|
24. Islam1 The number of Muslims worldwide is estimated to be in excess of one billion, making Islam the largest faith community after Christianity. Of this number the overwhelming majority would identify themselves as Sunni2 Muslims whilst about 15 per cent follow a variety of Shiah3 Muslim persuasions. The Arabic word islam means the willing recognition of and active submission to the guiding command of the One God, Allah4. Whoever acts in this manner is called a muslim, one who acknowledges and submits to the sole , unique God. The Islamic tradition or din is founded upon the guiding command of Allah as contained in the Koran5 . Muslims hold the Koran to be the word of God delivered to Muhammad6, God s elected messenger. The revelations were received in just over a twenty-year period , first in Mecca7 , the Prophet s birthplace , and later in Medina8 where the first community was established. Both these cities are in present day Saudi Arabia and are regarded by all Muslims as the central holy places of their faith. A Muslim must make formal prayers each day at five appointed times: at daybreak, at noon, in midafternoon, at sunset and after nightfall. The mosque is the place of public worship in Islam. If a mosque is too far away, a Muslim may pray in his own home or elsewhere on a special prayer rug or mat. He takes formal postures for each statement in the prayer, until he achieves full prostration in the direction of Mecca. Mecca is the holy city and the center of worship for Muslims. It is not only because Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad, but also because there exist the Kaaba 9 the holiest shrine, and the Black Stone. It is believed that the Kaaba was built by Abraham and the Stone was brought out of Paradise by Adam. Every year numerous pilgrims go to Mecca to pay homage. Thus the word Mecca has come into English language, meaning place one aspires to visit | 
