Islam

Islam is one of the three main monotheistic Abrahamic religions, along with Christianity and Judaism. It was spread by the Prophet Mohammed in the 7th century A.D. The Islamic holy book is the Quran, and according to Islamic tradition it entails the direct word of God as spoken to the Prophet. Islam is centered around five pillars which detail the five duties incumbent on every Muslim. The first is the Shahada, the Muslim profession of faith. The second is prayer: A practicing Muslim must pray towards Mecca five times a day. There is also Zakat, the alms-tax, according to which Muslims must share their wealth with those in need. Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is the fourth pillar, and Hajj, the mandatory pilgrimage each Muslim must make at least once in their life, is fifth. The Ka’bah sanctuary in the city of Mecca is the most holy Islamic site, and the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage. The second most holy site is the prophet Mohammed’s mosque in the city of Medina. Third in line is Jerusalem, where, according to Islamic tradition, Mohammed ascended to heaven. Adherents to the Shi’ite school of Islam also regard Karbala in Iraq and Meshed in Iran as holy sites. The two main Islamic schools are the Sunni and the Shi’a. The differences between the two originated with the Prophet’s death in 632 A.D, when disputes arose as to who would be Mohammed’s rightful heir. Some worshippers thought that only a direct descendant of Mohammed should lead the movement, while others thought that a leader should be chosen by consensus. Those who supported a direct descendant wanted Ali to become caliph, but they lost out. When Ali eventually became caliph years later, he was massacred along with many of his followers in 680 at Karbala. Those who supported him eventually became Shi’ites. Since then, the two doctrines have evolved. They now contain disagreements and differences while still maintaining agreement on many essentials of Islam. In addition to the Sunni and the Shi’a, there are also additional branches of Islam such as the Druze and Alawi. Though they identify as Muslims, other Islamists often do not consider them proper followers of the faith. Other religious groups like the Baha'i are split-offs from Shi’a Islam. Sufi Muslims, a spiritual sub-sect of Islam, can have either Sunni and Shi’a backgrounds. Islam is the fastest growing major religion in the world. Its devotees make up the majority of the population in over 50 countries and number over 1.8 million. Over 85% of these Muslims are Sunnis, who are spread throughout the Arab world, as well as Indonesia, Bangladesh, Turkey, Pakistan and more. Most Shi’ites are centered in Iran, Iraq and Bahrain. The majority of Muslims in and around Israel are Sunnis. Islam recognizes two holy days (Eids) each year, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca. The dates of the Eids differ according to the Gregorian calendar because the Islamic calendar, like the Jewish one, is based on the lunar year.
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Syria’s new leadership drafts constitutional declaration amid controversy

Leaks from Syria’s draft constitution reveal a requirement for the president to be Muslim, raising concerns over inclusivity.

By RIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
05/03/2025

A look in between sanctity and tension during Ramadan in Israel

Unfortunately, in recent years, the month of Ramadan in Israel has become a period marked by tension. Instead of preserving the values of compassion, extremist elements exploit the month.

By NAI’L ZU’ABI
04/03/2025

The fabrication by criminal terrorists to please Iran’s dictator.

The Iranian regime is on the verge of collapse; criminal mullahs attempt to distract the Iranian people from uniting behind the leadership of the Prince of Iran.

02/03/2025

Israel Police warns against fake news, incitement ahead of Ramadan in Jerusalem

Israel Police noted that terrorists exploit Ramadan to “incite and disseminate misleading narratives about events in Jerusalem, especially in the Old City and on the Temple Mount.”

Salman Rushdie's attacker found guilty of attempted murder

Rushdie, 77, was stabbed with a knife multiple times in the head, neck, torso and left hand, blinding his right eye and damaging his liver and intestines.

By REUTERS
21/02/2025

The world's first openly gay imam murdered in Cape Town

A pioneering gay imam was killed in a Cape Town ambush; police have yet to say if they will investigate his death as a hate crime.

Man attacked with knife after burning Quran near Turkish consulate in London

The assailant burning Islam’s holy book was seen wearing his hood up and a backpack while setting the large book on fire, before additional footage portrayed him getting kicked and spat on.

700-year-old Italian fresco reveals medieval church's use of Islamic tents

The fresco is thought to be the only surviving depiction of an Islamic tent in a medieval church.

US-born girl shot dead by father in Pakistan over TikTok videos, say police

The suspect, Anwar ul-Haq, initially said that unidentified gunmen shot and killed his American-born, 15-year-old daughter before he confessed to the crime

By REUTERS
29/01/2025

Fundamentalist Islam: A threat to the Western world

The world faces violence, antagonism, and a lack of civility from fundamentalist strains of Islam, but calling out fundamentalist Islamic violence isn’t calling Islam inherently violent.

By ALIZA PILICHOWSKI
26/01/2025
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