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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

 

A brief overview of Islam

The word Islam means ‘submission to the will of God’.

Islam is the second largest religion in the world with over 1 billion followers. The 2011 census recorded 2,706,066 Muslims in the UK, around 4.8% of the population.

  • Muslims believe that Islam was revealed over 1,400 years ago in Mecca, Arabia.
  • Followers of Islam are called Muslims.
  • Muslims believe that there is only One God.
  • The Arabic word for God is Allah.
  • According to Muslims, God sent a number of prophets to mankind to teach them how to live according to His law.
  • Jesus, Moses and Abraham are respected as prophets of God.
  • They believe that the final Prophet was Muhammad.
  • Muslims believe that Islam has always existed, but for practical purposes, date their religion from the time of the migration of Muhammad.
  • Muslims base their laws on their holy book the Qur'an, and the Sunnah.
  • Muslims believe the Sunnah is the practical example of Prophet Muhammad and that there are five basic Pillars of Islam.
  • These pillars are the declaration of faith, praying five times a day, giving money to charity, fasting and a pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once).

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