Islam in a Nutshell

by Seemi Ahmad

Story provided by Egypt Magic

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.

Adam Henein by Lara Iskander

Arabic Music by David Scott

Ahmed Askalany's Incredible Palms by Heba Fatteen Bizzari

A Bedouin Dinner in the Sinai by Julia Kaliniak

Cairo's Gold Mine of Used Books Still Offers Treasures by Dr. Maged El-Bialy

Children in Modern Egypt by Catherine C. Harris

Coptic Christians of Egypt, An Overview of the by Lara Iskander and Jimmy Dunn

Egypt's 1960s Remarkable Virgin Mary Sightings by Amargi

Egyptian Arabic by Jimmy Dunn writing as Ismail Abaza

Egyptian Food by Joyce Carta

Egyptian Hajj Painting by Sonny Stengle

The Egyptian Middle Class by Jimmy Dunn

Egyptian Porcelain Center: A New Showcase for Egyptian and World Artists by The Egyptian Government

The Egyptian Wedding by Dr. Maged El-Bialy

Eid: Celebration for the Young and Old by Mohamed Osama

Islam in a Nutshell by Seemi AhmadIslam

Koshary by Heba Fatteen Bizzari

The Legends of the Cretan House by Dr. Maged El-Bialy

Marvelous Melokiyah by Mary Kay Radnich

El Misaharaty: The Ramadan Drummers by Heba Fatteen Bizzari

Modern Egyptian Houses by the Egyptian Government

Modern Egyptian Pottery by the Egyptian Government

Moulids! by Lara Iskander

The Mysteries of Qurna by Sonny Stengle

Naquib Mahfouz's Classic: Bedaya Wa Nihaya, A Review by Adel Murad Naquib Mahfouz (1911-August 30th, 2006)

Never Mind, Just Crossing the Moon By Arnvid Aakre

On Understanding Egypt by Ralph Ellis

Party for the God in Luxor by Jane Akshar

Egypt's Rafat Wagdy by Heba Fatteen Bizzari

Ramadan in Al Hussein Square by Seif Kame

lRamadan in Egypt by Sameh

Ramadan in Korba, Heliopolis by Seif Kamel

Ramadan Lanterns in Egypt by Heba Fatteen Bizzari

The 8th Annual Scupture Symposium for Stone in Aswan by The Government of Egypt with revisions by Jimmy Dunn

The Sebou Ceremony Welcoming a New Born Baby in Egypt by Heba Fatteen Bizzari

Sham el Nessim, Egypt Spring Festival by Heba Fatteen Bizzari

Sheikh Yusuf al-Haggag, His Mosque and Moulid In Luxor by Jane Akshar

Umm Kalthoum by Lara Iskander

You Don't Have to Go to the Khan El-Khalili by Dr. Maged El-Bialy

The Zar Ceremony by Heba Fatteen Bizzari

Last Updated: June 13th, 2011