Islam

Origin of Islam Meccans first ignored Muhammad Most of Muhammads prophecy came true People started to accept his belief Later, he stopped disputes between two main tribes from the city of Yathrib Accepted as prophet by leaders Within ten years after Muhammads death, Muslims had defeated many countries Islam originated from Prophet Muhammad Muhammad was born around the year 570 and was orphaned at an early age At age 40, during a retreat in the hills outside Mecca,the angel Gabriel appeared and informed him that he was God's chosen messenger. Started the new religion

Spread of Islam Therefore,Muslim spreads to Sassanids of Persia, Byzantines Persia,Iraq, Syria, and Egypt.(mostly middle- East and Eastern-Europe)

Symbol Of Islam The crescent moon and star is an internationally- recognized symbol of the faith of Islam featured on the flags of several Muslim countries symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods

Symbol of Islam (Continued…) The city of Byzantium adopted the crescent moon symbol chose it in honor of the goddess Diana the crescent moon was featured on the city's flag even before the birth of Christ early Muslim community did not really have a symbol During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, Islamic armies and caravans flew simple solid-colored flags for identification purposes In later generations, the Muslim leaders continued to use a simple black, white, or green flag with no markings, writing, or symbolism on it

Symbol of Islam (Continued…) Only until the Ottoman Empire that the crescent moon and star became affiliated with the Muslim world Turks adopted Constantinoples flag and symbol There is speculation that the five points on the star represent the five pillars of Islam, but this is not true The five points were not standard on the Ottoman flags, it is still not standard on flags used in the Muslim world today.

Allah (god) prescribed only two festivals for Muslims to celebrate, namely Hari Raya Puasa Hari Raya Haji Islamic Festivals

Hari Raya Puasa Significance Celebration on completion of the ritual of fasting. Remind a Muslim of self-control and submitting to the will of Allah A day of rejoicing and thanksgiving. Muslims rejoice because they have fulfilled Allahs command of discipline, piety and collective worship. Observances Muslims wear new clothes and go to the mosque to pray. After that, they visit their friends and relatives to exchange greetings and ask for forgiveness.

Hari Raya Haji Significance Reminder to Muslims how Allah provides and cares for those who do his will Reminder to Muslims to give up everything for Allah Observances Congregational prayers at the mosque. Those who can afford it will observe the duty of sacrifice in which sheep, lambs or cattle are slaughtered, facing the direction of the Kaabah, in Mecca. The meat is shared amongst family members, neighbours and the poor and needy.