An Introduction to Islam

The PAO's Ongoing Series On Diversity

In an effort to help foster a greater office understanding of King County's wonderfully diverse population, the PAO's Diversity Committee has been offering a series of monthly presentations that focus on distinct communities within King County.  In August's presentation, Hisham Farajallah, president of a committee that runs the Idris Mosque at Northgate, spoke about the basic principles of Islam and clarified some of the common myths and misconceptions many share regarding Islam.

Islam has a world-wide following of over one billion people.  Those who follow Islam are referred to as "Muslims."  There are more than four million Muslims in the United States, and approximately 40,000 Muslims in the Puget Sound region.   The Arabic term "Islam" literally means "surrender" or "submission," and Muslims accept surrender to the will of Allah -- the Arabic word for God.  For Muslims, the will of Allah is made known through the Qur'an (also sometimes spelled "Koran") and shared with the world by the messenger, Muhammad.   Muslims believe Muhammad was one of the last great prophets, along with Jesus, Adam, Noah, and Moses.

Muslim duties include five daily prayers, a welfare tax called "zakat," fasting between the hours of sunrise and sunset during the month of Ramadan, and a pilgrimage to Mecca if one is physically and financially able to do so.  These four duties, along with the profession of faith, are referred to as the "Five Pillars."

To learn more about Islam or to visit the Idris Mosque (located in Northgate), please click this link.

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