Islam

Islam means “peace” or “submission” and a Muslim is “one who submits to God”. Muslims believe that by submitting to the will of God they can find peace within themselves and between all people. Muslims believe in one God, Allah in Arabic, who is known by titles such as the Creator, the Merciful or the Compassionate. At different times God has sent prophets to give his message to humanity. The final, complete message was given by the Prophet Muhammad, who lived in Arabia in the sixth century CE. Muslims believe that their holy book, the Qur’an, was written by God before time began and dictated to the Prophet Muhammad by the angel Jibra’il, a messenger from God.

Muslims say that Islam guides a person’s life just as the moon and stars guide a traveller in the desert. This symbol on a country’s flag often includes a Muslin state.

Worldwide Numbers:  There are over a billion Muslims worldwide, principally in the Middle East, North and West Africa, southeastern Europe and South East Asia. In nineteen countries of the Middle East and North Africa more than 90% of the population is Muslim.

Holy Places:  All Muslims try at least once in their lives to make the pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia, site of the House of God on earth and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.

Holy Writings:  The revelations written in the Qur’an are central to Muslim lift, whether used as a system of law or a guide for everyday life. The Qur’an is written in Arabic and although Muslims speak many native languages, it is always recited in Arabic.