Islamic AwarenessIslamic Awareness

Introduction to Islam Introduction to Islam and Muslims and Muslims

Islam Means submission. Muslim is the one Islam Means submission. Muslim is the one who submits himself to Allah [God] who submits himself to Allah [God]

1.2 billion Muslims worldwide 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide 80% of Muslims are non-Arabs 80% of Muslims are non-Arabs Indonesia is the largest Muslim country Indonesia is the largest Muslim country

Islam in the UKIslam in the UK

Approx 2.4 million Muslims [3%] Approx 2.4 million Muslims [3%] Mainly from Asian sub-continent Mainly from Asian sub-continent In 1891 there were 4037 Muslims settled in In 1891 there were 4037 Muslims settled in

the UK the UK The first UK Mosque established in 1860 in The first UK Mosque established in 1860 in

Cardiff Cardiff Approx 3000 Mosques/Islamic centres todayApprox 3000 Mosques/Islamic centres today

Key BeliefsKey Beliefs

One GodOne God The Prophet Mohammed as the last The Prophet Mohammed as the last

messenger of God [Jesus, Moses Abraham messenger of God [Jesus, Moses Abraham etc are all Prophet’s of God]etc are all Prophet’s of God]

The Quran as the last of all revelations The Quran as the last of all revelations Previous revelations like the Gospels, Previous revelations like the Gospels,

Psalms and Torah all were revelations from Psalms and Torah all were revelations from God. God.

Belief in Hereafter [Heaven and Hell]Belief in Hereafter [Heaven and Hell]

The Five Pillars of IslamThe Five Pillars of Islam

Shahadah: Declaration of Faith [Belief in Shahadah: Declaration of Faith [Belief in one God and Mohammed as His Prophet] one God and Mohammed as His Prophet]

Salah- 5 daily acts of worship Salah- 5 daily acts of worship Zakah- Annual Charity Donation [2.5% of Zakah- Annual Charity Donation [2.5% of

savings] savings] Sawm- Fasting in the Month of RamadhanSawm- Fasting in the Month of Ramadhan Hajj- At least once in a lifetime pilgrimage Hajj- At least once in a lifetime pilgrimage

to the Holy City of Mecca [Saudi Arabia] to the Holy City of Mecca [Saudi Arabia]

1. Shahadah1. Shahadah

Declaration of Faith Declaration of Faith Not necessarily a special ceremonyNot necessarily a special ceremony ‘‘I testify that there is no one worthy of I testify that there is no one worthy of

worship but Allah, and Mohammed [peace worship but Allah, and Mohammed [peace be upon Him] is His Messenger’ be upon Him] is His Messenger’

2. Salah/Worship2. Salah/Worship

5 times a day in congregation or single 5 times a day in congregation or single [Congregation is preferred] [Congregation is preferred]

Each Prayer has a fixed time windowEach Prayer has a fixed time window Time variations depending on length of day Time variations depending on length of day

[window is longer in summer than in winter] [window is longer in summer than in winter] The call to Prayer [AZAN] is called prior to each The call to Prayer [AZAN] is called prior to each

PrayerPrayer Main Congregational worship is Friday [Jummah] Main Congregational worship is Friday [Jummah]

Perform Ablution [Wudhu] prior to PrayersPerform Ablution [Wudhu] prior to Prayers Direction towards the Kaba in Mecca [Saudi Direction towards the Kaba in Mecca [Saudi

Arabia]Arabia]

Ablution [Wudhu]Ablution [Wudhu]

Washing both hands and arms [upto the Washing both hands and arms [upto the elbow] elbow]

Washing the face. A miswak is used to clean Washing the face. A miswak is used to clean the mouth the mouth

Passing wet hands over the head/hairPassing wet hands over the head/hair Washing both feetWashing both feet

FajrFajr ZoharZohar Asar Asar Maghrib Maghrib IshaIsha

Points Regarding PrayerPoints Regarding Prayer

• When a Muslim is at Prayer he When a Muslim is at Prayer he connects solely to Allah and will connects solely to Allah and will

not respond to voices or calls not respond to voices or calls from those around himfrom those around him

• Walking in front of a person who Walking in front of a person who is praying should be avoided is praying should be avoided

• A typical act of worship takes A typical act of worship takes

10-15 mins.10-15 mins.

3. Zakah [Charity]3. Zakah [Charity]

Each wealthy Muslim is required to pay Each wealthy Muslim is required to pay 2.5% of his/her annual savings to the poor2.5% of his/her annual savings to the poor

4. Sawm – Fasting4. Sawm – Fasting

Muslims fast the whole month of Ramadhan Muslims fast the whole month of Ramadhan Month is Lunar rather than solar [29 or 30 Month is Lunar rather than solar [29 or 30

days] days] A fast consists of avoiding eating, drinking A fast consists of avoiding eating, drinking

or sexual relations during light hours or sexual relations during light hours Those who are elderly, weak, ill, frail or Those who are elderly, weak, ill, frail or

undertaking a journey need not fastundertaking a journey need not fast

5. Hajj – Pilgrimage5. Hajj – Pilgrimage

Muslims should perform Hajj at least once in a lifetimeMuslims should perform Hajj at least once in a lifetime The Hajj period is fixed [once a year] The Hajj period is fixed [once a year] It is the largest annual human gathering [2-3 million It is the largest annual human gathering [2-3 million

people] people]

Hajj RouteHajj Route

The QuranThe Quran

Revealed to Prophet Mohammed Revealed to Prophet Mohammed Revealed and recited in Arabic Revealed and recited in Arabic Translated in many languages Translated in many languages Respected by MuslimsRespected by Muslims Placed on a high place [never on the floor] Placed on a high place [never on the floor] Should be touched with clean hands/clean Should be touched with clean hands/clean

gloves gloves

The Prophet Mohammed The Prophet Mohammed [Peace be upon him][Peace be upon him]

Born in Mecca [570] Born in Mecca [570] Received first revelation at age 40 Received first revelation at age 40 The last and final Prophet of Allah The last and final Prophet of Allah Migrated to Medina [622]Migrated to Medina [622] Died in and buried in Medina [632]Died in and buried in Medina [632]

DIET- HALALDIET- HALAL The term HALAL means lawful The term HALAL means lawful The term HARAM means unlawful The term HARAM means unlawful Halal includes all fruit, veg, eggs, fish and certain Halal includes all fruit, veg, eggs, fish and certain

animals when ritually slaughtered animals when ritually slaughtered Haram includes pig/pork and by-products, Haram includes pig/pork and by-products,

alcohol, animals not ritually slaughtered, all meat alcohol, animals not ritually slaughtered, all meat eating animals etc. eating animals etc.

There should be no cross contamination between There should be no cross contamination between Halal and HaramHalal and Haram

Kosher meat is also Halal/permissible for Muslims Kosher meat is also Halal/permissible for Muslims to consume to consume

Conditions for Halal SlaughterConditions for Halal Slaughter

Slaughterer is Muslim Slaughterer is Muslim Supplication offered [symbolising Supplication offered [symbolising

permission and authority] permission and authority] The animal is alive at the time of slaughterThe animal is alive at the time of slaughter

Common Questions/IssuesCommon Questions/Issues

Dog Searches Dog Searches Cross gender searches Cross gender searches Prayers in Workshops/Education Prayers in Workshops/Education Prayers during patrol state Prayers during patrol state Terrorism/Extremism/Suicide Terrorism/Extremism/Suicide

Bombings Bombings Shariah LawShariah Law