1. Rituals, actions and beliefs that demonstrate how a person belongs to a faith community – dress, worshipThe offering of praise and reverence to God via a religious service, moral codes, behavioural expectations.

2. The means by which these actions and beliefs can be expressed.

3. What it means to belong for the individual and the community.

4. The difference that it makes to an individual and the community to belong.

Without doubt the five daily prayersExtempore and set conversations with God (salahAn Arabic word referring to Islamic prayers ) is the most important ritual in IslamLiterally submission to God; one of the three great monotheistic Abrahamic religions which must be performed under any circumstance. Muslims will be seen praying in public places, at their work place and even on airplanes for instance. The prayers can also be performed every day in congregationA group of people in a place of worship at the mosqueA Muslim place of worship, literally place of prostration (or any place where there is a person leading the prayers and there are others following). Charity (sadaqahAn Arabic word referring to Islamic charity) is vital in Islamic communities; Islam expects Muslims to be generous towards others. Through charity, communities raise money for different projects such as Iftars (food for breaking the fast) for poor families and running a 'Sunday school' (madrassahAn Islamic Sunday school). A Muslim is expected to keep close ties with his family and the community. Greeting (taslam: al-salam 'alaykum, reply 'alaykum al-salam) each other is very important in Islam. In effect the person who initiates the greeting is said to merit 99 rewards (hasanat) whereas the person who replies only merits one; this is to encourage people to greet each other but it also stresses the importance of not breaking ties. There is also great reward in visiting the elderly and the sick, helping the needy, attending social gatherings such as weddings and funerals and visiting the cemetery. All this is part of belonging and contributing to a community. Islam forbids all kinds of intoxicants; a Muslim cannot consume, transact with, or even sit in the company of people who are consuming alcohol. As far as dress is concerned there is no particular way a Muslim must dress. The key requirement is modesty and dignity as the Qur'anThe sacred text of Islam and believed by Muslims to be the word of God revealed to the Prophet commands both men and women to 'lower their gaze and be modest'. The only outward expression of Islamic dress is the covering of the woman (hijabA covering worn by some Muslim women); however the way it is worn can vary greatly from one culture to another. Men are encouraged to keep a beard.

Islam begins at home with the children being taught Islamic values and way of life from a very young age. This way of life extends into the community with the family attending congregational prayers, 'Sunday school', 'Id celebrations and other social events. Pilgrimage to MakkahThe holy city of Islam to be found on the Arabian peninsular, as well as shrines of Imams and saints, further establishes even a greater sense of belonging.

Belonging is crucial in Islam as seen through the concept of the ummahIn Islam, belonging to the wider community. It is highly recommended that a person lives near a Muslim community as it can serve as a support for the person and a reminder of one's duties to GodWord used to describe a personal transcendent Being. Islam in its totality is based on unity. Firstly, unity (tawhidIn Islam referring to unity) is recognising that God is One. But unity extends to every other aspect of the religion for example the Islamic rituals such as hajjIslamic pilgrimage which is probably the greatest symbol of unity where people of all ages, colour and status perform the same act at the same time in the same way submitting themselves completely to the One God. Hence for Muslims, belonging and being a unit is part of their faith. The Qur'an calls upon Muslim:

And hold fast, all together, by the rope which AllahThe Arabic name for God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves […] (Surah 3:103)

Islam is an inclusive religion. It stresses equality of all human beings where there cannot be a people superior to another. The differences people share are only there to learn from each other as the Qur'an says:

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). (Surah 49:13)

Islam views the human being as a social being and discourages one to isolate himself from society as it is working together that a society and its individuals can evolve and progress. Belonging to a community can strengthen a person's faith by encouraging him or reminding him to carry out his religious duties and hence helping him progress in his spiritualA word with many religious connotations, often used to describe a multiplicity of phenomena that would include inner, reflective or emotional experiences, and those aspects of life that give it meaning and depth or which are profoundly moving or aesthetic. journey.

Websites

http://pof.reonline.org.uk/islam.php

http://www.al-islam.org

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/ (useful Qur'an search engine in English)

http://www.virtuallyislamic.com (This website provides a list of Islamic websites which are regularly updated, go to 'Islamic Studies Pathways')

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