Facts about Islam

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There are two main celebrations in Islam:

Ramadan -- Begins Sunday or Monday, depending on the sighting of the new moon and lasts for about 30 days. It moves up in the Gregorian calendar about 15 days each year, so next year the observation begins in August.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunup to sundown, often gather at the mosque to break their fasts each day, perform extra prayers at night, read the Koran and focus on Allah more, and increase their giving to the poor. The goal is a higher spiritual state.

Fasting is one of the "five pillars of Islam" -- basic tenants of the faith. It is mandatory, except for those who cannot do so for health reasons.

Hajj (pilgrimage) -- Seventy days after Ramadan, about 2 million Muslims ascend annually to Mount Arafat in the holy city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim is required -- if their finances permit -- to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. It's another of the five pillars.

This is when Muslims observe the story of Abraham going up on a mountain to sacrifice a son, but unlike the biblical story, this is about Abraham and his first son (Ishmael) born to Sarah's maidservant. In this story, Abraham has a dream about sacrificing Ishmael, but sees a ram as a substitute sacrifice and God tells him that he has passed the test.

The four-day celebration includes sacrificing an animal according to Islamic rules, usually in Stockton or Livingston. According to the requirements, the name of God (Allah) must be mentioned when the animal is killed by cutting its throat; it's unlawful to scare the animal or show it the knife or kill one animal in front of another.

If a lamb is sacrificed, it must be at least 6 months old, healthy and perfectly formed -- can't have a cut in its ear or missing a leg, for example. A goat must be at least 1 year old and a cow must be at least 3 years old.

The three other pillars are:

Shahada (testimony of faith) -- The most important pillar of Islam. To perform the testimony of faith, one is required to say with conviction at least once in his or her life: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."

Salat (prayer) -- Muslims pray five times daily: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and night. Prayer often occurs in a mosque, but Muslims may pray anywhere -- inside or outside, in their office, home, school or elsewhere. While praying, one faces Mecca and strives to recite his or her prayers from memory. Ideally, salat are recited in Arabic.

Zakat (almsgiving) -- Charitable giving is a requirement of faith for all Muslims. Zakat, which benefits the poor, represents a fixed portion of one's wealth and assets. Beyond this requirement, one may perform an act of charity (sadaqah) by donating additional funds to the needy.

Source: Imam Ahmad Kayello and www.holidays.net/ramadan/pillars.htm