1. The Five Pillars of Islam The foundation of Muslim life

2. Pillar 1: Faith or Shahada The Muslims believe there is only 1 god, named Allah. Muslims believe that Mohammed is the messenger of God.

3. Pillar 2: Prayer or Salat Muslims pray 5 times a day. Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall. When praying, Muslims turn their bodies so they are facing towards Mecca, Saudi Arabia. If in Mecca, they face the Kaaba. The Qiblah is the direction that should be faced when a Muslim prays, usually marked by a niche in a wall or mihrab.

4. Pillar 3: Tax or Zakat Muslims are required to give a certain percentage of their extra earnings to charity. Muslims believe that giving to others purifies their own wealth, increases its value, and causes one to recognize that everything we have is a trust from God. It’s usually 2.5% of your extra earnings.

5. Pillar 4: Fasting or Sawm During the month of Ramadan (a religious celebration), Muslims will fast (abstain from food and drink) from dawn until sun down. This is done to express gratitude to God The festival that ends the month is called Eid al-Fitr Ramadan is said to be the time when the Koran (Muslim holy book) was revealed to Mohammed. Takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

6. Pillar 5: Pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia or Hajj Every able-bodied Muslim is required to make the Hajj to Mecca once in their lifetime if they can afford it. This takes place during the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Pilgrims wear special clothes. They are simple so that all stand equal before Allah.

7. Pillar 5: Pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia or Hajj Pilgrims must go around the Kaaba (sacred house) 7 times, and go seven times between the hills of Sarfa and Marwa (1.3 miles in total) They then stand together on the plains of Arafat and join in prayer for Allah’s forgiveness. Finally, the pilgrimage ends with a festival, Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts.

9. -Prayer 5X a day; at dawn, noon, mid- afternoon, sunset, & evening -Facing Mecca

10. -Giving $$ to the poor -2.5% of pay; 1X a year

11. -no eating or drinking from dawn until dusk for an entire month -Ramadan 2013: July 8 to August 7 Ramadan is a time for Muslims to ask for forgiveness, pray for direction for the future, pray for help to avoid everyday troubles, and cleanse the self of sins, troubles, etc.

13. Video Links A quirky song http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?title=Song_ over_Middle_East&video_id=158484http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?title=Song_ over_Middle_East&video_id=158484 A view inside a mosque http://www.360tr.net/kudus/mescidiaksa_eng/index.ht ml A quick and cute video on the Five Pillars http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikVGwzVg48c A very quick video on the Five Pillars http://kids.britannica.com/elementary/art-72105/The-five- pillars-of-Islam?&articleTypeId=38