Basics of Islam (Continuea) 3) Alms-Giving (Zakat): This is their alms for the support of the poor in their community. 4) Fasting (Swam): Throughout the cylighe hours of the lunar month of Ramadan, chservant Muslims must fast. No food, drink, smoking or sexual activity. 5) Filgrimage (Haj): If they are physically and financially atle, all Muslims must go cn pilgrimage once in their lifetime to Mecca's holy sites, during the official three cys of the Great Haj. For More Information Well Warshi LA Brief | . to Islam by Bishcp Braxton ‘This article is linked thrcugh Bishep Braxton's biography at www.diobelle.org What Does the Catholic Church Say about lasera Aetate, D . Relati Fhe Ch ‘NomChrsrian Relig Ieep://wrorw.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/i Lvatican_council/documents/vateii_decl_196 511028_postravaetate_en.heml Eric jes: A Catholic Muslim Spiticual Journey The Wese Dias Cathouics: {Musiims heeps//werw-usech.org/seia feiends.sheml Islam? ) stam States Reflections for the Future After Two ‘Decades of Experience ty John Berelli Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligicus Affairs, USCCB hetp://www.usccb.org/seia/borellishtml Ceated by Divese ct Bellevue Cificect Religious Facawicn, Fesmissicn graneed to phocecepy and cisenace,Basics of Islam Islam has a wide variety of traditions and groupings. Practices and Authority differ with the various groups. There are some essential elements that are held in common, These are known as the Five Pills. 1) The Creed Ghahada): Every Muslim must be able to prochim this simple creed with absolute conviction of its truth. “There is no god but Allah and ‘Muhammed is his messenger.” 2) Prayer (Salat): Faithful Muslims pray a standardized set of prayers five times a day. Friday is the tradicional day for praying as a community at a mosque. The prayer contains very little ritual cr ceremony. It consists of the praise of Allah taken from chapters of the Koran. Official Statements in Catholic Documents on Islam: "Catholics need to be familiar with the hiseary of Iskm, especially the conflicts becween Christians and Muslims. ‘The Church urges both Catholics and Muslims to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedam. In the United States, the growing number of immigrants who prefer the islamic faith makes imperative efforts to try to understand elements of their belief, as well as dialogue and cooperation between Catholics and Muslims. National Directory For Catechesis p.214-215 "The plan of salvation abo includes these who acknowledge the Creater, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims, these profess to hald the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day." Catechism of the Cathclic Church paragraph 841