sighting of the new moon in the sky. Muslims visit their mosque to say special prayers, visit friends and relatives, eat special feast foods and exchange gifts and cards.

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Located within Islamic Heritage Park and was built on a man-made island. It's the first 'intelligent' mosque with IT and WiFi to read the Quran digitally.

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Crystal Mosque, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

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Crystal Mosque, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

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Just like Christianity and Judaism, Islam is also a monotheistic faith that is centered on the belief in the one God/Allah. Muslims believe that Muhammad was the last in the series of prophets that preached the same universal message of kindness to humanity and that there is only one God.

Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia around 570 CE and first worked as a shepherd and then became a merchant. He wasn't happy about the people around him that worshipped many Gods, signifying that from the start he had faith in God and believed the prophet, Abraham.

As Muhammad prayed and meditated in the mountains all the time, then came the year 610 CE that he received a revelation from God through angel Jibril (Gabriel). He was about 40 years old at that time but he kept receiving messages from God and started to preach to others.

About 613 AD, he started teaching in Mecca and traveled to Medina to do the same. His main message was that people should lead their lives that please Allah, the one true God. 622 AD was the year he arrived in Medina and this journey was called the "Hijrah", hence marking the beginning of the Islamic Calendar. He continued to preach up until his last breath, dying in 632 AD.

Later in 645 AD, the Muslims got divided into the Shiite and the Sunnis. This is because they had a disagreement about who should be leading now that Muhammad is dead. 657 AD, the Shiite get divided further since a portion of its followers broke away. (See further details on the denominations of Islam religion on the Trivia section)

In 650-652 AD, the Quran was born. It emphasized the moral, ethical, and spiritual values that establish justice for everyone. The Sunnah on the other hand is a record of Muhammad's deeds and words which is used to help interpret the Quran since it is written in Arabic. The Sunnah contains instruction when it comes to worship, behavior, and belief.

After Muhammad's death, Islam began to spread rapidly. Caliphs are a series of leaders who became successors to Muhammad. A caliphate is a system of leadership that is run by a Muslim ruler.

Abu Bakr was the first caliph, being Muhammad's father-in-law and close friend. He died two years after he was elected and was succeeded in 634 by Caliph Umar, another father-in-law of Muhammad.

Six years later, in 640 AD Umar was assassinated and Uthman, Muhammad's son-in-law took the role of the caliph. Unsurprisingly, Uthman was killed and then Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law became the next caliph. Arab Muslims started to conquer regions in the Middle East such as Syria, Palestine, Iran, and Iraq. It also spread in areas of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

There was a debate on who should replace him as the leader right after he died, which may explain why these caliphs were assassinated. Sunnis and the Shiite became what emerged two sects of Islam. 90% of Sunnis worldwide accept the first 4 caliphs being the true successors to Muhammad. However, the Shitte Muslims believed that it was only the caliph Ali and his descendants are the real successors making the three caliphs illegitimate for them.

After the split, came 4 other denominations. These denominations are explained better in the Trivia Section!

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1. Belief in the Oneness of God: This is the belief that God is the creator of all things. God is omnipotent and omniscient. He has no offspring, race, gender, body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

2. Belief in the Angels of God: This is the belief in the existence of angels. Unseen beings who worship God and carry out God’s orders throughout the universe. The angel Gabriel brought the divine revelation to the prophets.

3. Belief in the Books of God: This is the belief that God revealed holy books or scriptures to a number of God’s messengers. These include the Quran (given to Muhammad), the Torah (given to Moses), the Gospel (given to Jesus), the Psalms (given to David), and the Scrolls (given to Abraham). However, they believe that only the Quran remains as it was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad.

4. Belief in the Prophets or Messengers of God: This is the belief that God’s guidance has been revealed through specially appointed messengers, or prophets. Beginning with the first man, Adam, who is considered the first prophet. Twenty-five of these prophets is mentioned by name in the Quran, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. They believe that Muhammad is the last in this line of prophets, sent for all humankind with the message of Islam.

5. Belief in the Day of Judgment: This is the belief that on the Day of Judgment, humans will be judged for their actions in this life. Those who followed God will be rewarded with paradise and those that reject His guidance will be punished with hell.

6. Belief in the Divine Decree: This article of faith addresses the question of God’s will. This is basically the belief that God controls everything/is governed by divine decree, that whatever happens in one’s life is preordained. Everything is meant to be, through Him. This concept does not negate the concept of “free will;” since humans do not have prior knowledge of God’s decree, they do have freedom of choice.

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Like most religions, Islam observes some of the major events in a persons life:

Akikah. An informal birth ceremony. This ceremony is not practiced widely.

Shadada. The marking of a young Muslim's formal entry into Islam. There is no set age for this rite, though it is most commonly celebrated during the teenage years.

Marriage Ritual. Witnesses observe the groom's formal offer of marriage and the brides acceptance of it. There is no elaborate ceremony. The waleemah is the reception which includes music and dancing.

Funerals and Mourning. This includes the recitation of the janazah (prayers for the dead) at the gravesite and may include a service at the funeral home. Muslims do not condone cremation and burial of the dead takes place within 24 hours of death. The official mourning period for a family member is 40 days.

Ramadan. This Holy Festival takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting and daily repentance.

Lailat ul-Qadr - The final 10 days of Ramadan. Muslims celebrate Muhammad's first revelation.

Id al-Fitr - The feast period just after the month long fast of Ramadan. It lasts for three days.

Id ul-Adha. Two to three months after Ramadan, animals are slaughtered to benefit the poor. The purpose of the the Id ul-Adha is to celebrate the faithfulness and obedience of Abraham.

Al-Isra Wal Miraj. Celebrated on the 27th Day of the 7th month in the Islamic Calendar. It marks Muhammad's journey from Mecca.

Maulid al-Nabi. Celebrates the birth of Muhammad.

- check out the following

Islam for Dummies by Malcolm Clark
Pointing the Finger: Islam and Muslims in the British Media by Julian Petley Islam - An Introduction: Teach Yourself by Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood

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Holy Days, Festivals and Rituals - Diversiton

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Like most religions, Islam observes some of the major events in a persons life: Akikah. An informal birth ceremony. This ceremony is not practiced widely. Shadada. The marking of a young Muslim's formal entry into Islam. There is no set age for this rite, though it is most commonly celebrated during the teenage years.

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3 M's of the Sharia Law, how is it still an issue?

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3 M's of the Sharia Law, how is it still an issue?

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Generally, there are still unjust practices out there that are cruel and ignorant which its followers still stubbornly uphold.

Who are the most affected? Women.
God doesn't judge based on gender, even if Muslim women have always fought and been there alongside the men. Yet, for many clerics it does.

Women CAN'T step out of their homes without a veil.
Men CAN wear WHATEVER they WANT.
Women CAN'T be president.
Men CAN govern for a LIFETIME.
Women CAN'T have an abortion (or refuse to marry)
Men CAN have FOUR WIVES
Women CAN'T travel without a male guardian, drive, have custody of their children after divorce, and can only receive half of their brother's inheritance.

So many RESTRICTIONS and it is framed to be IN THE NAME OF GOD.

Conquest Mindset - wage wars in the name of Islam through terrorism.
- Using religious scholars to craft arguments
- Religion to perpetrate violence
- Exploiting people
- Recruiting (even forcibly doing so) to fight
= All because of political advances

Why do people join them?
- for their faith
- for their land
- for income to get by
- because they just want to purge.

HOWEVER, this doesn't only happen in Islam. It happens in others as well but is much more magnified in this religion since it tends to be aggressive aswell.

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It is the largest mosque in the world, able to house 1.5 million worshippers. Within it contains the Kaaba which serves as the Qiblah at its heart. 

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Updated 6 April 2020 Mosques or Masjids have been the centre of civilisations throughout the history of Islam. They were regarded as the heartbeat of the town where most activities happened during the glorious era of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Nowadays, except for certain mosques, it is more accepted as a place of worship for Muslims where prayers and other religious undertakings happen. Credit: Giphy However, the importance of mosques is never a doubt. Many were built to show Islam's legacy and glory through its design and architecture. Domes, minarets and prayer halls are some of the more prominent similarities in many mosques around the world but depending on the location, each will have its own unique identity. Below are 25 outstanding mosques around the world you should visit ? (in no particular ranking) P.S. Looking to uncover more mosques? These 15 mosques around the world are proof that Islam embraces diversity!

1. Masjid Al-Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

The mosque all Muslims would know by heart and love to be at! The holiest place in Islam features the most important structure in Islam - the Kaaba which serves as the Qiblah at its heart. This mosque is where all Muslims face when we pray. It's the subject to ever present renovations and changes to accommodate Muslims from around the world where certain pillars of the Hajj is performed. It's also the largest mosque in the world and is able to house up to 1.5 million worshippers at any time throughout the year. This number though increases exponentially during the Hajj season.

2. Masjid Nabawi, Medina, Saudi Arabia

Here's another mosque that all Muslims strive to visit one day - Masjid Nabawi in Medina. It was established and originally built by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself and it's been constantly referred to as the Prophet's Mosque ❤️ It's the second holiest mosque after Masjid Al-Haram and can hold around 1 million congregants! Besides praying at this majestic mosque, you'll also find the tombs of the Prophet (PBUH), and his companions, Abu Bakr and Umar. One of the most famous features of the mosque is its green dome - it's where the Prophet's tomb is and originally his wife, Aisha's house.

3. Sheikh-Lotfollah Mosque, Esfahan, Iran

Credit: Babak on Flickr Known as the 'mosque of women' for having a tunnel that was only used by women in the past, the tunnel connected the mosque to the Ali Ghapu palace and enabled women of the court to move in and out of the mosque without being observed. Besides its signature blue and turquoise tiles of Esfahan, another excellent feature of the mosque is the dome exterior which is covered with cream tiles that change colours throughout the day from cream to pink ? P.S. Check out our contributor's journey to Iran here.

4. Hazrat Sultan Mosque, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

One of the largest mosques in Central Asia, the Hazrat Sultan Mosque was constructed in classic Islamic style using traditional Kazakh ornaments. This mosque also has the largest dome in Kazakhstan with four minarets at a height of 77 metres ? The mosque's 40m height also symbolises the age when Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) received the revelation, while the 63m long minarets symbolise the age of his passing.

5. Shah Faisal Masjid, Islamabad, Pakistan

Completed in 1986, the Shah Faisal Masjid is the largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia. It was also once the largest mosque in the world from 1986-1993 before being overtaken by expansions and constructions of mosques elsewhere and is currently the fourth largest mosque in the world. Designed and shaped based on a desert Bedouin's tent, it functions as Pakistan's national mosque with its modern Islamic architecture at the forefront.

6. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei

Located in Bandar Sri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam, it is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in South East Asia. Besides a place of worship, it is also a major historical site and a famous tourist attraction. Visitors of Brunei would not want to miss this structure as it dominates the skyline with one of its minarets being the tallest building in Bandar Sri Begawan. Apparently, the Sultan ordered the top storey of a nearby building to be removed, in order for it to not exceed the minaret's height. It also features a ceremonial stone boat in the lagoon, which is based on a 16th-century royal barge! P.S. Looking for more places to explore in Brunei? We've got just the list you'd need!

7. Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Credit: Dr. Norbert on Flickr An impressive structure, visible from both bridges that join Abu Dhabi Island to the mainland, this mosque features beautiful gardens and serves as a brilliant landmark to the city. It is also the resting place of its namesake, Sheikh Zayed - the first president of UAE. The mosque features 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, 24-carat gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet. It's able to accommodate 41,000 worshippers and is one of the few mosques in the region that is also open to non-Muslims ?

8. Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Credit: Milamber on Flickr This marvellous architecture was built to commemorate the former king's 60 th birthday! Along with its 210m minaret, the mosque rises above the ocean in its full galore of being the world's third largest mosque. It features heated flooring, a retractable roof, a section of glass flooring and also a laser light atop its minaret, pointing to Mecca every single night. It started when King Hassan II stated his wish for the city to "be endowed with a large, fine building of which it can be proud of until the end of time" on his birthday, owing to the fact that Casablanca lacks any historical monument of sorts. Thirteen years later, he inaugurated the Hassan II Mosque which was built on a rocky outcrop of reclaimed land.#HHWT Tip: Explore Morocco with our 7D6N amazing itinerary!

9. Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, India

Credit: nborun on Flickr Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India. Built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in the 16 th century, it was part of the World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri - the capital of the Mughal Empire for some 10 years. With its beautiful Iranian architecture, Jama Masjid also serves as one of the most visited tourist destinations in Agra. The construction of the mosque marks a transition of Islamic art in India where the blend of Persian and native elements are very much evident.

10. Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

One of the more recognisable mosques in the world, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (or the Blue Mosque) features an exterior with a cascade of domes and six minarets. The blue Iznik tiles which make up the interior gives this mosque its more fashionable and common name - the Blue Mosque. It's the only mosque in Turkey detailing six minarets and its courtyard is the largest among all Ottoman mosques. Tourists and locals alike normally gather at the park facing the mosque during the Maghrib call of prayer as the athan, combined with the floodlights illuminating the mosque, makes a truly beautiful and hair-raising experience. P.S. Wondering what to see and do in Istanbul? We've got you covered with our guide!

11. Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, Colombo, Sri Lanka

With the blue mosque in Istanbul, there's also a red mosque in Colombo. In one of the busier commercial districts of Colombo - Pettah, stands this striking and unique structure. Each brick used in the construction of this outstanding piece of architecture is painted red or white and used in contrasting designs - hence, it's commonly known as the Red Mosque. Its Indo-Saracenic architecture, featuring pomegranate-shaped domes gives this mosque its own character, Some also claim that this building was used as the landmark of Colombo by sailors approaching the port in the past ?

12. Crystal Mosque, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Credit: Pesan Bonda on Facebook Within the grounds of the Islamic Heritage Park in Kuala Terengganu, the Crystal Mosque was built on a man-made island. It was officially opened in February 2008 and is the country's first 'intelligent' mosque with built-in IT infrastructure and WiFi connection providing visitors with internet access to read the Quran digitally. Its stunning architecture is made of steel and glass giving the mosque its crystal-like appearance. With the display of lights at night, the mosque truly deserves its reputation of one of the most beautiful mosques having its domes and minarets change colours to pink yellow, green and blue ? P.S. These other mosques in Malaysia are worth your visit too!

13. Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Built in the 15 th century, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque was one of the largest and gorgeous mosques in the world. In 1897, an earthquake brought down parts of the mosque but slowly and surely, major parts of the mosque have been restored. According to some legends, the mosque was built by Bibi-Khanym, Tamerlane's favourite wife in order to honour his return from India with the aim of it being the most grandiose creation and structure on Samarkand. It features three domed rooms, covered galleries, 8 minarets (4 restored and 4 yet to be completed), and also an open courtyard with a stone pedestal - a huge Quran stand. P.S. Bibi-Khanym Mosque is just one of many outstanding places in Uzbekistan - we've compiled 10 reasons why this stunning country is worth a visit.

14. Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Credit: Johanes on Flickr Displaying unique black domes, made of hardwood shingles combined as tiles, this mosque is one of the better-known mosques in Indonesia due to its significance during the 2004 tsunami. Many cited divine intervention as the reason this 130-year-old mosque somehow survived and withstood the disaster when neighbouring structures around the mosque were flattened by the unstoppable swell. Numerous locals took refuge here while the tsunami ravaged the landscape of Banda Aceh. Images of the incident still mesmerise many even to this day. With its design based on the Mughal revival style, today it features 7 domes, 8 minarets and 32 pillars.

15. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman

This mosque was a gift from Sultan Qaboos to his nation to mark the 30 th year of his reign. The main prayer hall features the world's second-largest hand-loomed Persian carpet measuring 70m x 60m which took 600 women 4 years to weave. It serves as the main mosque in Oman and is the only one open to non-Muslims. Besides the prayer halls, the mosque also features surrounding courtyards and 5 minarets that represent the Five Pillars of Islam ❤️

16. Mashkhur Jusup Central Mosque, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan

Adorned with an 8-axis star, a dome and 4 minarets, this mosque can be found right in the city centre. Being true to its function as a proper mosque, it also features a school, wedding hall, library, cinema, dining room and also an Islamic culture museum among others. Built primarily form monolithic iron concrete, bricks, metal, marble and aluminium, its architecture became an inspiration and has influenced many urban designs in the country. Certainly, its centrepiece is unique and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

17. Great Mosque of Xi'an, Xi'an, China

One of the oldest and largest mosques in China, the Xi An mosque was built in 700s AD, during the Ming Dynasty. The tradition says that the Xi An mosque, also known as the Great Mosque, was founded by the son of a prestigious Muslim family who became famous for expelling pirates from the China Sea. P.S. There's so much more to see in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter other than the mosque - check out our guide here. Tourists from all over the world travel to see the mosque for its unique design of mixed architecture, which is traditional Muslim meets Chinese style! ?#HHWT Tip: If you're visiting Xi'an, be sure to refer to our 5D4N Muslim-friendly itinerary!

18. Seoul Central Mosque, Seoul, South Korea

The Seoul Central Mosque is Seoul's only mosque and the first one ever built in Korea. Located on top of a hill above the busy neighbourhood of Itaewon, it was completed in 1976 with the help of funds from various Muslim countries and the Korean government. What's interesting is that lectures conducted at this mosque can be heard in 3 languages - Korean, English and Arabic! There's a sign above the entrance of the mosque written in Arabic that reads Allahuakbar meaning "God is great"? With tons of halal eateries in the vicinity of the mosque, there is no question as to why Seoul is one of the favourite cities most Muslim travellers love to visit!#HHWT Tip: Explore Seoul with our 5D4N Muslim-friendly itinerary!

19. Tokyo Camii, Japan

Credit: Tokyo Camii on Facebook Located in the Oyama-cho district of Shibuya in Tokyo, Tokyo Camii is the largest mosque in Japan. Once you've arrived at this mosque, the first thing that will catch your eye is the beautifully designed doors, which features geometrical designs that are similar to Islamic architecture! ? In the prayer hall, blue carpet covers the floor while rays of sunlight sparkle through the blue stained glass surrounding the hall. The building materials and furnishings that are used in the mosque were brought from Turkey, which explains why the mosque has a Turkish feel to it. P.S. Find out more prayer spaces in Tokyo near attractions with our guide right here. If you're wondering why this mosque is called Tokyo Camii, it's because the word camii is a Turkish word derived from the Arabic word jami, which means congregational mosque.#HHWT Tip: Visiting Tokyo Camii? Don't miss out on a visit to the halal mart here so you can stock up on halal snacks! P.S. Exploring Tokyo? Don't miss out on its amazing halal Japanese cuisine using our halal food guide!

20. Badshahi Mosque, Pakistan

Credit: Umair Khan on Flickr Built in 1673, the Badshahi Mosque which is also known as the Emperor's Mosque is one of the city's best-known landmarks! The exterior of this mosque is decorated with stone carving and marble inlay on red sandstone and has a similar design to the Jama Masjid in Delhi India. The interior of the prayer chamber is decorated with white marble carved with floral designs that are common to Mughal art ?

21. Education City Mosque, Doha

With its futuristic design, there is no question as to why the Education City Mosque is absolutely unique from any other mosque in the world! The structure of the mosque rests on 5 large columns which represent the five pillars of Islam, with each column featuring a verse from the Quran ❤️ The mosque has a capacity of 1,800 worshippers in its main prayer hall and exterior courtyards with the exterior covered with embossed verses from the Qur'an and hundreds of small round windows perforate the fluid, white, cavernous structure.

22. Cologne Central Mosque, Cologne, Germany

The largest mosque in Germany, the Cologne Central Mosque's architecture was inspired by a flower bud and its glass walls symbolise openness to people of different faiths. The spacious, open concept of this mosque combines oriental elements with contemporary Islam! The Arabic inscriptions you see on the ceiling are the names of prophets who are all instrumental in Jewish, Islamic and Christian history. The prayer hall can accommodate 1200 worshippers and besides being a prayer space, the mosque also has shops and sports facilities to bring people of different faiths together. The openness of the mosque and its cross-cultural elements will always be a good reminder for bridging the gaps between different cultures!

23. Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz, Iran

Built in the 19th century, this fairly new mosque intertwines both classic and modern elements of Islamic art. Also known as the Pink Mosque, the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque comes alive with a kaleidoscope of colours when the sun rises. As you explore the exteriors, you'll find yourself marvelling at the intricate details and vibrancy of its design - truly a spectacle like no other! But be prepared to have your senses heightened as you enter the mosque for worship! Designed with stained glass, the sunlight creates a breathtaking splash of colours across the mosque's interiors ?

24. Qolsharif Mosque, Kazan, Russia

Once reputed to be the largest mosque in Europe (outside Istanbul), the Qolsharif Mosque was built in the early 16th-century during the rule of the Muslim khanate in Kazan. Looking at the architecture of this stunning mosque, you can't help but feel as though you've stepped into a Disney or fairytale castle ? Although the mosque was destroyed when the Tsars invaded Kazan in the 16th century, the mosque was rebuilt with the help of Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE after the fall of Soviet Union. It's impressive how it has managed to regain its reputation after so long!

25. Masjid Putra, Putrajaya, Malaysia

Colloquially known as the "pink mosque" due to its rose-shaded granite, Masjid Putra was built together with the Putrajaya township back in 1997. The construction was completed two years later and located next to the official residence of the Malaysian Prime Minister ? Perched along the banks of the Putrajaya Lake, the still waters provide an amazing reflection of the mosque. This mosque is perfect to immerse yourself in peace and tranquillity ? That concludes our list of some of the stunning mosques in the world. We hope you're now more inspired to visit these mosques. Know of any other breathtaking mosques around the world that we may have missed out? Share with us in the comments below!

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25 Stunning Mosques Around The World That'll Take Your Breath Away

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Updated 6 April 2020 Mosques or Masjids have been the centre of civilisations throughout the history of Islam. They were regarded as the heartbeat of the town where most activities happened during the glorious era of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

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> The word Islam translates as "submission" or "surrender." Surrender to the will of Allah

> Allah - Arabic for God.

> Islam is partially based on the Judeo-Christian religions. It has a monotheistic (belief in one God) message and follows some of the same principles as Christianity and Judaism.

> Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, following Christianity.

> The followers of Islam, Muslims, believe in one God, Allah, and believe Muhammad was his prophet. They also believe Adam, of the Bible's Old Testament, was the first prophet.

> Other prophets include Abraham, Moses, Noah, David, and Jesus.

> The Kaaba is the shrine located in Mecca, which is visited during the pilgrimage (or Hajj). It is the holiest place for Muslims.

> Two other main holy places are the Prophet Muhammad's mosque in the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia, and the "Al-Aqsa" mosque in Jerusalem.

> The Quran (sometimes spelled Qur’an or Koran) is considered the most important holy book among Muslims.

> There are 114 chapters in the Quran.

> Muslims believe the Quran is the divine words or revelations

> They believe that the Angel Gabriel delivered the ideas in the Quran to Muhammad

> The Hadith is a collection of the traditions and sayings of Muhammad, also used to frame the Muslim way of life and beliefs.

> According to Islamic traditions, Jihad is the struggle exerted while following God's commands at both a personal level as well as at a community level.

> The Hijra Calendar is a lunar calendar used in Islamic religious worship. It began in the year 622 A.D which was the journey of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.

> There are different symbols associated with Islam depending on how other countries may have defined it.

- We are much aware of the crescent moon and star but others believed the symbol pre-dated Islam and was used by the Ottoman Empire
- A red crescent means followers of Islam are respected and treated accordingly. This is due to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian aid movement.
- The color green is sometimes associated with Islam as well because it was Muhammad's favorite color.

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This is  commonly known as the Red Mosque. Each brick is painted white and red making it iconic. 

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Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, Colombo, Sri Lanka

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Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, Colombo, Sri Lanka

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570 AD - Muhammad is born in Mecca, Arabia (now Saudi Arabia).

610 AD - The Angel Gabriel visits Muhammad and tells him "you are the messenger of God."

610-632 AD - Muhammad spreads the teachings revealed to him in Mecca and Medina, over a 22-year period, until his death.

632 AD - Muhammad dies.

645 AD - Muslims become divided into two branches, the Shiite and the Sunni, over a disagreement about future leadership.

650-652 AD - The sayings/teachings revealed to Muhammad are collected in a book called the Quran.

657 AD - The Shiite Muslims are divided further when a portion of its followers break away and starts a third division, the Kharijites.

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Ramadan. This Holy Festival takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting and daily repentance.

Lailat ul-Qadr – The final 10 days of Ramadan. Muslims celebrate Muhammad’s first revelation.

Id al-Fitr – The feast period just after the month long fast of Ramadan. It lasts for three days.

Id ul-Adha. Two to three months after Ramadan, animals are slaughtered to benefit the poor. The purpose of the the Id ul-Adha is to celebrate the faithfulness and obedience of Abraham.

Al-Isra Wal Miraj. Celebrated on the 27th Day of the 7th month in the Islamic Calendar. It marks Muhammad’s journey from Mecca.

Maulid al-Nabi. Celebrates the birth of Muhammad.

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Like any other religion, there are issues inside of it. Although, it also reflects to issues outside of it as well.

After discussing some problematic parts of the religion, people outside of it becomes part of the problem as well.

The biggest example is Islamaphobia. There are problems and issues, but to be Islamaphobic is not any better. Other people experience a lot of discrimination based on their faith alone.

Different beliefs and opinions but we all thrive for a few things. Peace, Love, Unity, Change, Progress, Betterment, Taking Care of the Planet, and etc.

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10 Majestic Mosques in the Philippines You Should Know About

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Wishing all our Muslim readers a joyful Eid Al-Adha Mubarak!

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2 Major/Known:

Sunni - The largest branch of Islam. They accept that the first four caliphs (leaders) are the legitimate successors to Muhammad.

Shiite - Or Shia, the second-largest branch of Islam, believes only the caliph Ali and his descendants are the legitimate successors to Muhammad and reject the first three caliphs.

Other Denominations:

Kharijites: This sect broke from the Shiites after disagreeing over how to select a new leader. They are known for radical fundamentalism, and today are called Ibadis.

Wahhabi: This Sunni sect, made up of members of the Tameem tribe in Saudi Arabia, was founded in the 18th century. Followers observe an extremely strict interpretation of Islam that was taught by Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab.

Alawite: This Shiite form of Islam is prevalent in Syria. Followers hold similar beliefs about the caliph Ali but also observe some Christian and Zoroastrian holidays.

Nation of Islam: This mostly African-American, Sunni sect was founded in the 1930s in Detroit, Michigan.