Islamic Awareness Introduction to Islam and Muslims
Islam Means submission. Muslim is the one who submits himself to Allah [God] 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide 80% of Muslims are non-Arabs Indonesia is the largest Muslim country
Islam in the UK Approx 2.4 million Muslims [3%] Mainly from Asian sub-continent In 1891 there were 4037 Muslims settled in the UK The first UK Mosque established in 1860 in Cardiff Approx 3000 Mosques/Islamic centres today
Key Beliefs One God The Prophet Mohammed as the last messenger of God [Jesus, Moses Abraham etc are all Prophet’s of God] The Quran as the last of all revelations Previous revelations like the Gospels, Psalms and Torah all were revelations from God. Belief in Hereafter [Heaven and Hell]
The Five Pillars of Islam Shahadah: Declaration of Faith [Belief in one God and Mohammed as His Prophet] Salah- 5 daily acts of worship Zakah- Annual Charity Donation [2.5% of savings] Sawm- Fasting in the Month of Ramadhan Hajj- At least once in a lifetime pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca [Saudi Arabia]
1. Shahadah Declaration of Faith Not necessarily a special ceremony ‘I testify that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah, and Mohammed [peace be upon Him] is His Messenger’
2. Salah/Worship 5 times a day in congregation or single [Congregation is preferred] Each Prayer has a fixed time window Time variations depending on length of day [window is longer in summer than in winter] The call to Prayer [AZAN] is called prior to each Prayer Main Congregational worship is Friday [Jummah] Perform Ablution [Wudhu] prior to Prayers Direction towards the Kaba in Mecca [Saudi Arabia]
Ablution [Wudhu] Washing both hands and arms [upto the elbow] Washing the face. A miswak is used to clean the mouth Passing wet hands over the head/hair Washing both feet
Fajr Zohar Asar Maghrib Isha
Points Regarding Prayer When a Muslim is at Prayer he connects solely to Allah and will not respond to voices or calls from those around him When a Muslim is at Prayer he connects solely to Allah and will not respond to voices or calls from those around him Walking in front of a person who is praying should be avoided Walking in front of a person who is praying should be avoided A typical act of worship takes A typical act of worship takes mins mins.
3. Zakah [Charity] Each wealthy Muslim is required to pay 2.5% of his/her annual savings to the poor
4. Sawm – Fasting Muslims fast the whole month of Ramadhan Month is Lunar rather than solar [29 or 30 days] A fast consists of avoiding eating, drinking or sexual relations during light hours Those who are elderly, weak, ill, frail or undertaking a journey need not fast
5. Hajj – Pilgrimage Muslims should perform Hajj at least once in a lifetime The Hajj period is fixed [once a year] It is the largest annual human gathering [2-3 million people]
Hajj Route
The Quran Revealed to Prophet Mohammed Revealed and recited in Arabic Translated in many languages Respected by Muslims Placed on a high place [never on the floor] Should be touched with clean hands/clean gloves
The Prophet Mohammed [Peace be upon him] Born in Mecca [570] Received first revelation at age 40 The last and final Prophet of Allah Migrated to Medina [622] Died in and buried in Medina [632]
DIET- HALAL The term HALAL means lawful The term HARAM means unlawful Halal includes all fruit, veg, eggs, fish and certain animals when ritually slaughtered Haram includes pig/pork and by-products, alcohol, animals not ritually slaughtered, all meat eating animals etc. There should be no cross contamination between Halal and Haram Kosher meat is also Halal/permissible for Muslims to consume
Conditions for Halal Slaughter Slaughterer is Muslim Supplication offered [symbolising permission and authority] The animal is alive at the time of slaughter
Common Questions/Issues Dog Searches Cross gender searches Prayers in Workshops/Education Prayers during patrol state Terrorism/Extremism/Suicide Bombings Shariah Law