Islam

Fatma Amer
Contents
What is a Muslim? 4
The five acts of worship 6
Muhammad, the last prophet 8
Muhammad's migration to Madinah 10
The Qur'an 12
Visiting a mosque 14
Festivals and celebrations 16
Family traditions 18
The Hajj 20
The spread of Islam 22
Holy cities 24
Art and craft 26
Activity 28
Glossary 30
Index 31
Notes for parents and teachers 32
 What is a Muslim?
Islam around the world
Muslim is a follower of Islam, the
Muslims believe that the

A religion based on the teachings of

a sacred book called the Qurbn,
which Muslims believe contains the
word of God. The word Islam means
Qur'an was revealed to the
prophet Muhammad who
hvedover 1400 years ago, in
'peace' and 'submission' in Arabic. All 'he coun,ry now known as
Muslims, wherever they are from, try Saudi Arabia. Within fewer
to live by the teaching of Allah (God). 'han 100 years of his death,
They try to make everything in their Islam had spread far and
life perfect, for Allah's sake. wide. Today, there are
Muslims living around the
globe. They are of different
▼ These Muslim girls are from California, nationalities, come from
in the United States. different cultures and speak
many different languages.
■ What do Muslims believe?
Muslims believe that there
1S only one God, Allah who ■
created humans and the
universe for them to live in
out of his love. Muslims
also believe that Allah chose
prophets to show them how
to lead their lives in peace fJ4t
and harmony.

▲ The Quran is written in

Arabic Here, an English
translation is on the left­
hand side of each page

◄ These Muslims
Prophets
are praying at the Muslims believe that
London Central Allah spoke to the
Mosque
prophets through his
angels, who then
delivered his message
to people. The chain of
prophets starts with
Adam. It includes
Ibrahim (Abraham),
Musa (Moses) and
‘Say (0 Muslims). “We believe Isa (Jesus), and ends
in Allah and that which has with Muhammad.
been sent down to us.'"
Qur'an 2:136
5
The five acts of worship
The second pillar
slam is based on five acts (duties) The second pillar is Salah,

Iof worship that Muslims perform.

They are also known as the Five
Pillars, as if Islam were a strong
building held up by five pillars.
meaning 'prayer'. Muslims pray
five times a day. Prayer times are
at dawn, midday, early afternoon,
just after sunset and at night-time.
Muslims pray either on their own
or in groups. All adult Muslims
▼ Arabic writing of the Shahadah on a tile
should attend midday Friday
in the Topfapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey It means
"There is no other god but God, and Muhammad prayers at a mosque.
is the messenger of God."

The first pillar

The first pillar is Shahadah,
meaning 'declaration of faith'.
The declaration says that
Allah is the only God, and
that Muhammad was his
messenger. This declaration
is repeated by all Muslims
in their daily prayers.

► This boy is praying on a

grayer mat called a sajjada
6
 The third pillar
The third pillar is Zakah, meaning 'giving
to the poor and needy'. Every Muslim
who can afford it gives at least 2.5 per
cent of their yearly earnings to charity.
This is to guard against selfishness and
greed, and to allow those who are able
to share what they have.

Relief, a British-based char

The fifth pillar

The fifth pillar is Hajj, meaning
pilgrimage'. Muslims hope
to make the pilgrimage to the
holy city of Makkah at least
once in their lives. Makkah is
home to the Ka'ba. Muslims
believe that the Ka'ba was the
The fourth pillar first place on Earth built for the
The fourth pillar is Sawm, purpose of worshipping God.
meaning fasting. Muslims
do not eat or drink from dawn
until sunset during Ramadan,
the ninth month in the Islamic
calendar. This helps Muslims to
practise self control. In Muslim
countries, during Ramadan
evenings, children visit homes
in their area chanting rhymes
to celebrate the fast.
Muhammad, the last prophet

uslims believe that Muhammad was the last and final

M prophet. Muhammad was born into a noble family in

Makkah in 571ce. When he grew up he
became a merchant. He was
a trustworthy and wise man,
and the people of Makkah The angel's visit
used to ask for his advice One day, when he was 40 years
and guidance. old. Muhammad was meditating in
the cave of Hira, outside Makkah
▼ The cave of Hira, the place where the when he had a vision of the angel
prophet Muhammad used to meditate Jibril (Gabriel) telling him repeatedly
to say the words, 'Recite in the
name of your Lord, who created
man from a clinging substance.
The words meant that there was
only one god, who was very
powerful and had created humans.

X
 More messages
The angel visited the prophet
Muhammad many more times
to reveal more of Allah's words.
Muhammad memorized them and
recited them to his companions,
who memorized them in turn. All
the words were recorded in the
book that came to be known as
the Qur'an.

► This boy is reading the Qur'an in a mosque

Leaving Makkah

'ed,n'he idols to make

money. They turned against
^hammad. whose new
ehg'on they sow as a threat to
'h- -ay of earning th^v n

Soh t^^nttobuy
'dols any longer. As a result

▲ Makkah, home of the

9
Muhammad’s
migration to Madinah
Twelve years had passed since the Allah told Muhammad to ask the
angel had first visited Muhammad. Muslims to go from Makkah' to the
The number of people becoming city of Madinah, where they would
Muslim in Makkah grew, but they be welcomed and could live
began to be bullied by some rich peacefully. It was much to ask, as
merchants, called the Quyrash, who they would be torn away from their
did not like what Muhammad had families and would have to leave
to say. The merchants were worried their homes behind. Muhammad
that they would lose their powerful stayed behind until almost everyone
position in the city if people began had gone. He finally left one night
to follow Allah. To prevent this, they with Abu Bakr, his best friend and
stopped people trading or being most trusted companion.
friends with Muslims.

10
 So that the Quraysh would
not immediately suspect
Muhammad was leaving,
his cousin Ali stayed
behind in his bed. The
Quraysh were furious
when they found out that
Muhammad has escaped,
and pursued him at once.
Muhammad and his
friend Abu Bakr rode
through the desert all
night, but the next day it
was too hot to ride and
they hid in a cool cave This threw the Quraysh off the scent as they
to rest. In order to protect did not believe that anyone could possibly
his prophet, Allah caused a have entered the cave without destroying the
spider to spin its web over web or scaring the dove away. Muhammad
the entrance to the cave, and Abu Bakr were able to continue their
and a dove to build her journey and were welcomed by everyone
nest and lay eggs nearby. when they at last reached Madinah.
 The Qur’an
he Qurbn, the sacred book of Islam, is written in the Arabic

T language. Muslims believe that it contains the exact words of God,

told to Muhammad by the angel Jibril. Because the words
of the Qurbn were both told to Muhammad and written down in Arabic,
Muslims everywhere try to learn Arabic in order to read it. Even now,
although the Qurbn was translated into many languages, Muslims must
learn how to read (or at least recite) part of the Qurbn in Arabic.

◄ Some copies
of the Qur’an
are very highly
decorated with
striking patterns
in rich colours.

Calligraphy

are ava.lable, a Qur an written by hand by a skilled

-gr0pher,, „ ,Ieasured Qnd p^ous VO «ed.
Learning the Qur an
The Qur'an is divided into 30
parts and contains 114 suras
(chapters) Each sura is made up
of verses that were
Muhammad at different times
and in different places.
Muslims try to memorize as
many suras as possible. A
person who learns the whole
Qur'an has the honorary title of
'hafiz'. People do their best to make
A These four
their voices beautiful when they boys in LomboK.

recite the Qur'an. Some people even Indonesia, are Reciting

learning the Qur’an
choose to be professional Qur'an the Qur'an
reciters, and recite the Qur'an as In Muslim countries
their job. during Ramadan,
competitions are held
for adults and children
to see who can
memorize and recite
Write your name in Arabic the whole Qur'an, or
You will need: coloured card • scrap paper • pencil parts or it. People
coloured pencils • felt-tip or metallic pens • sequins • glue
spend a long time
training for such events.
Many Muslims also like
to start everyday
activites by reciting a
few verses from the
Qur'an to ask for
Allah's blessings upon
I Find a website that shows Write your name in Arabic,
* the alphabet in both 2 in pencil, on the card what they intend to do.

Arabic and English (see Then go over the letters neatly

page 32). Practise writing with a felt-tip or metallic pen.
your name in Arabic on the
scrap paper.
Decorate the card with sequins
and geometric designs.
13
Visiting a mosque
ohnny was very excited On the way, Johnny saw the gold

J because he had arrived in

London from Australia to
spend a week with Ali, his pen
pal. Ali had promised to take
dome of the mosque from a
distance. He was curious as he
had never seen a mosque before.
Ali explained, "Muslims can pray
Johnny to see all his favourite anywhere, provided that the place
places in London. "Why don't
is clean. However, mosques are
we go and visit the London
our places of worship. We believe
Central Mosque?" said Ali. "It's
down the road from my house that the Ka’ba in Makkah was the
and it's my favourite place!" first place of worship on Earth. It
was built by Adam. We face it
▼ Tte London Central Mosque when we pray."
 As they entered. Ali pointed out the
building's features: "All mosques have at
east one minaret, a dome and a library
normally sit in the library once a week
after my Arabic and Qur'anic lessons
next to the prayer hall." The boys took
off their shoes and placed them in the
nearby rack before entering the building
The main area inside the mosque is
the prayer hall, where worshippers
gather during prayer times. The prayer
hall is normally carpeted, but has no
are not nil Pic,ures of People or animals
▲ The main hall has are not allowed inside the prayer hall. The niche in
a grand chandelier
It shows th0?? WOrshipPers is cal|ed the mihrab
shows the direction of Makkah. where the Ka'ba is.

A prayer timetable tells the

worshippers when each
prayer begins and ends. As
the two friends heard the call
to prayer, Ali pointed out the
Imam "Come on Johnny,"
he said, "Lets go and meet
him!" The Imam explained
to the boys, "My job is to
lead the prayer, so I stand
in front of the worshippers." As Johnny
watched the people praying, he thought
about how much he had learned during his
visit to the mosque, and how much his friend
Ali had taught him about his religion.
Festivals and celebrations

estivals and other Muslim celebrations are very colourful and

happy occasions, especially for children. People wish each other
well and exchange presents and beautiful cards decorated with
pictures of mosques or Arabic calligraphy. The word for festival in
Arabic is 'Eid; and the most important festivals in Islam are Eid-ul
Fitr, at the end of Ramadan, and Eid-ul Adha.

Ramadan
Each day during Ramadan, Muslim families
gather at sunset to eat a meal together. They
eat after first saying prayers and breaking the
▼ Children
fast with dates and milk. All adults fast during
dance to
Ramadan, and some parents let their children celebrate the
fast for a few hours each day, too. Children who breaking of
the fast
manage to fast for any length of time are
normally given special treatment to encourage
them. Daily fasting ends with the
Festival of Eid-ul Fitr.
 Festival of
Breaking the fast
Sacrifice
Eid-ul Fitr (festival of
Eid-ul Adha (festival
breaking the fast)
of sacrifice) is when
starts at the end
Muslims remember
of Ramadan.
the story of the prophet
Families gather
Ibrahim, who was asked
in the homes
by Allah to sacrifice his
of their eldest
son, Is'mail (Ishmael),
relative to exchange
in order to show
gifts and prepare special
his love for Allah.
sweet dishes to be shared and
▲ Almond biscuits At the last minute.
eaten together. It is an especially are baked and
Allah spared Is'mail
joyful time for the children because served at festivals
and told Ibrahim
they get new clothes and extra
to kill a sheep in
pocket money.
his son’s place

Make some Eid party biscuits

You will need: lOOg unsalted butter • lOOg caster sugar • 200g flour • 20 blanched
almonds • icing sugar • mixing bowl • wooden spoon • baking tray • sieve

I Beat the butter and sugar Divide the dough into Place the biscuits on a
• in the bowl until light and 2 equal-sized small balls 3 baking sheet and bake in
fluffy. Mix in the flour with Place an almond on top of the oven at 150'C (350 ’F)
your hands until the mixture each ball and flatten the for 30 minutes. Let the
forms a dough Add a little balls with your fingers to biscuits cool, then sprinkle
water, if needed form biscuit shapes. with icing sugar
 Family traditions

mportant stages in a

I Muslim's life, such as birth,

marriage and death, are
marked by special religious
traditions and ceremonies.
Birth
After the birth of a child, the father
whispers the shahadah (see page
Other traditions and customs 6) in one of the baby's ears and
are also observed in day-to- the call to prayer in the other. He
day life. Special rules guide touches the baby's mouth with
Muslims as to what they are honey to sweeten it. It is traditional
and are not allowed to do. to name a baby seven days after
Things that are allowed are the birth. The name chosen for a
called 'halal'. Things that are
baby should have a good
not allowed are called 'haram'.
meaning. Baby boys are often
named after one of the prophets.
Girls may be named after one of
the women in the prophet
Muhammad's
household, or
one of the women
mentioned in
the Qur'an.

◄ A MusJim family celebrate

the birth of a new baby

(8
Marriage
Islamic teaching encourages
Muslims to marry and to start
their own families. Marriage is
seen as the joining of two
families, not just two people,
and parents often choose the
marriage partner for their sons
and daughters. Family and
friends gather to celebrate the
marriage and to give the
newlyweds their blessing. There ▲ A traditional Muslim
may be two wedding ceremonies: one at wedding in Cairo, Egypt

the signing of the marriage contract and the

second when everyone gathers for a meal.
Death
After someone dies,
the body is washed,
wrapped in a simple
► These cloth and then buried
Muslim children
as soon as possible.
are snacking on
some dates At the funeral, family
and friends gather and
offer Janazah, which
are prayers for the
forgiveness of the
Food person who has died.

AH types of food are halal (allowed) for The body is buried

Mushms except pork and alcohol. Dates and with the face turned
towards Makkah.
milk are popular ingredients in many dishes
and are often eaten to break a fast These
two foods are always offered to guests as a
welcome. The dates symbolize sweetness
and the milk symbolizes purity.
19
The Hajj

ajj, or the pilgrimage to Makkah, is the fifth pillar, when a Muslim

H shows devotion to God as part of a group. It takes place over a

few days during the second week of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of
the Islamic calendar. Every Muslim adult who can afford to must perform
Hajj at least once in their life - if they are physically able. Parents often
take children along, to introduce them to one of the most important rites
in Islam. With pilgrims of all races and nationalities going for Hajj every
year, it is the world's largest annual gathering.

The simple life

In Hajj, Muslims celebrate the
story of God's guidance sent
to humankind, starting with
Adam and ending with
Muhammad. Because it is a
spiritual act, pilgrims must
lead a simple life while
performing it. Men wear
two pieces of white
seamless cloth. Women
can wear any simple
.. .,, , garment. This is to show
hat the pilgnms are not concerned with
their clothing or other material things It is
▲ also a sign of equality between all people
There is no distinction between people of
Afferent race or wealth in the eyes of God
The Hajj begins
The first and most important
act of Hajj is to walk around
the Ka'ba seven times as
Adam and Ibrahim did. The
pilgrims also walk seven
times between two nearby
hills known as al Safa
and al Marwa. This is to
remember how Ibrahim s
wife, Hajar, went
searching for water for her
baby Is'mail at this spot in the desert, ▲ These Hajj pilgrims
are climbing down the
after her husband left them there.
Jebel al-Noor, or Mountain
of Light, outside MaWtnh

end of the Hajj

The Pilgrims ask for God's forgiveness
on the plain of Arafat, where ft is ZJ
and Eve were reuXZ

Pebb es9aat7h'hem 'hey ,hrow

Satan r J Sp°’ where 'heV believe
ob7yGXodpersuade'brahim'io,,°
uey ood. in doing so, they declare
miahtrf|eC,,On °f ony femPfations they
mfght face m life. They also offer a
sacrifice (as Ibrahim did). This act is
one by all Muslim households, so that
soiritnni °" ,he Ha» can share its
spiritual message. This act marks the
beginning of Eid-ul Adha. The last rite
" o vvanc around the Ka'ba again
the farewell visit. [
The spread of Islam
Islam in Africa and Europe
fter the death of the prophet

A
Muslim merchants spread
Muhammad, Islam spread rapidly
across Asia, Africa and Europe. their faith to North Africa,
The early Muslims came from the where it remained close to
deserts of Arabia, but they soon the trade routes. From there,
learned to adapt to new environments Muslims moved into Spain
and mix with people of different and established an Islamic
traditions and cultures. Today, there civilization which lasted for
are one billion Muslims worldwide. 700 years. Many Spanish
cities had magnificent Muslim
palaces and impressive
▼ Inside the Mezquita mosque mosques. Today, about one
in Cordoba, Spain million Muslim people live
throughout Spain
 China and
Southeast Asia
Knowledge
Arab traders reached seekers
China, where a group To seek knowledge is
gained the permission a good act in Islam, so
of the Chinese emperor Muslim scholars travelled
to settle in his land. in order to learn and
Today, there are around to see the world. They
200 million Muslims in usually travelled with
China. Muslim merchants and trade caravans that
traders were also the reason ese Muslims crossed new lands.
•unq at a Qur'an
why Islam reached countries Many of them settled
in Southeast Asia, including in the Countries they
present-day Brunei, Malaysia visited and established
and Indonesia. Indonesia now new communities
has the largest Muslim of Muslims. Others
population in the world. preferred to write

attend Friday prayers about what they saw.

at a mosque in JaKata Their writing provided
those who didn't
travel with information
about life in these
countries during those
times. It was through
the travelling of these
seekers for knowledge
that Islam came to
be known and adopted
as a religion by many
people around
the world

23
Holy cities
akkah, Madinah and Jerusalem are the three holiest cities

M in Islam. Each of these cities played an important part in •

Islamic history and contain some of Islam's holiest places.
However, it is only to Makkah that every Muslim who is able
makes a pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.

Makkah .
Makkah is the holiest city tn Islam. The city of
Muslims believe that its sacre^ Makkah is in
Saudi Arabia, in
building, the Ka'ba, was originally the Middle East
built by the prophet Adam and
then rebuilt by Ibrahim. It houses
a black stone which Muslims
believe the Angel Jibril gave to
Ibrahim from heaven In the past,
it took pilgrims months to reac
Makkah, either on foot or by
camel. These days pilgrims amve
by aircraft in a matter of hours.
11
Ret ri!
RM
'-m

v II ' ■ ”
The radiant city
Madinah is the second holiest city
in Islam. Its name means 'the
radiant city' because the arrival
of Muhammad was thought to be
a new spiritual beginning for the
people who lived there. The mosque,
which Muhammad helped to build,
became the centre of the new
community. Muhammad made
Madinah his home and lived there
until he died. Pilgrims often come to
the city to visit the Prophet's Mosque
▲ The Prophet's Mosque
after their journey to Makkah.
in Madinah.

Al-Aqsa
Mosque
The Al-Aqsa mosque
* The
is near the Dome of
Dome of the
Rock is built the Rock, in Haram
over the al-Sharif, or the Noble
sacred rock.
You can still Sanctuary - a complex
see the rock of buildings, gardens
inside the
and fountains.
building
The name 'Al-Aqsa'
means 'farthest
Jerusalem
mosque'. It was to the
Jerusalem, in Israel, is the third holiest city in Islam. Al-Aqsa mosque
It is home to the third holiest mosque, the Al-Aqsa, that Muhammad came
and also to The Dome of the Rock. This is the place from Makkah on the
where Muhammad led all the prophets and night he visited the
messengers in prayer. Muslims believe that it was sacred rock.
from here that Muhammad was lifted up to
heaven, where God told him that Muslims must
pray five times a day.
25
 /Art and craft
lmost everything in a Muslim home or building, including the

A building itself, is an example of Muslim art. Muslims believe

in making their lives perfect for Allah. By making everyday
items such as rugs, books and fabrics beautiful, Muslim people
believe they are showing their
devotion to Allah. Most Islamic
art features patterns made from
Beautiful buildings shapes, flowers or Arabic
The Dome of the Rock calligraphy. This is because
pictures of people or animals
and the Al-Aqsa mosque
are not allowed, especially
in Jerusalem, as well as
in places of worship.
the Taj Mahal in India, are
examples of impressive
Islamic buildings. Many ▼ The Taj Mahal was built by the
Muslim buildings, including Muslim emperor Shah Jahan
as a tomb for his wife
homes and many
mosques, have flowing
fountains at the centre
of beautiful gardens.

12
i-
Carpet and rug making Calligraphy
Muslim craftspeople are very talented at Some Muslim artists
making carpets and rugs. Carpets made in Iran, specialize in the art of
Afghanistan and Turkey are some of the finest calligraphy. There are
made anywhere in the world. Carpet makers
many different styles
compete among themselves to make the most of calligraphy. In the
stunning and complicated designs. past, it was done by

I Draw a design onto the Carefully remove the

I cardboard. Ask an adult

to carefully cut around the

3 stencil and let the paint
masking tape. Dab paint dry Cut out a square of
lines with a craft knife to onto the tile through the felt and glue it onto the
make a stencil. stencil holes using a sponge. back of your tile
 Activity
Make a model
of the London
Central Mosque
You will need: Two cereal boxes
• scissors or a craft knife • glue
• piece of red felt about 50cm x 25cm
• black felt-tip • 50cm x 50cm square
of thick white card • ruler • pencil • large sheets of white
A The London Central Mosque
paper • a rounded yoghurt pot • gold paper (or gold paint is one of the best-known
or spray paint) • thin cardboard tube from the centre of mosques in Britain Its large
a kitchen roll • sticky tack • sticky tape • two cocktail sticks golden dome can be seen from
far away

Place the L-shape onto a -Use a ruler and pencil to

boxes together to form

2 piece of red felt. Draw
around it with a black felt-tip
3 draw faint lines to divide
up the other half of the
an L-shape This is the pen and cut out. Glue the felt card into squares, to look
basis for the mosque to the piece of white card like a tiled courtyard.

Cover the L-shaped

4 mosque in white paper,
due the paper to the
cereal boxes, to make the
outside of the building look
neat and tidy.

28
 X
X
£- Draw arch shapes, each Z2 For the mosque's dome. Ask an adult to use
** about 2cm wide, along
the inside of the L-shape
” cover the yoghurt pot
with gold paper, or paint or
7 scissors to cut away the
rim of the yoghurt pot Glue
Cut them out to make holes spray it gold (Ask an adult or tape the finished dome
for the windows to help!) onto the top of your mosque.

paper or spray them gold. Stick

one end of a cocktail stick to the
back of each crescent with tape

I A Using a cocktail stick.

1 ’hi it1'
• pierce a small hole in
the top of the dome and
another in the minaret.
Carefully push one cocktail
stick through each one.
Place your mosque on top
of the carpeted area of
the card base
 Glossary
Allah The Arabic word for God.
meditate To think or reflect in a calm
Arabic The language spoken in Arab manner
countries such as Egypt. Iraq, Saudi
Arabia and Morocco. Muslims believe that migrated To journey from one place
the angel Jibril spoke in Arabic when he or country to live in another
told Allah's message to Muhammad.
mihrab An alcove in the wall of the mosque
calligraphy Beautiful handwriting It is which the worshippers should face. It
thought of as a type of art People who indicates the direction of the city of Makkah.
write calligraphy as their job are called
minaret A tower on a mosque Traditionally
'calligraphers'.
used for calling Muslims to prayer
caravan A group of traders or other
mosque A building or place where Muslims
travellers journeying together.
worship and study together.
fast A fast is a period of time during
pilgrimage A special journey to a place
which you do not eat any food.
of religious importance People go on
idol A statue or picture worshipped pilgrimages to show their devotion to god.
as a god People who are on a pilgrimage are
called pilgrims.
Imam A Muslim teacher, or leader
of the Muslim prayer. prophet A person who receives a message
from God and spreads the message on
Janazah Prayers for the forgiveness Earth
of the dead.
Ramadan The ninth month of the Muslim
Jerusalem A city in Israel. It is the third most calendar Muslims fast during daylight hours
holy city in Islam and is home to the Al-Aqsa of Ramadan.
mosque and The Dome of the Rock.
recite To repeat aloud from memory.
Ka'ba The first place built for the worship
of Allah. Muslims face it when they pray.

Madinah Madinah is a city in Saudi Arabia.

It is the second most holy Muslim city. It
is where Muhammad migrated to from
Makkah, and where he helped to build
the Prophet's Mosque.

Makkah A city in present day Saudi Arabia,

where the ka'ba is found, and where
Muhammad was visited many times by
i: ? angel Jibril. It is the most holy Muslim city.

30
 Index
Abraham 5,17, 24 hafiz 13 12.13,18. 20. 21. 22, 25
Abu Bakr 10-11 Hagar 21 Musa 5
acts of worship 6-7 Haji 7, 20-21, 30
Adam 5.14. 20. 24 halal 18.19, 30 pilgrimage 7, 20-21. 30
Africa 22 haram 18 pilgrims 20-21
Al Aqsa mosque 25. 26 Hira 8 prayer 6.15. 20. 25
Ali 11 prophets 4, 5, 8-9,18. 30
Allah 4. 8-9.10-11,13,17. Ibrahim 5,17. 20. 21. 25
20,30 idols 9, 30 Qur'an 4. 9. 12-13,18, 26
angels 5, 8.10,12, 24. 30 Imam 15, 30 Quraysh 10-11
Arabic 5.12.15. 30 Indonesia 23
art 26-27 Is'mail 17, 21 Ramadan 7.13.16,17, 30
Asia 22 reciting 13, 30
Jamral 21
birth 18 Janazah 19. 30 Safa 21
Jerusalem 25, 30 salah 6, 30
calligraphy 12, 27. 30 Jesus 5 Satan 21
caravans 23, 30 Jibril 8,12. 24 Saudi Arabia 4
carpets 27 sawm 7. 30
charity 7 Ka'ba 7,14, 20. 21, 24, 30 shahadah 6.18, 30
China 23 soul 7
Madinah 9,10-11, 25, 30 Spain 22
death 19 Makkah 7, 8,10,14,15,19, sura 13
declaration of faith 6 20-21, 24, 25. 30
Dome of the Rock 25. 26 marriage 19 Taj Mahal 26
Marwa 21 Topkapi Palace 6
Eid-ul Adha 17, 21, 30 meditate 8, 30 traditions 18-19
Eid-ul Fitr 16-17, 30 migrate 9, 30
mihrab 15, 30 worship 6.14
fasting 7,16.17. 30 Mina 20
festivals 16-17 minaret 15, 30 zakah 7, 30
five Pillars 6-7 Moses 5
food 17.19 mosque 6. 9,14-15, 25,
26-27, 30
Gabriel 8,12 Mount Arafat 21
God 4, 5, 8,13. 20, 21. 25 Muhammad 4, 5, 6. 8-9,10.

31
 Notes for parents
and teachers
Religions guidelines For educational resources, artefacts and
This book is an accessible introduction to the children's literature contact:
beliefs and practices of the Muslim faith It does The Islamic Foundation: www islamic-
not aim to be a comprehensive guide but gives foundation org uk
plenty of opportunity for further activities and study The Muslim Educational Trust: www.muslim-ed-
The content is closely linked to the non-sfatutory trust.org.uk
Discover Islam www.discoverislam com
framework for Religious Education, particularly
the OCA schemes of work listed below. The
To arrange for group/school visits or
topics selected also overlap with locally agreed
to find out about how mosques work
RE syllabuses
contact:
Unit 1A: What does it mean to belong? The East London Mosque
Unit ID: Beliefs and practice http://wwweostlondonmosque.org.uk
Unit 2C: Celebrations The Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre (Al Manor):
Unit 2D: Visiting a place of worship http://www.mchcorg.uk
Unit 3A: What do signs and symbols mean in
religion? Projects for the children to try
Unit 4D: What religions are represented in our • Create an Eid postcard for an imaginary
pen-friend in Australia and write a message
neighbourhood?
on the back describing what you sow and how
Unit 5A: Why is Muhammad important to
how you felt when you visited a mosque with
Muslims?
your school.
Unit 5B: How do Muslims express their beliefs
through practices? • Make a list of names of your Muslim friends.
Find out about their meanings in English and
Unit 6B: Worship and community: what is the role
in your friends' own longuagefsl
of the mosque?
Unit 6C: Why are sacred texts Important? • Invite your friends to on Eid party and serve
Unit 60 What is the Qur'an and why is it them almond Eid biscuits.
important to Muslims?
For the activity on page 13. the following
list of some useful websites: websites show the alphabet in Arabic and English:
Islamic Awareness Week: http://www.iaw.org.uk http://pistolero.unilang.org/arabe/index.html
www.blss.portsmouth.sch.uk
Islamic Relief: hnp://www.islamic-relief.com
Muslim Aid: hflp//www,muslimaid.org
Muslim Heritage www.muslimheritage.com
The Virtual Classroom
www.isb.org uk/virtual/newsite

32
 Pid you know.
Followers of Islam are called Muslims and their religion
is based on the teachings of the Qur’an, its sacred book?
The word Islam means ‘peace’ and ‘submission’?
Muslims believe that their prophet, Muhammad, was
visited by an angel who revealed Allah’s words?

Explore the fascinating world of Islam and discover how

the Prophet Muhammad started one of the most popular religions
in the world. Explore its history, find out about its famous followers
and learn about Muslim beliefs, traditions and colourful festivals.

QED’s World of Faiths series introduces children to six

of the world's main religions. Written by a specialist in the religion,
each book explains key beliefs and features an illustrated story,
extracts from holy books and art and craft activities to try.