Islam is an Arabic word meaning submission’. Muslims submit to Allah – God. The word of God was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (born in570AD) and written down in the sacred book the Koran (Qur’an). Islam is very simple religion with a five-fold path (see below) and consists of belief in the oneness of God. Mecca is the city where the prophet Muhammad died in 632ad and is a place of pilgrimage for all Muslims. The religion of Islam has neither a clergy nor a liturgy and early Islam did not require a holy place in which to worship. Wherever a Muslim is found there is ‘masjid’ (literally a place where one can prostrate to worship God), from which we get the Westernized word ‘mosque’. The mosque is the place where prayers are led by an imam. It also has an educational role, and teachings there range from advanced theology to the teaching of children.

Profession of the faith; There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is Allah’s messenger

Prayer; the act of worship is performed five times a day

Alms giving; an offering known as a ‘zakat’, or poor tax is given annually by all pious Muslims.

Fasting; Muslims fast from before sunrise until sunset every day for month a year. This period is known as Ramadan. People do not eat, drink or smoke during the daylight hours at that time, although the elderly, the sick, children, and travelers are exempt.

Pilgrimage to Mecca (the haij); Should be undertaken at least once in lifetime by those who can afford it. Pilgrims walk seven times around a building called the Kaaba. There are great ceremonies and feasts and animals – goats, sheep or camels – sacrificed.

Islamic law is called the Sharia, in which religious rules, duties and punishments are specified.