Muslim

//DEFINITION// : A believer in or adherent of Islam. A "Muslim" is an adherent from the religion of Islam. A "Muslim" believes in only one god, translated in Arabic to "Allah." Muslims believe that Islam existed long before Muhammad and that the religion had evolved with time from the time of Adam until the time of Muhammad and was completed with the revelation of verse 3 of Surah al-Maeda.

//PRACTICES//: Muslims consider making ritual prayer five times a day a religious duty (fard) these five prayers are known as fajr, dhuhr, asr, maghrib, and isha. There is also a special Friday prayer called jumu ah. Muslims follow the 5 pillars of Islam.

//5 PILLARS OF ISLAM//: Five religious duties expected of every Muslim. The five pillars are mentioned individually throughout the Quran and Muhammad listed them together in the Hadith when he was asked to define Islam. They are as follow: 1. Daily confession of faith 2. Daily ritual prayer 3. Paying the alms tax 4. Fasting during the month of Ramadan 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca

//COMMON MISCONCEPTION//:
 * A Muslim is not necessarily an Arab.
 * An Arab can be a Muslim.

The following article discusses the interesting topic of Muslim women and the different coverings they wear. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5411320.stm

IN MILLIONS*
 * ** Continent ** || ** Population in 2008 ** || ** Muslim Population in 2008 ** || ** Muslim Percentage ** ||
 * ** Africa ** || 967 * || 462.36 * || 47.81 ||
 * ** Asia ** || 4050.6 * || 1103.75 * || 27.24 ||
 * ** Europe ** || 735.2 * || 51.46 * || 7 ||
 * ** North America ** || 331.7 * || 7.13 * || 2.19 ||
 * ** South America ** || 576.85* || 2.41 * || 0.42 ||
 * ** Oceania ** || 33.54 * || 0.50 * || 1.49 ||
 * ** Total ** || ** 6694.89* ** || ** 1627.61* ** || ** 24.31 ** ||

"Muslim Rituals & Practices." //religion facts//. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2009. .