Foundations of Religion - Major World Religions After this, you are named. Usually, your parents choose your name in the following way:


ò They may name you after either the prophet Muhammad himself, or a member of his family, such as Fatimah (if you are a girl) or Ali (if you are a boy).


ò They may give you a name that reminds you of your duty to obey Allah, such as Abdullah (which means ‘the servant of Allah’).


Sometimes your parents may ask the local imam to suggest a name for you. Choosing the right name for a child is very important to us. We believe that your name influences the kind of person you will grow up to be.


Usually at Aqiqa, boys are circumcised (i.e. the loose foreskin covering the penis is removed). This is done at a hospital. It is necessary because all the prophets were circumcised.


There is no special coming-of-age ceremony for Muslims. Boys and girls automatically take on adult responsibilities once they begin puberty. This means that boys and girls are not allowed to mix socially unless they are close relatives. From that time on, girls must follow Islamic dress code and wear the hijab (i.e. a veil that covers the head).


Festivals – A Muslim Explains


Islam has its own calendar which follows the lunar cycle (i.e. the phases of the moon). So, while our year has twelve months, it has only 354 days.


We also have our own way of dating events. The Muslim era began in 622 CE. This was when the prophet Muhammad emigrated from Makkah to Madinah. It is our Year One.


We have many different festivals.


REMEMBER! Sawm means you must fast during the hours of daylight during the holy month of Ramadan. To fast means that you do not eat or drink. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar.


Our main festivals include: Ramadan Sawm is the 4th pillar of Islam.


Ramadan is important to Muslims because it was during this month that Allah first sent the angel Jibril to Muhammad. We give thanks for the gift of the Qur’an. Many of us try to read all of the Qur’an at least once during this month.


We fast during Ramadan to show our devotion to Allah and to gain forgiveness for our sins. However, the following people are excused from fasting: the elderly; pregnant women; the mentally disabled; the incurably ill; and children below the age of puberty.


REMEMBER! A festival is a large-scale religious celebration where people come together to give thanks to God. The Arabic word for festival is ‘Id’. However, Muslims on the Indian subcontinent spell it ‘Eid’.


SECTION C


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