Islamic Awareness

1. Islamic Awareness Introduction to Islam and Muslims

2. Islam Means submission. Muslim is the one who submits himself to Allah [God] • 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide • 80% of Muslims are non-Arabs • Indonesia is the largest Muslim country

3. Islam in the UK • Approx 2.4 million Muslims [3%] • Mainly from Asian sub-continent • In 1891 there were 4037 Muslims settled in the UK • The first UK Mosque established in 1860 in Cardiff • Approx 3000 Mosques/Islamic centres today

6. Key Beliefs • One God • The Prophet Mohammed as the last messenger of God [Jesus, Moses Abraham etc are all Prophet’s of God] • The Quran as the last of all revelations • Previous revelations like the Gospels, Psalms and Torah all were revelations from God. • Belief in Hereafter [Heaven and Hell]

7. The Five Pillars of Islam • Shahadah: Declaration of Faith [Belief in one God and Mohammed as His Prophet] • Salah- 5 daily acts of worship • Zakah- Annual Charity Donation [2.5% of savings] • Sawm- Fasting in the Month of Ramadhan • Hajj- At least once in a lifetime pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca [Saudi Arabia]

8. 1. Shahadah • Declaration of Faith • Not necessarily a special ceremony • ‘I testify that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah, and Mohammed [peace be upon Him] is His Messenger’

9. 2. Salah/Worship • 5 times a day in congregation or single [Congregation is preferred] • Each Prayer has a fixed time window • Time variations depending on length of day [window is longer in summer than in winter] • The call to Prayer [AZAN] is called prior to each Prayer • Main Congregational worship is Friday [Jummah] • Perform Ablution [Wudhu] prior to Prayers • Direction towards the Kaba in Mecca [Saudi Arabia]

10. Ablution [Wudhu] • Washing both hands and arms [upto the elbow] • Washing the face. A miswak is used to clean the mouth • Passing wet hands over the head/hair • Washing both feet

11. Fajr • Zohar • Asar • Maghrib • Isha

13. Points Regarding Prayer • When a Muslim is at Prayer he connects solely to Allah and will not respond to voices or calls from those around him • Walking in front of a person who is praying should be avoided • A typical act of worship takes 10-15 mins.

14. 3. Zakah [Charity] • Each wealthy Muslim is required to pay 2.5% of his/her annual savings to the poor

15. 4. Sawm – Fasting • Muslims fast the whole month of Ramadhan • Month is Lunar rather than solar [29 or 30 days] • A fast consists of avoiding eating, drinking or sexual relations during light hours • Those who are elderly, weak, ill, frail or undertaking a journey need not fast

16. 5. Hajj – Pilgrimage • Muslims should perform Hajj at least once in a lifetime • The Hajj period is fixed [once a year] • It is the largest annual human gathering [2-3 million people]

17. Hajj Route

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

19. The Prophet Mohammed [Peace be upon him] • Born in Mecca [570] • Received first revelation at age 40 • The last and final Prophet of Allah • Migrated to Medina [622] • Died in and buried in Medina [632]

20. DIET- HALAL • The term HALAL means lawful • The term HARAM means unlawful • Halal includes all fruit, veg, eggs, fish and certain animals when ritually slaughtered • Haram includes pig/pork and by-products, alcohol, animals not ritually slaughtered, all meat eating animals etc. • There should be no cross contamination between Halal and Haram • Kosher meat is also Halal/permissible for Muslims to consume

21. Conditions for Halal Slaughter • Slaughterer is Muslim • Supplication offered [symbolising permission and authority] • The animal is alive at the time of slaughter

22. Common Questions/Issues • Dog Searches • Cross gender searches • Prayers in Workshops/Education • Prayers during patrol state • Terrorism/Extremism/Suicide Bombings • Shariah Law