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Islam

Islam is one of the three main monotheistic Abrahamic religions, along with Christianity and Judaism. It was spread by the Prophet Mohammed in the 7th century A.D. The Islamic holy book is the Quran, and according to Islamic tradition it entails the direct word of God as spoken to the Prophet. Islam is centered around five pillars which detail the five duties incumbent on every Muslim. The first is the Shahada, the Muslim profession of faith. The second is prayer: A practicing Muslim must pray towards Mecca five times a day. There is also Zakat, the alms-tax, according to which Muslims must share their wealth with those in need. Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is the fourth pillar, and Hajj, the mandatory pilgrimage each Muslim must make at least once in their life, is fifth. The Ka’bah sanctuary in the city of Mecca is the most holy Islamic site, and the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage. The second most holy site is the prophet Mohammed’s mosque in the city of Medina. Third in line is Jerusalem, where, according to Islamic tradition, Mohammed ascended to heaven. Adherents to the Shi’ite school of Islam also regard Karbala in Iraq and Meshed in Iran as holy sites. The two main Islamic schools are the Sunni and the Shi’a. The differences between the two originated with the Prophet’s death in 632 A.D, when disputes arose as to who would be Mohammed’s rightful heir. Some worshippers thought that only a direct descendant of Mohammed should lead the movement, while others thought that a leader should be chosen by consensus. Those who supported a direct descendant wanted Ali to become caliph, but they lost out. When Ali eventually became caliph years later, he was massacred along with many of his followers in 680 at Karbala. Those who supported him eventually became Shi’ites. Since then, the two doctrines have evolved. They now contain disagreements and differences while still maintaining agreement on many essentials of Islam. In addition to the Sunni and the Shi’a, there are also additional branches of Islam such as the Druze and Alawi. Though they identify as Muslims, other Islamists often do not consider them proper followers of the faith. Other religious groups like the Baha'i are split-offs from Shi’a Islam. Sufi Muslims, a spiritual sub-sect of Islam, can have either Sunni and Shi’a backgrounds. Islam is the fastest growing major religion in the world. Its devotees make up the majority of the population in over 50 countries and number over 1.8 million. Over 85% of these Muslims are Sunnis, who are spread throughout the Arab world, as well as Indonesia, Bangladesh, Turkey, Pakistan and more. Most Shi’ites are centered in Iran, Iraq and Bahrain. The majority of Muslims in and around Israel are Sunnis. Islam recognizes two holy days (Eids) each year, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca. The dates of the Eids differ according to the Gregorian calendar because the Islamic calendar, like the Jewish one, is based on the lunar year.

Iran pushes Islamic unity through high-level regional calls during Eid al-Adha - analysis

Iran uses Eid al-Adha diplomacy to strengthen regional ties, project unity, and influence nuclear talks with the US, while tensions with Israel persist.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
People attend Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Tehran, Iran, March 31, 2025. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout
The Taliban's delegation preparing to depart for the 16th International Kazan Forum, May 17, 2025.

Kazan Forum 2025: Russia courts Islamic world as Taliban sends its first delegation

While President Trump signed deals with Gulf partners, Putin courted partnerships among the world’s Muslim nations in an attempt to reshape global trade dynamics.

|ByARSHAD MEHMOOD / THE MEDIA LINE
Members of the Taliban carrying flags participate in a rally to mark the third anniversary of the fall of Kabul, in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 14, 2024.

Taliban bans chess over fear of gambling, whether it is permitted in Islamic law

The suspension was announced by the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which followed the dissolution of the Afghanistan Chess Federation.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
The flags of the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Bahrain are screened on the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City on September 15.

Confronting antisemitism demands reviving the legacy of Jewish-Arab symbiosis - opinion

The Holocaust and shared memory: Modern antisemitic narratives are foreign ideological imports, not organic products of Arab-Islamic thought.

|BySALEM ALKETBI

Handling of Gaza funds and alleged ties to Muslim Brotherhood cause uproar at Dublin Islamic center

An official at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland is being encouraged to step down over alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

MAY 3, 2025
A man holds Irish and Palestinian flags as people protest calling for governments around the world to stop arming Israel during a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Dublin, Ireland, June 15, 2024

Muslim and Christian Arab leaders join March of the Living

The delegation, led by Sharaka, featured participants from Morocco, Bahrain, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries

APRIL 29, 2025
Sharaka delegation during March of the Living

Priceless Islamic manuscripts to be auctioned at Sotheby's 'Arts of the Islamic World & India' sale

The collection spans over 500 years, showcasing artistic traditions of Islamic dynasties from Spain to Indonesia.

APRIL 1, 2025
Priceless Islamic manuscripts to be auctioned at Sotheby's 'Arts of the Islamic World & India' sale.

Religious figures unite in Ein Rafa to foster interfaith understanding

Religious leaders from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam gathered in Ein Rafa on March 25 during Ramadan for an interfaith discussion that emphasized shared values, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

MARCH 30, 2025
ByGIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE  
Different members of the community together, March 2025.

Herzog's iftar: Arab leaders share concerns amid rising tensions

The iftar dinner celebrated cultural diversity while tackling pressing regional issues. Arab leaders called for a united front against violence and extremism.

MARCH 17, 2025
MUSLIMS PRAY marking Ramadan in al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City.

From ancient pagans to the Islamic Republic: The shaping of Iranian civilization

The Jerusalem Post Podcast with Tamar Uriel-Beeri and Sarah Ben-Nun.

MARCH 14, 2025
Sarah Ben-Nun is seen interviewing Dr. Menahem Merhavy of Hebrew University of Jerusalem on The Jerusalem Post Podcast.

Syria’s new leadership drafts constitutional declaration amid controversy

Leaks from Syria’s draft constitution reveal a requirement for the president to be Muslim, raising concerns over inclusivity.

MARCH 5, 2025
ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, in Damascus on December 23, 2024.

A look in between sanctity and tension during Ramadan in Israel - opinion

Unfortunately, in recent years, the month of Ramadan in Israel has become a period marked by tension. Instead of preserving the values of compassion, extremist elements exploit the month.

MARCH 4, 2025
ByNAI’L ZU’ABI
MUSLIMS PRAY marking Ramadan in al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City.

The fabrication by criminal terrorists to please Iran’s dictator - opinion

The Iranian regime is on the verge of collapse; criminal mullahs attempt to distract the Iranian people from uniting behind the leadership of the Prince of Iran.

MARCH 2, 2025
The late Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

Israel Police warns against fake news, incitement ahead of Ramadan in Jerusalem

Israel Police noted that terrorists exploit Ramadan to “incite and disseminate misleading narratives about events in Jerusalem, especially in the Old City and on the Temple Mount.”

FEBRUARY 25, 2025
Palestinians walk near the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, in September 2024.

Salman Rushdie's attacker found guilty of attempted murder

Rushdie, 77, was stabbed with a knife multiple times in the head, neck, torso and left hand, blinding his right eye and damaging his liver and intestines.

FEBRUARY 21, 2025
ByREUTERS
Defendant Hadi Matar arrives for his trial on charges of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault dating to an attack on Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie, at Chautauqua County Court in Mayville, New York, US February 11, 2025