| through zealous Americans who came into contact with Islam during World War II. The first mosque was opened in New York City in 1893. A few others appeared, primarily in the Midwest, through the first decades of the twentieth century. Since 1965, several hundred Islamic centers and mosques have been established. Mosques are autonomous centers tied together by their sharing a common faith and through the networks provided by such groups as the Islamic Society of North America, the Federation of Islamic Associations in the U.S.A. and Canada, and the Muslim World League (an international association with national chapters). BASIC BELIEFS: Muslims attempt: (a) to hold fast to the creed of Islam (belief in God, in His Unity and other Divine Attributes; in the Angels, in all the Messengers of God including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad; in the Sacred Books including the Torah, the Gospel of Jesus, the psalms and the Qur'an; and in the Day of Judgment); (b) to respect the moral and legal codes of Islam which permeates all areas of human life; (c) to observe the basic duties of worship, namely: (i) to proclaim the shahadah confession of the faith; (ii) to perform the mandatory five daily prayers on time; (iii) to fast the month of Ramadan, the 9th in the lunar calendar, from dawn to sunset; (iv) to pay (to the poor) Zakat (taxes or religious tithes on certain properties), including (v) to perform pilgrimage in Mecca, at least once in lifetime. The religion of Islam is based on the Glorious Qur'an, the Sacred Book of Islam. In addition, Hadith i.e., the words and practices of the Prophet Muhammad, serve as a second source which unfolds and interprets the Qur'anic text. PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: Islam emphasizes good conduct, chastity, charity and honest dealing. It also stresses equality and justice to all. A Muslim is to strive to always do what is good and avoid what is evil. The weekly holiday is celebrated on Friday, annually the following holiday and festivals are celebrated. (Since the Muslim (Lunar) calendar is eleven days less than the Gregorian calendar every year, these holidays do not present permanent dates on the regular calendar. The New Year's Day Ashura Maulid-An Nabi (The birthday of the Prophet) Isra' and Mi'Raj (Anniversary of the Night Journey of the Prophet and his Ascension to Heavens) Nisfu Sha'Ban (Middle of Sha'ban) Beginning of the month of fasting (1 Ramadan) Lailatul-Qadr (Eve of 27 Ramadan) Idul-Fitr (The Feast marking the end of Fasting) Waqfatu "Arafat (Pilgrims assemble on 'Arafat) Idul-Adha (The Feast of Sacrifice) During the month of fasting the meal schedule has to be adjusted, providing a predawn light meal and a post sunset breakfast meal. Muslim prefer to begin this breakfast meal with dates. At the end of the month a small charity must be given away to the poor (as alms) on behalf of each Muslim soul. (In addition, an adult Muslim needs the means to pay a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his life.) ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: There are no centralized authorities and no class of clergymen. The individual's bond with God is direct, with no intermediary. There are "religious" scholars who, in view of their academic attainment, can answer inquiries and are regarded as authorities on theological questions. Besides, there are also Islamic organizations in America of which the Council of Imams may be regarded as the highest body on Islamic theology and canon law. ROLE OF MINISTERS: There is no priesthood, no ordination. Yet "religion" scholars, know as lanais in America, assume religious responsibilities, deliver sermons, lead in prayers, render counsel, officiate at conversion and marriages, and take charge of an Islamic Center. WORSHIP: Any Muslim can conduct the service; the deeper his knowledge the more entitled to do so. Group worship is recommended for each of the five daily prayers, but is obligatory in the case of the noon prayer on Fridays. Minimum "equipment" for worship includes a pre-prayer ablution with pure water and cleanliness of the body, clothes and place of prayers. A prayer mat or rug is desirable for prayers. During the Friday congregation at noon a platform from which a sermon is to be delivered may be needed. Friday noon prayers should be held and attended in a mosque or a suitable building. All other prayers can be carried out in any other clean facility or place as long as the worship per is facing the east while praying. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: Only pork and its derivatives, as well as intoxicating liquors and harmful drugs, are forbidden. FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: The presence of any Muslim or Muslims at the Moment of death is desirable. Burial requirements include full washing of the body, shrouding, funeral prayer service and burial. Autopsy is not allowed unless required by law. Cremation is not allowed. MEDICAL TREATMENT: No restrictions, except when it entails consumption of intoxicants. OTHER: The Muslim position on service in the armed forces is that it is a duty for the purpose of defense. There are no practices or teachings which would conflict with military directives, unless a Muslim is compelled to eat during the daytime of Ramadan or is denied the chance to observe his prayer duty, and provided that no killing of innocent people or women or children occurs. Islam's relationship to other religions is cordial. Islam acknowledges past religions, teaches tolerance and respect of the adherents of other religions, guarantees safety of their blood, properties and churches, and forbids proselytizing by compulsion. No active effort is made for recruitment. Members of the faith in a locality aggregate and form societies and establish their centers. Conversion to Islam in America has been going on voluntarily as the result of the awareness by people of the merits of Islam through chance contacts or reading. GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Abd al-Ati, Hammudah. Islam in Focus. Edmonton, Alberta: The Canadian Islamic Centre, n.d. 127pp. (reprinted in several editions) Hamid, Abdul Walid. Islam the Natural Way. London: Muslim Education & Literary Services for Muslim World League, 1989. 195pp. Maudoodi, Sayyed Abul A'la. Towards Understanding Islam. Lahore, Pakistan: Islamic Publications, 1963. 191pp. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Council of Imams in North America 1214 Cambridge Crescent Sarnia, ON N7S 3W4 Canada or Islamic Society of North America P. O. Box 38 Plainfield, IN 46168 (317) 839-8157 Fax: (317) 839-1840 or Institute of Islamic Information and Education P. O. Box 41129 Chicago, IL 60614 (312) 777-7443 |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| Sunni Islam The Islamic Center |
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| ADDRESS: No central headquarters. The Islamic Center provides a national focus and point of contact between the Sunni Muslim community and American society: 2551 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 USA OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN: Sunni Muslims LEADERSHIP: The Rector of al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, is regarded as the top authority on Islamic theology. MEMBERSHIP: Not reported. [Editor's note: It is estimated that there are more than two million Sunni Muslims in the United States.] HISTORICAL ORIGIN: Islam was transmitted through the Prophet Muhammad who was born in the Arabian town of Mecca in A. D. 570. He started to preach Islam in the same town in A. D. 610. In 622 he emigrated to Medina, 280 miles north of Mecca, where Islam flourished and continued to grow. By 632, when the Prophet died, Islam dominated all the Arabian peninsula. In a few more decades, it gained supremacy in the whole region of the Middle East. Muslims began to emigrate to the U.S. in the beginning of the 20th century. Mostly they came from the Middle East, although some came as seamen from Asia, first settling in port cities. The number of emigrants progressively increased since the First World War, bringing in Russian and other Muslim nationalities, and soon Muslim groups and societies began to spring up. Since then Islam also began to win local converts |
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