Saudi
Arabia is home to Islam, one of the three monotheistic
religions. Muslims believe in one God, and that Mohammed
is his Prophet. As the heartland of Islam, Saudi
Arabia occupies a special place in the Muslim world. Each
year, millions of Muslim pilgrims journey to Makkah, in
Saudi Arabia, to pay homage to God. For this reason, Saudi
Arabia is one of the most traditional Muslim countries and
its citizens adhere to a strict interpretation of the
Koran.
A Muslim has five obligations, called the Five Pillars of
Islam. These obligations are:
1) Profession of faith:
"There is no god but God; Mohammed is the messenger
of God."
2) A Muslim should pray
five times a day, facing the city of Makkah.
3) A Muslim must pay a
fixed proportion of his income, called zakat to the poor.
4) During the ninth month
of the Islamic calendar, a Muslim must fast. During
this time, called Ramadan, Muslims must abstain from food
and drink from dawn to sunset.
5) A Muslim must perform
the Haj, or pilgrimage, at least once during his lifetime
(if he/she has the economic means).
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