MUSLIMCREED Disasters are an unfortunate part of life that test the limits of society. These global catastrophes not only require immediate relief efforts, but they also leave behind communities in desperate need of aid and support as they rebuild their lives after the disaster has occurred. It’s essential that all levels of government and non-profit organizations have plans in place to help these communities recover as quickly as possible; this will help to limit the long-term impact of the disaster on those affected by it. Unfortunately, many parts of the world do not have access to this kind of aid, making it difficult to recover from disaster effectively.
Eid Al Adha
Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, is a major Islamic holiday and one of the top religious holidays. It marks the end of Hajj, or annual pilgrimage to Mecca. According to tradition, Abraham was about to sacrifice his son as God commanded him. But when he rose up with his sword to carry out God’s will, an angel stopped him before he could harm his only child by putting a sheep in his place. This act of obedience became known as the test of Abraham. To commemorate it, every able Muslim must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able. During Hajj, pilgrims reenact some aspects of Abraham's story during their stay at Mina, where they throw stones at three pillars called Jamarat (symbols of Satan) after sunrise on Eid al-Adha.
The World Gives Thanks
At a time when faith and cultural divides are at an all-time high, it’s refreshing to see followers across all faiths come together to support a crisis. Especially since that crisis isn’t even one they directly face. As they say, no one has been left behind. But how did we get here? Where did it all begin? And how can we help going forward? Let’s take a closer look.
Sunnism vs. Shiasm (Why We Don’t Fight Back)
In light of recent conflicts, many people are left with a sense of confusion. How could so much death be justified? In times like these, it is important to remember that Sunnis and Shias have coexisted peacefully for centuries. The roots of Sunni-Shia sectarian strife dates back to at least 632 AD when Prophet Muhammad died. Since then, disagreements have developed over who was his rightful successor—the Shia believe it was Imam Ali while Sunnis believe Prophet Muhammad chose Abu Bakr. Today, most scholars recognize that there are two main branches of Islam: Sunni (85–90%) and Shia (10–15%). While both sects agree on most core tenets of Islam, there are some differences between them. Differences include ritual prayer practices, religious law called Sharia, spirituality and religious organization.
What does it mean to be a Muslim?
It means to be a follower of Islam, an Abrahamic monotheistic religion articulated by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) over 1400 years ago. The faithful believe that there is one supreme God who created all human beings and has sent many messengers or prophets to guide humanity towards monotheism. Islam preaches justice, tolerance, equality and fraternity. It stands for moderation in all aspects of life and forbids indecency, wrongdoings and taking life away unjustly. In essence, it is a way of life which guides its followers on how they should conduct themselves with fellow humans, animals and nature. This way of life was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) through Angel Gabriel who appeared before him numerous times between 610-632 CE.
Islamophobia vs. Terrorism
One Year Later: A year ago, a group of terrorists attacked our city’s airport. After witnessing hundreds injured and lost innocent lives, our hearts went out to those who were affected by such a brutal act. In times like these, it’s important to remember that terrorism and Islamophobia are two different things altogether. Terrorism is an act of violence intended to spread fear; while Islamophobia is discrimination against Muslim people based on their religion and culture. Let us not forget that one cannot exist without the other, so let’s stop blaming all Muslims for what happened last year and start working towards creating a better future together.
Media and Terrorist Groups Are the Biggest Threats To The Islamic Identity Today
Since terrorist groups such as ISIL and Daesh have become a global presence, many believe they pose a threat to Islam. However, while extremists are certainly dangerous, they don’t pose much danger to Islam. The real threat comes from media outlets and global political organizations. With their agenda-driven reporting and politically motivated narratives that try to paint Islam as an inherently violent religion, these entities are causing harm far more severe than extremist groups could ever dream of bringing about.
