Archive → July, 2010
More about the Meaning of Muslim World
Muslim history involves the history of the Islamic faith as a religion and as a social institution. The history of Islam began in Arabia with the Islamic prophet Muhammad’s first recitations of the Qur’an in the 7th century. Under the Rashidun and Umayyads, the Caliphate grew rapidly geographically expansion of Muslim power well beyond the Arabian peninsula in the form of a vast Muslim Empire with an area of influence that stretched from northwest India, across Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, southern Italy, and the Iberian Peninsula, to the Pyrenees.
During much of the 20th century, the Islamic identity and the dominance of Islam on political issues have arguably increased during the early 21st century. The fast-growing Western interests in Islamic regions, international conflicts and globalization have changed the influence of Islam on the world in contemporary history.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_world
See also: Idul Fitri, Hamper Hari Raya, Hari Raya Hampers
Muslim World – The Definition of Term
The term Muslim world (or Islamic world) has several meanings. In a cultural sense, it refers to the worldwide community of Muslims, adherents of Islam. This community numbers about 1.57 billion people, roughly one-fifth of the world population. This community is spread across many different nations and ethnic groups connected by religion and a shared sense of humanity. In a historical or geopolitical sense, the term usually refers collectively to Muslim majority countries or countries in which Islam dominates politically.
The worldwide Muslim community is also known collectively as the ummah (Arabic: الأمة, al-’ummah). Islam emphasizes unity and defense of fellow Muslims, although many divisions of Islam (see Sunni-Shia relations, for example) exist. In the past both Pan-Islamism and nationalist currents have influenced the status of the Muslim world.
Current reports from various sources have estimated that 1.2 to 1.57 billion Muslims populate the world, or about 25% of an estimated 2010 world population of 6.8 billion with 80% in Asia (20% in the Middle East ) and 20% of Muslims living in North Africa. Muslims in non-Asian countries account for a minority of total Muslim populations and they are mostly of Asian origin; from South Asia, Central Asia and Middle-east. Also more than half of the Muslim population of the world including those from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and some from Central Asia(Afghanistan) are Hindu converts. Almost all of them were converted by heavy preaching and service; and not by force. For example the kings of Bangladesh and Indonesia were largely Hindus who started practicing syncretic mix of Islam and Hinduism. Interestingly studies, research and development of Indo-Islamic nature have been very limited compared to the vast population of the Muslims of Indo-Islamic background.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_world
See also: Lebaran, Hari Raya, Ramadan Gift
A Meaning of Iftar
Iftar (Arabic: إفطار) is the meal for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan is eaten immediately after sunset.
During Ramadan, Muslims eat and drink anything between dawn (well before sunrise) to sunset. Before the fast begins, often a meal consumed sahoor called. Then follows the morning Fajr prayer. Fasting according to tradition was broken by Muhammad after sundown with an odd number of dates and a glass of milk.
Many Muslims follow this example. Then the evening prayer maghrib prayers and eats it called iftar. The order in which this happens and what they eat are cultural differences.
This iftar is in North Africa harira, a thick soup of chickpeas eg, lamb, onions and lentils. On the Arabian Peninsula eat and drink one coffee dates. In Turkey, olives are eaten and tea, while in India, fresh milk and fruit drinks partakes.
Breaking the fast is announced in several ways. For example, Indonesia is the beduk tumbled in Pakistan and sound special iftar call.
From sunset to visit family and friends and eat together. The generally very sweet pastries are used to restore energy. The meals sometimes stretch out over hours, because an empty stomach because food should not be rushed.
In the Netherlands the iftar by several mosques and organizations used to bring together Muslims, but also to non-Muslims to invite to participate in this joint dis.
Source: http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iftar
See Also: idul fitri, hamper hari raya, hari raya hampers
