More than one billion people in the world believe and practice Islam. It is not a new religion but because of terrorist attacks against the United States, it has recently attracted the world's attention.

Osama Bin Laden is called a Muslim extremist. However most Muslims do not want people to associate them with extremists such as him.

"Most Muslims are like you and me," said Brian Hauglid, assistant professor of ancient scripture. "They work and go to school and are very family-oriented people."

"We wouldn't want Mormonism to be defined by an apostate any more than Muslims want their religion defined by some radical like Osama Bin Laden," he said.

Muslims accept and practice the Five Pillars of Islam, upon which most of their beliefs are based.

First is the witness. Muslims are not baptized into the religion, but they repeat a declaration called the Shahada, or testimony or witness. In this declaration Muslins repeat there is no other god but the One God and Muhammad is his messenger and prophet.

"It is a statement usually repeated in Arabic in the presence of other Muslims," Hauglid said. "It is a creedal statement."

Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall. Male Muslims must pray in a mosque Friday afternoons, and while it is not mandatory for females, they may also. Muslims can pray in a mosque or anywhere else at other times of the week.

Muslim students on campus meet every Friday at 1:30 in the Wilkinson Center said Shadi Qawasmi, a senior from Jerusalem, Palestine.

"Anyone can come to watch, but the women must dress modestly and cover their heads with a scarf," he said.

Like Latter-day Saints, Muslims are required to give something similar to tithing called the Zakat, or alms-tax. Hauglid said Muslims also look for opportunities to be charitable.

Another Pillar of Islam is the fast each year. This occurs during Ramadan, which is in November this year. During this time Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sundown. They also restrain themselves from sexual relations.

The last Pillar of Islam is the annual pilgrimage or Hajj to Mecca. There are certain requirements for this journey.

"You have to be financially independent with no debt, spiritually ready and be an adult," Qawasmi said.

Another aspect of Islam is the dress that sets them apart from others. Women and men are both required to cover themselves.

"We believe that revealing flesh or sensitive parts of the body is a great motive and great urge for sin for both men and women," Qawasmi said.

He learned about BYU because his family was involved with the BYU Jerusalem Center. He said he liked the high standards and Honor Code.

"It is not hard for a Muslim to live in a Mormon community," he said. "Muslims don't drink alcohol, Muslims definitely condemn premarital sexual relationships and smoking is not a preferred thing to do."

Because of these reasons, Qawasmi said he wants to stay here.

"I come from a pretty conservative society, and so I feel like nothing changed when I came here and that is why I feel comfortable being here because it is kind of similar to where I am from," he said.



Copyright Brigham Young University 2 Apr 2004