Religions in South Africa.

1. The name of the religion I am researching about is ISLAM(Muslims). The name

Islam means surrender or submission.

2. Important days in Islam are:Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated is the first day of the 10th
month -- i.e. the day after the end of Ramadan. It is a time of rejoicing. Houses
are decorated; Muslims buy gifts for relatives.

Ramadan is the holiest period in the Islamic year; it is held during the entire 9th lunar
month of the year. This was the month in which the Qura'n was revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad. The first day of Ramadan is listed above. It is a time at which almost all
Muslims over the age of 12 are expected to fast from sunup to sundown, unless they
suffer from health problems which would make fasting dangerous.

3. The Muslim place of worship is called a mosque. Before entering a mosque,

Muslims remove their shoes, leaving them outside the building.

4. Islamists eat special food called Halaal. They eat Ma`amoul biscuits at night during
Ramadan and on the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays.

5. Special clothes Islamists wear:

- Thobe: A long robe worn by Muslim men. The top is usually tailored like a shirt, but it
is ankle-length and loose.
- Hijab: a square or rectangular piece of fabric which is folded, placed over the head
and fastened under the chin as a head scarf.

6. How they worship:

Muslims pray at five set times of day:

Dawn, before sunrise: Fajr.

Midday, after the sun passes its highest point: Dhuhr.
The late part of the afternoon: Asr.
Just after sunset: Maghrib.
Late evening: Isha.
7. Why they aboserve Important days:

Ramadan: Fasting instills self-restraint, provides spiritual cleansing and strengthens

ones willpower. While fasting, Muslims strive to increase charitable acts and control
bad habits such as foul language, gossip and anger.

Charity: Muslims must give 2.5% of their annual savings to help the poor, the needy
and the oppressed. This act of devotion acknowledges that all wealth comes from God
and purifies the soul from material greed.

Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca must be performed by every Muslim once in their life if
they are physically and financially able. It symbolizes the unity of humankind as Muslims
from every race, nationality and social status assemble together in equality to worship
God, following the traditions of Abraham.

Holy Days: The two Eid festivals mark important holy days for Muslims. Eid-ul-Fitr is
celebrated at the completion of Ramadan while Eid-al-Adha falls during the days of Hajj.
Both occasions begin with a congregational prayer and a sermon; these are followed by
festive meals, gift-giving and socializing.

8. -Interesting facts about Muslims: Muslims believe that God has revealed 99 of His
names, or attributes, in the Quran. It is through these names that one can come to
know the Creator. A few of these names are the All-Merciful, the All-Knower, the
Protector, the Provider, the Near, the First, the Last, the Hidden and the Source of All
Peace.

-Muslims neither worship Muhammad nor pray through him. Muslims worship the
Unseen, Omniscient Creator, Allah.

9.
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