Muslim Birth Rites The first words a baby hears are the call to prayer in Arabic, called the Adhaan. It is spoken in the right ear by the father or family elder. A small amount of honey, or something sweet, is rubbed around the baby’s gums. Muslims pray that the child may have a sweet, trouble-free life. ‘Aqiqah’ Seven days after the birth the baby’s hair is shaved off. It is then weighed and the amount is given in money to the poor. Next, the baby is given a name. This may include one of the ninety-nine names of God or the prophet’s name or name of someone in his family. "God is great, there is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Come to prayer." A child is considered a Muslim by birth. Families see children as a Gift from God and are honoured that He would give them a new life.

Christian Birth Rites A newborn child is a Gift from God. Christians celebrate birth by welcoming them into the Church. “Will you pray for them, draw them by your example into the community of faith, and walk with them in the way of Christ?” Most Churches baptise babies. Water is poured over the baby’s head three times – it is done three times in the name of God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. The water is from a ‘font’ and is considered holy. A baby cannot speak for itself so its parent decide to have a baptism as a promise to bring the child up as a Christian and welcome them into Christianity. The priest prays the child will be safe from evil and makes the cross sign on their head with oil. A lighted candle is given as a present by the Church to say “shine as a light in the world.”