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6B Interviews Zain about his Beliefs and Islam

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6B Interviews Zain about his Beliefs and Islam

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Edited 6B Interview with Zain about Beliefs and Islam.mp4

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6A Interviews Zain about his Beliefs and Islam

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6A Interviews Zain about his Beliefs and Islam

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6A Interviews Bey about his Beliefs and Islam

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6A Interviews Bey about his Beliefs and Islam

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6B Interviews Bey about his Beliefs and Islam

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6B Interviews Bey about his Beliefs and Islam

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What is Ramadan? The Islamic Holy Month - Behind the News

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EID MUBARAK | Truth and Reason of Eid al-Fitr

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What does Islam teach about life after death?

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What does Islam teach about life after death?

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What Does Islam Teach about Life after Death?

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Life after death - Key beliefs in Islam - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

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Learn about and revise key Islamic beliefs with BBC Bitesize GCSE Religious Studies - AQA.

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Why do Muslims believe in the afterlife?_BBC

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Why do Muslims believe in the afterlife?_BBC

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Islam teaches that there is life after death, and this is known as . In Islam, it is who decides when a person dies and most Muslims believe that when they die, they will stay in their graves until , the . On that day, they will be raised from their graves and brought before Allah and judged on how they lived their earthly lives. This belief is known as the resurrection of the body.

Those who have performed more good deeds than bad will enter , or . Jannah is a place described as a 'garden of everlasting bliss' and a 'home of peace'. In Jannah there will be no sickness, pain or sadness.

Those who have performed more bad deeds than good will enter or Hell. This is a place of physical and spiritual suffering.

Muslims believe that Allah is forgiving, merciful and compassionate, so not all bad actions will be punished. Allah will forgive those who have repented for their sins and those who have done some good in their lives, for example showing kindness to others.

There are, however, some sins that many Muslims believe to be unforgivable. These include the sin of .

Why do Muslims believe in life after death?

Muslims believe that Allah is in charge of their lives and decides how long they will live. The Qur'an says:

Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave. The term being fixed as by writing.

People's deeds will be taken into account on the Day of Judgement. The Qur'an states that the good will receive reward, while the bad will receive punishment:

Of the good that they do nothing will be rejected of them; for Allah knoweth well those that do right. Those who reject faith - neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah: they will be companions of the fire, dwelling therein forever. Qur'an 3:115-3:116

Belief in life after death is central to the meaning and purpose of most Muslims' lives. Many Muslims believe that they are on this earth for a relatively short time and during this time they are preparing themselves for life after death. They view this life as a test and try to do as many good deeds as they can. In order to get to Jannah, they must also fulfil their Islamic obligations.

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What does Islam teach about life after death? - Life after death - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - BBC Bitesize

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Islam teaches that there is life after death, and this is known as . In Islam, it is who decides when a person dies and most Muslims believe that when they die, they will stay in their graves until , the .

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Muslim Rituals for the Dying: Preparing for the Afterlife

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Muslim Rituals for the Dying: Preparing for the Afterlife

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T Basic Elements of Islam his is part of our Diverse Expression of Grief series, written by Hilary Dockray. This article is intended as an educational piece to share other cultures' beliefs around death, grief, and the afterlife. By examining other cultures throughout our history, we can see how our current-day thoughts surrounding death and grief may have been shaped and gain insight into our current understanding of these matters.
Islam, like Christianity and Judaism, is a monotheistic religion that traces its origins back to Abraham. It considers Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and certain other figures also notable in Christianity and Judaism to be prophets of God, but holds Muhammad as the last and most significant prophet of God.

Born in about 570 CE, Muhammad did not begin developing what would become Islam until 610. He soon began to preach to the public and gain followers, who recorded the verses he received from God until his death in 632. These verses recorded over the last 22 years of his life comprise the Quran, Islam's primary religious text. Additionally, many stories that also appear in Christian and Jewish religious texts, such as the Bible and the Torah, also appear in the Quran in similar forms.

Included in the Quran and the foundation for Islamic life are the Five Pillars of Islam, which consist of five basic acts that are obligatory for followers. These five acts include pronouncing the Islamic creed that there is only one God and that Muhammad is the messenger of God (Shahada), daily prayers performed five times a day (Salah), the giving of alms (Zakat), fasting during the month of Ramadan (Sawm), and making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in one's lifetime if one is physically able to (Hajj).

Another significant religious text of Islam is the Hadith, which is sometimes also referred to as Sunnah. While the two concepts are closely intertwined, they can be understood as follows: Sunnah denotes the Islamic practice that Muhammad lived by and taught to others, and the Hadith is comprised of sayings from Muhammad that support the practice of Sunnah. The Hadith both adds to the Quran as well as clarifies teachings within the Quran.
Islamic Rituals for the Dying and Deceased
Today, Islam is the world's second largest religion, with nearly 1 in 4 people in the world identifying as Muslim. Approximately 25% of people who are Muslim reside in South Asia, 20% in Southwest Asia, 15% in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 13% in Indonesia. Significant minorities of people who are Muslim can also be found in Russia, China, and the Americas. The two most practiced denominations of Islam are Sunni (75-90%) and Shi'a (10-20%).

Most followers of Islam practice special rituals for preparing the dying and the deceased. The Talqeen is performed for those who are dying to ensure they are spiritually ready for the journey into death. The person leading the Talqeen says to the dying person:

In the name of Allah and on the creed, religion and faith of Rasulullah (apostle or messenger of God). O! Allah, ease upon him his matters, and make light for him whatever comes hereafter, and honor him with Your meeting and make that which he has gone to better than that which he came out from.

After those who are present have the opportunity to share their own prayers, the person leading the Talqeen then encourages the dying person to recall the Shahada before taking their last breath: I bear witness that (there is) no god except Allah; One is He, no partner hath He, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger.

Once the person has passed away, the next step is to perform the ghusl, or the washing of the deceased's person body. The ghusl can can be done by most adult family members of the same sex as the deceased. After the body is washed, it is then enshrouded, typically in plain, white cloth.

The funeral that follows the washing and shrouding is guided by the Salat al-Janazah, the Islamic funeral ceremony and prayer set. In addition to family and close friends, adults from the local Muslim community who are able to attend should be present, as it is considered an obligatory duty to do so. The deceased's body is lain out in front of the Imam leading the ceremony, and those present for the funeral line up in an odd number of rows before the deceased's body. The Imam then guides a set of prayers that are as follows:

Allahu Akbar prayer, said by Imam and then echoed by those present: Sanaa prayer, recited only by the Imam: Allahu Akbar prayer, repeated: God is Greater Allahu Akbar prayer, repeated: Dua prayer for an adult (varies for age and sex), recited only by the Imam: Allahu Akbar prayer, repeated: Salaam prayer, recited by everyone present: May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you. God is Greater Allah, grant forgiveness to our living and to our dead, and to those who are present and to those who are absent, and to our young and our old folk, and to our males and females. O Allah! Whomsoever you grant to live, from among us, help him to live in Islam, and whom of us you cause to die, help him to die in faith. Grant especially this dead person your ease, rest, forgiveness and consent Allah, if he acted well, then increase for him his good action, and if he acted wrongly, then overlook his wrong actions. Grant him security, glad tidings, generosity and closeness to you. We seek Thy blessings, Thou art the most Merciful. God is Greater In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Praise be to God, the Lord of the Universe, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Judgment! You alone we worship, and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom You have favored, not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor those who have gone astray. God is Greater
Durood prayer, recited only by the Imam: Allah, we ask You to raise the rank of Muhammad, and have mercy upon the Al (family, friends, and everyone else present for the funeral) of Muhammad, as You raised the rank of Ibrahim (Abraham), and the Al of Ibrahim. Verily, You are the One Who deserves to be praised and thanked, and the One Who is glorified. O Allah, we ask You to bless Muhammad, and the Al of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim, and the Al of Ibrahim. Verily, You are the One Who deserves to be praised and thanked, and the One Who is glorified.

After the Salat al-Janazah prayer set is completed, those present may line up and observe the deceased person for a final time before moving to the burial ground. The deceased is laid on their right side by male family members in a dug grave, preferably facing towards Mecca. As the dirt is beginning to be thrown into the grave by hand or by a shovel, the person doing so should say:
Reflections
Out of it We (Allah) created you, And into it We deposit you, And from it We shall take you out once again.

I came away from studying these rituals deeply appreciating the care and respect that the dying and deceased are given as they transition from life into death. The Talqeen is done to ensure the dying person is spiritually ready for their journey into death; the family gently cares for the person's body once they have died; an Imam and members of the community gather together to pray for the deceased; and then the family lowers the deceased into the ground, with a few last words that again connect the person's life and death to their spirituality.
About the Author: Hilary Dockray came to know The Christi Center through her full-time field internship as a graduate student from The University of Texas at Austin's School of Social Work. Her favorite hobby is writing, so she is delighted to continue to advocate for the understanding of grief and those who grieve as a guest blogger for The Christi Center. Here are just some of the links I used to research for this entry in the Diverse Expressions of Grief series, and where you can also learn more about Islam and its rituals and prayers for the dying and the deceased:
Caring for a person through their journey into death is not unique to Islam, however; many cultures, faiths, and groups around the world carry out memorial and funeral rituals that often bear many resemblances to those of Islam. It is very likely that throughout your life you have participated in one or more memorial or funeral services to honor someone who has died. The fact that performing memorial and funeral rituals seems to be an apparent human need does not make these rituals any less profound, however. They are often deeply personal, spiritual, or both, and can be some of the most beautiful goodbyes we give in our lives.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran
Background on Islam:
http://www.srvic.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/GhusulDuaas.pdf
The Talqeen:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2534816/The-Janazah-Funeral-Prayer-Burial-In-Islam http://www.janazahservices.com/salataljanazah.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_funeral
Salat al-Janazah and the Islamic Funeral:

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Islamic Rituals for the Dying and Deceased

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T Basic Elements of Islam his is part of our Diverse Expression of Grief series, written by Hilary Dockray. This article is intended as an educational piece to share other cultures' beliefs around death, grief, and the afterlife.

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Why Muslims Fast during Ramadan & What it represents

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Why Muslims Fast during Ramadan & What it represents

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Ramadan 2021 is now well underway, having begun in the evening of Tuesday, April 13 and lasting until Wednesday May 12.

The month-long festival falls in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is marked by Muslims worldwide by fasting during the day.

It is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and commemorates Muhammad's first revelation.

But just why do Muslims fast throughout the month - and what does it represent? Here's what you need to know...

Why do Muslims fast for Ramadan? What does it represent?

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and self-improvement for Muslims - who will refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours in order to focus more on their faith and avoid being distracted by worldly activities.

As well as food and drink (not even water is allowed), Muslims will also refrain from a number of other activities such as smoking, chewing gum and sexual activity.

The fast is also meant to remind Muslims of their dependence on Allah for sustenance, as well as to give them compassion and empathy for those who are less fortunate than them.

It is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam, along with Profession of Faith, Prayer, giving to charity and making a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Muslims who are able to fast start their day during Ramadan with a pre-dawn meal known as Suhur, and break their fast at sunset with a meal known as Iftar.

Who is exempt from fasting?

Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or bleeding after childbirth, or who are menstruating, are exempt from fasting - although they should make up the days they missed later on.w

Those who are ill or travelling are also exempt - if they are unable to make up the days (due to permanent sickness, for example) they can pay fidyah, which is similar to kaffarah in that it helps pay for food for the needy, but also can be done on a daily basis rather than a full 60 days.

Children under a certain age do not have to fast either - although no set age is given for when they should begin fasting, they are normally expected to do so around the time they reach puberty.

MORE : Can you get the Covid vaccine during Ramadan?

MORE : Chef Asma Khan's top tips to stay fuller for longer during Ramadan
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Share your views in the comments below.

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Why do Muslims fast for Ramadan and what does it represent?

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Ramadan 2021 is now well underway, having begun in the evening of Tuesday, April 13 and lasting until Wednesday May 12. The month-long festival falls in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is marked by Muslims worldwide by fasting during the day.

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Muslim Students struggle to Pray in School & Seek Accommodations

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Muslim Students struggle to Pray in School & Seek Accommodations

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Ten-year-old Eman trembled as she raised her hand. She had a pit in her stomach, the same pit she got every day after lunch when she had to ask her teacher if she could be excused to say her afternoon prayers. Her public grade school in Columbia, Mo., did not have an official policy on religious accommodations. Sometimes her teacher let her leave, and other times she made her stay in class.

The little girl's afternoon prayers depended on the whim of an adult who didn't fully understand her religion.

Eman, now a 22-year-old sociology major at the University of Michigan, is an observant Muslim. She worships on Friday. She doesn't eat pork. She wears a veil and participates in five daily prayers prescribed by the Quran. Although it has become easier to practice her faith since she graduated from elementary school, the demands of her faith are not well-understood in American society.

There are more than 2.75 million Muslims in America, and the number is growing rapidly, according to recent Census data. One result of the growth is that public school districts around the country must grapple with questions of how to accommodate Muslim students. Issues include whether to provide places for prayer, halal food in cafeterias and scheduling around important Muslim holidays.

Although most Americans defend religious freedom as a foundational principle, many admit to being uncomfortable with Islam, according to a 2010 report by the Pew Research Center. Fully 38 percent of those surveyed said they had an unfavorable opinion of Islam. This discomfort with Islam may cause some Americans to hesitate on how much accommodation they think the state should afford to orthodox faith communities.

But that isn't the only holdup on religious accommodations. Some also say providing Muslim students with prayer rooms and special food constitutes an organized attempt to push Islamic law in public settings. In fact, some of the most outspoken critics of accommodation for Muslim students are Christian groups. "What (school officials) are doing ... is to give Muslim students religious benefits that they do not give any other religion right now," Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel at the Thomas More Law Center, a Christian advocacy group, told USA Today.

But protecting the freedom of religious people to worship can't be applied selectively, argued Luke Goodrich, deputy general counsel for the Washington, D.C.-based Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

"Christians who oppose accommodations for Muslim students need to recognize that the rationale they use to oppose accommodations for Muslims students may come back to bite them," he said. The arguments used to limit the religious expression of Muslim students may ultimately be used by those who want to limit the freedoms of Christians to express their faith in public settings, he said.

Muslim beliefs

Lack of understanding and apprehension about the Islamic faith "makes (educators) ill-prepared to effectively work with the differences Muslim students bring to the classroom," said Katerine Bruna, professor of multicultural education at Iowa State University.

Indeed, more than half of Americans told the Pew Research Center they did not know very much about Islam. It is unclear the extent to which the educators who consider religious accommodations are informed about the ways Islamic practices differ from those of Christians. Issues related to prayer and dress are particularly delicate for Muslims in public school settings.

For example, one of the five pillars of Islamic faith is Salat, which consists of five essential prayers said in set positions at certain times during the day. Each takes about five minutes to complete.

"These prayers provide opportunities throughout the day to reorient ourselves toward God," said Asha Patel, a lawyer and observant Muslim woman living in Salt Lake City.

Andaleeb Rahman is a student at the University of Virginia studying biochemistry and psychology. An observant Muslim, he attended public primary and secondary schools. "I was the only Muslim at my (elementary) school," he said.

His parents worried that asking the school for a special accommodation for their son to pray would be disruptive and put an extra burden on his teachers. "We decided as a family that I would not pray when I was at school," he said. "After school I would rush home and try to say make-up prayers."

Rahman is not resentful that he wasn't able to pray when he was in public school, but he hopes his own children don't have to make the same choice he did. Asha Patel agrees. "I want my child to have a strong sense of their Islamic identity," and prayer is part of that, she said.

Prayer is not the only potential conflict for Muslim students. Some women wear veils, a practice derived from teachings of the Prophet Mohammad about modesty.

Although Muslim scholars debate whether this instruction applies to all Muslim women, many believers consider it a symbol of devotion. "The veil is my sacred garment," said Asha Patel. "Some religious people wear their (sacred clothing) on the inside, I wear mine on the outside," she said.

The religious significance of Kirin Nabis veil was not clear to teachers and administrators at Murray High School. Nabi, an observant Muslim who grew up in Murray had to explain to administrators how her veil jived with their no hats policy. I just had to reassure them that this was my right and it wouldn't be on one day and off the next, as a hat would, she said.

Eventually the school relented, allowing her to wear her headscarf to school, but the experience was difficult for the young Nabi. "School can be a hostile environment," she said. "I dealt with challenges that I don't want my kids to face." This one reason she sends her school-age daughter to a private Islamic school in West Valley City. "It is a safe place where she can develop a sense of her religious identity," said Nabi.

Religious diversity

The First Amendment's two religion clauses - the guarantee of free exercise of religion and the prohibition on government establishment of religion - have proved difficult for some school officials to reconcile.

While the government is required to educate students in a climate of religious neutrality, students have the right to freely exercise their own religion, said Charlie Russo, a professor of law at the University of Dayton in Ohio. But students' ability to perform religiously prescribed actions can be complicated by school policy and state laws.

Generally, schools are required to accommodate students' religious beliefs unless there is a compelling reason not to. This precedent was set, in part, by a decision handed down by the 5th Circuit Court. A 7-year-old Native American boy was disciplined for wearing his hair in two long braids to school. He argued the braids were part of his religious and cultural identity; the school argued the braids presented safety and hygiene hazards. The court found in favor of the boy, arguing that in this case, the school did not have a compelling reason to limit expression.

Sometimes schools have other compelling reasons to enforce dress codes, such as curbing gang activity.

But dress codes can be problematic if they limit students' First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and expression. In states where additional protections for religious expression are not expressly written into the law, students could be asked to remove sacred head coverings, meaning that Muslim women could be asked to take off their veils in school. Although this issue has not come before the court, as the number of Muslim immigrants to the United States increases, some observers believe it ultimately will. "If the school can show there is a legitimate risk, the courts will restrict students' expression of religious belief," said Goodrich.

Opposing accommodation

Some argue that accommodations for Muslim students in public school amount to preferential treatment by the state. "If you start carving out the time in the school day that you would not do but for the need to let students pray, then it begins to look like you are trying to assist religion," said David Blair-Loy, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union in San Deigo. Daniel Pipes, founder of the conservative Middle East Forum takes things a step further. "The goal of Islamists is the application of Islamic law," he said. Requests for accommodation are part of a movement to force the public to acquiesce to Islamic law, he argued.

Even some Muslims groups have concerns about the implications of accommodations. "Unusual accommodations for one faith at the cost of everybody else doesn't fall on the side of pluralism," said Zuhdi Jasser, chairman of Phoenix-based American Islamic Forum for Democracy, which promotes separation of mosque and state.

Paradoxically, some of the most vocal critics of accommodations for Muslims are Christians who, in other cases, might argue for religious accommodation. "Muslims and Islamic organizations in America take advantage of our ... system and are waging a 'Stealth Jihad' within our borders," according to the website of the Michigan-based Thomas More Law Center, a Christian advocacy group.

The camel's nose

Definitions of religious tolerance have evolved over time. As Justice John Paul Stevens argued in a 1985 opinion: "At one time it was thought that this right (to practice one's own creed) merely proscribed the preference of one Christian sect over another, but would not require equal respect for the conscience of the infidel, the atheist, or the adherent of a non-christian faith such as Mohammedanism or Judaism ... But when the underlying principle has been examined ... the court has unambiguously concluded that ... the First Amendment embraces the right to select any religious faith or none at all."

"Muslims are an easy target," said Shahid Malik, a member of Parliament in the United Kingdom. Differences in religious worship, dress and diet set them apart in obvious ways from mainstream society.

Goodrich worries that Christians students could be next. Shutting down accommodations for Muslim students is the proverbial "camel's nose under the tent," he said: where the nose goes, the body follows. "The justifications that are used to shut down accommodations for Muslims will be used to shut down accommodations for other groups," he said.

One place this plays out is in curriculum. When Kirin Nabi was a student, her Spanish teacher asked the students to sing Christmas carols as part of their final assignment. Kirin, an observant Muslim, took exception with the task, arguing it violated her religious values. "I am not against learning about Christmas," she said. "I just don't want to celebrate it."

"There are things I could do that would meet the educational objectives of the assignment without compromising my beliefs," she reasoned.

When considering the merits of a Muslim student's request for exemptions or accommodations for activities that violate their religious beliefs, said George W. Dent, a professor at Case Western Reserve University Law School, educators should consider an analogous situation involving Christian students. Conservative parents would be enraged if their child was forced to read Hustler magazine to complete the requirements of an English assignment, he argued.

"In cases involving offensive classroom material, children are expected to pay attention to and absorb teaching that offends their religious sensitivities," he said. The reality is that students who are forcefully exposed to concepts that are "hostile to their religious faith experience coercion to renounce their faith," said Dent in an article the University's law review.

Corrections made Feb. 27, 2012.

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Muslim students struggle to practice faith in U.S. schools, seek accommodation for religion

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Ten-year-old Eman trembled as she raised her hand. She had a pit in her stomach, the same pit she got every day after lunch when she had to ask her teacher if she could be excused to say her afternoon prayers. Her public grade school in Columbia, Mo., did not have an official policy on religious...

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Religious Practice of Muslim Students in School

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Religious Practice of Muslim Students in School

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Legal Protections of Religious Rights of Muslim Students

Religiously mandated practices for students are protected by the First Amendment, which upholds the right to freedom of religion. The First Amendment guarantees such religious rights as the right to wear religiously mandated clothing and observe religiously mandated dietary rules. It also guarantees the right of a student to engage in personal worship or prayer, so long as it is student initiated and does not disrupt classroom instruction. The Equal Access Act of 1984 further affirms the rights of students to initiate and participate in religious activities, such as religious clubs or even prayer services, as long as they are initiated and led by students. Students also have the right to inform others about their religion, subject to restrictions that the school may impose, the right to attend Friday prayers, and the right to be excused from school for religious holidays. To read more, go here.

Introduction

As our nation grows increasingly diverse, it is important to understand and to accommodate the religious practices of all our students to the best of a school's ability. The following are some common religious practices which may impact some Muslim students at school. While these are practices of a religiously observant Muslim student, it is important to remember that Muslims are not all the same and will manifest diversity of religious practice or lack of practice. So, it's best to ask the student about their needs, instead of assuming what their needs are.

Prayer

Islam prescribes five daily prayers throughout the day, a practice observed by many Muslims. The prayers take place during the following windows of time: dawn to sunrise; midday to late afternoon; late afternoon to before sunset; sunset to dusk; and after dusk. Before praying, Muslims are required to wash their hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, and feet, which they can do in a bathroom sink. During the prayer, Muslims quietly recite from the Quran and other prayers as they stand, bow, and prostrate themselves on a clean surface such as a prayer rug. The time required for washing and prayer is about ten to fifteen minutes.

The only prayer that may need to be performed during school hours is the noon prayer. The time period for the noon prayer varies throughout the year, but the time period generally begins between 12:15pm and 1:15pm and ends two to three hours later. It is mainly during the short winter months that the noon prayer falls during school hours.

For students who request a place to pray, an empty classroom or a room in the library are good options. Students may feel self-conscious praying in public, so privacy is optimal. While praying students are not supposed to respond to someone talking to them, so privacy is important for that reason also.

Friday Congregational Prayers

Additionally, some high school students may request to be excused for the weekly congregational prayer at a near-by mosque on Friday, from 12:15pm to 1:30pm. The right to perform the Friday prayer off school property is consistent with the First Amendment protection of religious freedom, including released time programs, unless there is a school board policy that prevents all students from leaving school for any reason.

Fasting

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Because it is a lunar month, it moves eleven days earlier each year on the solar/Gregorian calendar. Its beginning and end is determined by the sighting of the new moon. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from both food and drink from pre-dawn to sunset. Ramadan is also a time of increased devotion and moral conduct. While fasting is not required of young children, many Muslim children like to fast as a way of partaking in this special month and emulating their parents and older siblings. Muslim students continue to participate in school activities during Ramadan but will not eat during lunch time. Fasting students should be allowed to go to the library or computer lab at lunch. Students may also ask to be excused from strenuous activity, such as running, in P.E. Young students may also want to save a treat or snack from a party or birthday to take home and eat later. For more information on Ramadan, go here. For a digital presentation on Ramadan, go here. For a calendar of Muslim holidays and other important dates, go here.

Muslim Holidays

Twice a year, Muslims celebrate two major holidays. The first holiday, Eid ul-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," comes at the conclusion of Ramadan and celebrates the successful completion of the month of fasting. The second holiday, Eid ul-Adha, the "Festival of the Sacrifice," is celebrated at the time of the Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca by Muslims who did not go on the pilgrimage. Muslims celebrate Eid, meaning "festival," for a period of three to four days. The holidays are celebrated with new clothes and small gifts for children, congregational prayers, fair-like activities, visiting friends, and exchanging gifts. Both holidays also follow the lunar calendar, so the dates move eleven days earlier each year on the solar/Gregorian calendar and are determined by the sighting of the new moon. Adding the holidays to the school calendar and letting staff and teachers know about them are deeply appreciated. Muslim students generally take the first day off for each of these holidays. For more information on Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr, go here. For more information on hajj and Eid ul-Adha, go here. For a calendar of Muslim holidays and other important dates, go here.

Dietary Restrictions

Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol and pork or pork by-products. Pork by-products can include popular children's sweets such as marshmallows or gummy worms made from gelatin that is pork derived. Some students may be very particular about this while others are not. Some Muslim students also follow the injunction to eat only meat and poultry that has been slaughtered in a specific manner, known as zabiha or halal, (literally meaning permissible), which is similar to the regulations about kosher meat in Judaism. In situations where halal meat is not available, vegetarian dishes, dairy, and fish products are good alternatives.

Attire

Both males and females are encouraged to dress modestly. Some Muslim girls wear hijab, a term used to refer to the religious head scarf or to the entire outfit which includes covering everything except the hands and face. Girls generally begin wearing hijab around puberty, but may begin earlier. Not all Muslim women or girls wear hijab, and if they do it may be their own personal choice or their family's expectation of them. A girl who wears hijab may experience teasing, bullying, or ostracism from her peers, especially during a time when current events relate to Muslims. It is important that teachers and staff be aware of such problems and work to prevent them.

Social Interaction

Out of modesty, some observant Muslim students may avoid touching the opposite gender, dating, or attending events such as school dances or prom. While there is no prohibition against interacting in class, some Muslim students may feel uncomfortable partnering with the opposite gender for a class assignment. In this case, assign them same-gender partners.

Conclusion

Muslim Americans are a growing part of our country and our schools. A better understanding of our Muslim students and their families will both enrich our own lives and make theirs easier. In our increasingly diverse and multicultural society, education, understanding, and tolerance are the keys to a harmonious workplace and society.

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Religious Practices of Muslim Students in Public Schools - Islamic Networks Group (ING)

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Legal Protections of Religious Rights of Muslim Students Religiously mandated practices for students are protected by the First Amendment, which upholds the right to freedom of religion. The First Amendment guarantees such religious rights as the right to wear religiously mandated clothing and observe religiously mandated dietary rules.

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Muslim women experience thinly veiled discrimination

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A 35-year-old woman was standing outside a Valentino store in Manhattan on Sept. 10 when, as she later told police, she felt heat on her left side. Her blouse

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Akhirah - Muslim beliefs - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - Edexcel - BBC Bitesize

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Learn about and revise Muslim beliefs with BBC Bitesize GCSE Religious Studies - Edexcel.

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Do You Want Paradise? - Omar Suleiman - Quran Weekly

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is the second of the . It is the belief that Muslims should pray five times each day. Prayer is important as it allows Muslims to communicate with Allah, listen to Allah and follow in the footsteps of the prophets.

Prayer is performed five times each day because of what the Qur'an says about prayer: Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed. .

There are five key things that Muslims must do when they come into contact with Allah through salah. These are:

When a Muslim prays, the intention (niyyah) behind the prayer must be right, otherwise Allah will know and the prayer will be meaningless. Although Muslims are expected to pray five times each day, they are allowed to perform more prayers. For example, they might say extra prayers asking for forgiveness.

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Salah - Ways of Muslim living - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - Edexcel - BBC Bitesize

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is the second of the . It is the belief that Muslims should pray five times each day. Prayer is important as it allows Muslims to communicate with Allah, listen to Allah and follow in the footsteps of the prophets.

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What happens in Barzakh? (When souls wait to go to heaven?"

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What happens in Barzakh? (When souls wait to go to heaven?"

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The IMB’s mission is to serve Southern Baptists in carrying out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.

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The 5 Daily Prayer Times and Why We Observe Them

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The 5 Daily Prayer Times and Why We Observe Them

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Listen to Morgan Freeman ATTEMPT THE ADHAN in Cairo | HD

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What does my headscarf mean to you? Bias and the hijab

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What does my headscarf mean to you? Bias and the hijab

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What does my headscarf mean to you? | Yassmin Abdel-Magied

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Muhammad was born in Mecca. The Prophet Muhammad became the messenger of Allah after his first experience of revelation in the year 610. Muhammad had escaped to the mountains near Mecca during the month of Ramadan and was meditating in a cave when the Angel Jibril appeared to him. Muhammad was aged forty at the time and could not read, but three times Jibril ordered him to ' '. The angel said:

Proclaim! In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, who created - created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood. Proclaim! And thy Lord Is Most Bountiful! He who taught (the use of) the pen taught man that which he knew not.

Muslims believe Allah chose Muhammad to be his prophet because he was a fair and wise man and because he was concerned for the people.

Allah continued to reveal his word to the prophet for the next 23 years. The revealed teachings were written down by the Prophet Muhammad's close friends and followers. The popular view amongst Muslims is that the final words of Allah to Muhammad were: This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.

Importance

Muhammad is the last prophet sent by God and is referred to as the . This means the Qur'an is the final revelation sent by God.

Because the Prophet Muhammad is of such importance to them, Muslims try to live in the ways of the prophet, and the and are important sources of authority for Muslims to guide their lives.

Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad has been chosen by Allah to give a universal message to all humanity. The message is that Allah is one and he is the God of all. God is to be worshipped by all. God is the final judge.

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Teachings on Muhammad - Prophethood - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - WJEC - BBC Bitesize

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Muhammad was born in Mecca. The Prophet Muhammad became the messenger of Allah after his first experience of revelation in the year 610. Muhammad had escaped to the mountains near Mecca during the month of Ramadan and was meditating in a cave when the Angel Jibril appeared to him.