European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 20, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse D Clat lord i Jin 0il. Is. In fed of still present Day saudi Arabia. There he gained More followers created a Muslim Community returned victorious id Mecca where he smashed idols at the Pagan shrine of the Kaaba. Today the Kaaba is the most holy place in islam muslims Ace it when they Bow in prayer live times daily. Mecca Medina Jerusalem Are islam s holiest cities because of their association with the revelations 1o Muhammad Muhammad died in . 632, the message of islam inspired an extraordinary expansion of arabs out of the arabian Peninsula into North Africa Spain Central Asia the Indus River Valley. The expansion aided by he weakness of empires thai opposed in Laid the groundwork for the remarkable synthesis of islamic civilization. From the ninth to the 13lh centuries islamic civilization was Al its Peak in such centers As Baghdad. Cordoba Bukhara. Here in a Complex process of synthesis the artistic scientific legacies of the greek. Indian persian Arama Ean worlds were islamic led carried to new Levels of sophistical Ion. In a different vein the luxury of the Abbas Sld court became the basis of the arabian High a legends. Muhammad who preached restraint discipline would hardly have recognized Trie islamic civilization of this period would surely have condemned the lifestyle of the courtiers. The vast extent of the abbasid Empire the virulent political rivalries the Strain of extravagance on limited resources fragmented end weakened islam s Domain. In such a condition the islamic world was Stow to. 1986 respond to the crusades of the 1 Ullh Century end unable to Stem the mongol invasion mat swept out of the asian Steppes in the 13lh Century. The mongols put an end to Baghdad s glory. But the Faith survived Conquest by these non muslims Wilhen a half Een Lury the mongols were absorbed by islam in succeeding centuries islamic civilization assumed a variety of forms Asil blended with diverse cultures indonesian Indian turkish moroccan sub saharan african then All confronted Western civilization in its mercantile colonial Imperial technological phases. Yet through All its diversity different responses to Challenge from the Wesl islam has preserved a Central Core of beliefs. Like christianity Judaism islam arose in the Middle East. Tha Throo faiths share concepts of Good evil their codes of Law Are rooted in the ten commandments. Islam leaches that god revealed his message to a series of prophets through the Ages Adam Noah Abraham Moses reus god s Linal Complete revelation. Muslims believe was made to Muhammad the muslims believe Hal Man. As the special creation of god Horn Iree of sin should show his gratitude by obedience to god s will by fear of his Fate on the last Day by a pious modest restrained comportment in his daily life. There is no Priesthood in islam no rite elevates a Man into special relationship with god. So islam has no Vatican because of his divergence of opinion is almost guaranteed. What is agreed is that a Muslim has five duties Oral pilgrims flirt around the Black draped Kaaba in the Tot thaid of the great Moique in Mecca. Declaration that there is no Deily but god. And Muhammad is his messenger prayer live times a Day missed prayers Musl be Mada up lasting during the 30 Days of Ramadan from Daybreak to Gunsul paying alms 2.5 percent of one s yearly savings a pilgrimage to Mecca .11 least once in the life of every physically financially Able Muslim. All muslims come loge Lher on the annual pilgrimage turks. Berbers arabs indians peasants generals iranian ships iraqi sunnis. Solis Alto trek to Najaf. A venerable iraqi City that holds the Tomb Olah As Well As Karbala. Where All s con Hussein is buried. And ships Mark the Lisl 10 Days of the Muslim month of Muharram with Guimil Ridden sell punishment Lor their abandonment of Hussein although it is outlawed in most pieces men in some countries such As inn Iraq Bahrain still strip to the Waist March through the streets slashing them serves with knives beating themselves Wilh chains. Muslims Are forbidden to consume into Clanis. Pork blood anything harmful. An animal must be ritually slaughtered drained of blood before it can be Ealen. The Koran the Laws derived from in consider men women equal bul not alike. Both men women it leaches must dress modestly. The strict veiling practice by some Muslim women Tod ii is not enforced everywhere however. The Koran prescribes punishments for crimes Pally serious. After three warnings a thief is to lose four lingers not the whole hand which is needed Lor prayer. Thus he becomes an example Lor society. Anyone threatening the Security of the slate can be deported or executed. Executions thai have taken place in Iran Lor example May or May not be justified by events bul certainly have islamic precedent bul he islamic rules of evidence Are very precise Anco make criminal convictions rather difficult in Lully a Piid islam Hai re urged in several countries in recent years especially those struggling against Loreign domination whal is viewed As the evils of Western ideologies. In the absence or disrepute of such Means or expression As political parties balloting a religious move Cal May be the Only vehicle Lor change. To these muslims a return to the ways Sei Lorah in the Koran is the True path o self determination the Way of life that has been the islamic Ideal for 14 centuries. The stars stripes Page 15
