Muslims observe five formal daily prayers. They are timed throughout the day, so that one is constantly reminded of God.
A mosque (masjid in Arabic) is a place for worship in Islam. Nearly every community of Muslims dedicates a space or building for congregational prayer. There are some features that nearly all mosques have in common, no matter their location.
The lunar Islamic calendar does not align with the Gregorian calendar. Next week, the Islamic calendar will turn from year 1430 to year 1431 H.
Muslims measure the passage of time using the Islamic (Hijrah) calendar. This calendar has twelve lunar months, the beginnings and endings of which are determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. Years are counted since the Hijrah, which is when the Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Madinah (approximately July 622 A.D.).
Switzerland has long been known as a land of tolerance and neutrality. But on Sunday, the majority of Swiss citizens voted in favor of an outrageous law to ban all future construction of mosque minarets. Mosque minarets?!
The minaret, a benign feature of traditional Islamic mosque architecture, has been drawn into a right-wing, fear-mongering campaign. According to supporters of this new law, the minaret of a mosque is essentially a political symbol. It is seen as a sign that radical Islamist elements wish to take power in Europe and implement Islamic law. It represents "foreign ideologies" that have no place in a secular democracy like Switzerland.
In the same breath, supporters of this law claim to respect Islam and Muslims. They insist that mosques (sans minarets) can still be built, and Muslims can still fully exercise and enjoy freedom of religion. Apparently, though, they just don't want to see any visible "foreign" influences on "their" soil.
What is most disturbing is not that right-wing politicians pushed for such a law (that is to be expected), but that the Swiss people bought into their xenophobic arguments and passed it.
Read more about the Swiss minaret ban, and what is likely to happen next.
May the blessings of Eid be with you and your families, all across the world. May Allah accept the pilgrimage of those who made the journey. Kul 'am wa entum bi-khair!
Send Eid greetings to your loved ones, with free online Eid cards.
Official Hajj activities begin on Wednesday, the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah. On this day, the millions of pilgrims who have gathered in the city of Makkah (Mecca) travel to the nearby village of Mina for a day of prayer and preparation.
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Use these prayers to inspire and inform your own conversations with God. More >
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