Islam is first and foremost a religion about devotion to God.

American media, especially following 9/11, often portray radical elements and groups of Islam without balancing these elements with traditional forms of Islam. This is similar to the portrayal of Christianity in media, with attention going to, say, the Westboro Baptist family. But Islam is a multi-faceted and fascinating religion. Islam is all about surrendering to God, who in Arabic is called Allah. Therefore, a Muslim literally means one who submits. Islam, like Christianity and Judaism, is radically monotheistic; there is exclusively one God who requires his people to worship him. In the seventh century Muhammad experienced revelations from God where he received the Quran (Islams Holy Book). The Quran was dictated to him by an angel in Arabic and this, subsequently, plays a huge part in Islam today. Other religions that seek after converts (i.e. Christianity) often allow their message and their holy book to be translated into the local language; Islam does not allow this. For Islam, Arabicand Middle Eastern culture in generalis tied up with Islam. The effect of this position is different for insiders and outsiders. For insiders, it deeply solidifies the bonds between Muslims and provides cultural affirmation and identity, as well as religious identity. For those outside of Islam and Middle Eastern culture, the mentality and practices of Islam are often difficult to understand. For example, one of the central practices of Islam is fasting during the month of Ramadan. Muslims do not eat or drink during the daylight at all; they eat and drink only between nightfall and daybreak. As an American this practice might strike us as strange but when it is cultural and everyone partakes with you it is not so strange. Religious practices are fundamental to Islam. If you are familiar with Christianity, you might know that many forms of Christian faith emphasize belief and confession of that belief as the defining characteristic of a Christian. Though Islam also requires a confession of faith (that both acknowledges submission to the one God and affirmation of Muhammads role in Gods revealing work), the practices of a Muslim are significantly more important, at least day-to-day. Islam calls for a five-fold daily prayer. Spontaneous and personal prayer are present in Islam but ritualized, communal prayer is much more fundamental. Every day Muslims stop what they are doing, cleanse themselves (either symbolically or physically), and perform their prayers, which involve movement and a position from ones knees. This is done every day in the morning, midday, midafternoon, evening, and just before nightfall. In brief, Islam is a religion about devotion. Muslims are committed to their God in a way that completely pervades their lives (whether it be in pausing from work to pray or fasting for the month of Ramadan or a host of other ways). Islam calls for devotion to God and service to neighbors. Islam is a religion that is often misunderstoodmake no mistake, some aspects of Islam are deeply problematic and Islam needs to figure out a way to exist in a pluralistic world but Islam is often practiced by people who just want to love God and want to understand their world in light of service to this God.