2 Million Gather for Islam’s Hajj
MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia — About 2 million Muslims from around the world prayed at a desert hill in Saudi Arabia yesterday, joined in their faith and desire to purify their souls at the start of the annual hajj pilgrimage. It is here on Mount Arafat, marked by a white pillar, where Islam’s Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his last sermon to tens of thousands of followers some 1,400 years ago, calling on Muslims to unite. Prayers on and around the mount are a climactic emotional and spiritual moment in the hajj. The faithful believe that on this day the gates of heaven are open, prayers are answered and past sins are forgiven. Among the crowds...
Pope urges ‘mutual respect’ with Islam...
VATICAN CITY (AFP) – Pope Francis called on Friday for “mutual respect” between Christianity and Islam and an end to “unfair criticism” in a personal message congratulating Muslims on the feast of Eid al-Fitr. “We are called to respect the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols, its values,” he said in a statement distributed by the Vatican press office. “I have decided to sign this traditional message myself and to send it to you, dear friends, as an expression of esteem and friendship for all Muslims, especially those who are religious leaders. “We all know that mutual respect is fundamental in any human relationship, especially among people who profess religious belief,” he said. The statement was...
Muhammad, a consistent protector of minority rights...
Moh Yasir Alimi, Semarang | Sat, 02/04/2012 1:58 PM During this month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims are celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad was born in the sixth century in the middle of a culture of ignorance, when people fought because of their tribal affiliations and religious beliefs and women were treated like camels. Amid such a poor condition for humanity, Muhammad came to teach humanity, tolerance, humility, equality, justice and compassion. He always emphasized consciousness of God and the divinity of human life as the gate of enlightenment, so that human beings would not enslaved by their own ego and bodily impulses. Karen Armstrong describes Muhammad as...
Prophet Muhammad a unique historical figure...
The prophet Muhammad is certainly one of the most influential figures in history. Michael H. Hart, in his book, The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, puts Muhammad at the top of the 100 most influential personalities. More than a billion people across the world follow Muhammad and take him as their guide, mentor and leader. Muslims’ respect, love and reverence for Muhammad are deep and genuine. Out of regard, Muslims always say “Peace be upon him” every time they invoke his name. Muhammad’s legacy is far-reaching and permeates every aspect of Muslim life. Today, Saturday, coincides with the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Interestingly,...
Mawlid Al-Nabi 2012: Muslims Celebrate The Birth Of The Prophet Muhammad...
Mawlid al-Nabi (also Mawlid, Milad) is the observation of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. In 2012, Mawlid al-Nabi is observed on Feb. 4 by Sunni Muslims and Feb. 9 by Shia Muslims. The earliest account of the observance of Mawlid can be found in 8th century Mecca. Historically, this was a festival of the Shia ruling class and the first official public celebrations occurred in Egypt towards the end of the 11th century. Gradually it spread throughout the Muslim world, with the first Sunni Muslim celebration taking pace in 12th century Syria. However, Islamic scholars and theologians are divided on whether observing Mawlid is permissible within Islam. The vast majority of Wahabi scholars forbid the celebration of...
Muslims celebrate the Prophet’s birth...
Muslims celebrate Mawlid an-Nabi (Mevlid Kandili), which marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad today. During the Mevlid Kandili, a large number of people go to the mosques, pray to Allah (God) until late night. Prophet Muhammad was born in the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, in A.D. 571. Muslims consider him God’s mercy to the world as he is the last in a series of monotheistic religions’ prophets and the person who presented Islam to the world. His personality and manners are seen as a sacred model to be emulated by all Muslims....
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