Editorial Commentary: Little about Egypt and the Arabic world in general is more misunderstood in the western world than the Islamic religion.  At one time I visited a Christian church in the Midwest United States where a preacher delivered a sermon about the pagan gods of Islam. I was aghast, and am certain that most educated western theologians are much better informed than this.  Still, it is the type of thing, along with a general ignorance of the Islamic religion by many in the west, that creates misunderstanding and considerable mistrust. In reality the Islamic religion is much closer to Christianity than many westerners know. Almost every Muslim I have met in my association with Egypt has been admirable, thoughtful of others, peaceful and honest.  And while Islam certainly has a very minor faction of radicals, so too does Christianity. I will leave it to our readers to think of examples, but the point is that the two religions are not really worlds apart, nor are their followers. In particular, Egypt is a highly moderate Islamic state, and many westerners are surprised to find particularly the middle class so much like themselves.

Furthermore, many of the differences we do see in Egypt are not really peculiar to Islam. For example, while we advise covering shoulders, legs and having a head covering for women when entering religious sites in Egypt, this applies equally to Coptic Christian churches and Islamic monuments.  Simply stated, these traditions arise more due to an older culture steeped in a somewhat less open moral fiber, rather than to any specific religion.

Islam, Christianity and Judaism all trace their roots to the prophet Abraham and today are the three great monotheistic religions practiced worldwide. All three worship the One Universal God, Creator of the Universe. “ALLAH” in Arabic means “One Universal God.” All 3 religions commit themselves to prayer, peace with justice, harmony, cooperation, compassion, charity, family responsibility, tolerance towards people of other faiths and respect for the environment.

Muslims, those who practice Islam, are United in Islam, literally meaning “submission.” Piety, to a Muslim, is defined as submitting to God and to doing good works. The Quran is the final revealed Word of God and provides the complete guide for human behavior. Its text was revealed directly to the prophet Muhammad between 610 and 632 C.E. Muhammad is revered by Muslims as the last of God’s prophets but is not worshipped.

Muslim women, like men, have the right to obtain an education, own property and engage in business, professions and public life. Both men and women dress modestly out of respect for public morality.  Societies that oppress or discriminate against women do so in spite of, not because of, Islam. The Muslim husband is primarily responsible for the support of his family, his wife for the care of the household and children. Divorce, while strongly discouraged, is possible and can be initiated by either wife or husband. Muslims assume personal responsibility for relatives and those in need. Within Islam a widow or elderly person is almost never left to fend on their own.

Islam preaches moderation and abhors extremism, terrorism, fanaticism, oppression and subjugation. True and faithful Muslims are committed to living according to the Quran and to tolerance, charity, hard work and cooperation with others.

The Five Pillars of Islam are the practicing tenets to which the faithful adhere:

• Decree of Faith. Muslims declare: There is no God EXCEPT ALLAH and Muhammad is His Prophet and Last Messenger. 
• Prayer. Prayers are said five times daily at prescribed hours. 
• Alms. Giving and distributing the annual charity and alms for the less fortunate. 
• Fasting. From dawn to dusk throughout the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Muslim calendar. 
• Hajj. Undertaking a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad, at least once in the lifetime for those capable of making the journey. 

Editorial Postscript: Certainly one of the major differences in Egypt (and other Arabic countries) that has grown out of Islam is art.  While modern art in Egypt takes every form, traditionally, the Islamic cultures have taken the religious ban on "engraven images" more to heart.  Hence, we have arabesque which is an art form of often intricate patterns.  While Christian churches may have statues and icons depicting Jesus, prophets and saints, their Islamic mosques do not.  Rather, the art is often very beautiful pattern work.