ISLAM: Practices, Diet and Attire
Friday is the primary prayer day, and many Muslims close their businesses in the afternoon to attend prayer services at a mosque. Thursdays are also important days for prayer and, for certain Muslims, for fasting. Shi’a Muslims from India or Pakistan in particular attend evening services and may fast on Thursdays. Islamic prayer is an elaborate set of speech and movements, all of which are delineated in the scriptures. The main prayers and practices of Islam are best summarized through what Muhammad called the Five Pillars of Islam. It’s preferable for Muslims to perform their ritual prayers in a mosque. But if this opportunity is not afforded them, they may pray anywhere, facing Mecca, often using a prayer rug. Muslims may carry a prayer rug with them or substitute a towel or even a newspaper if a rug is unavailable. They must also ritually cleanse themselves before beginning their prayer. Many Muslims prefer to pray in a room with no images. They may, for example, wish to turn pictures facedown temporarily if engaging in prayer.