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About Islam
Islam is not a new religion but the final culmination and fulfillment of the same basic truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. A way of life symbolized by peace- peace with God, peace within oneself, and peace with the creations of God through submission to God and committement to his guidance.
Who are Muslims?
Over a billion people from all races, nationalities and cultures across the globe are Muslim - from the rice farms of Indonesia to the deserts in the heart of Africa; from the skyscrapers of New York to the Bedouin tents in Arabia. Only 18% of Muslims live in the Arab world; a fifth are found in Sub-Saharan Africa; and the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia. Substantial parts of Asia are Muslim, while significant minorities live in India, China, Russia, North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe.
What do Muslims believe?
Muslims believe in the One, Unique, Incomparable, Merciful God - the Sole Creator and Sustainer of the Universe; in the Angels created by Him; in the Prophets through whom His revelations were brought to humankind; in the Day of Judgement and in individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over destiny, be it good or bad; and in life after death. Muslims believe that God sent His messengers and prophets to all people and God's final message to humanity, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing up of all that had gone before, was revealed to the Last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Archangel Gabriel.
What is the Qur'an
The Qur'an is a complete record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. The Qur'an is the principal source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all subjects that concern us as human beings -- wisdom, doctrine, worship and law -- but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time the Qur'an provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and equitable economic principles. Apart from the Qur'an, Muslims also refer to the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a secondary source of guidance. Believe in the sunnah, the practice and example of the Prophet, is an integral part of the Islamic faith.
How does Islam gurantee Human Rights and Equality?
The Qur'an prescribes freedom of conscience: "There is no culpulsion in religion. Truth stands our clearly from falsehood; whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the strongest rope that never breaks. And God is All-Hearing and All-Knowing." (Qur'an 2:256)
The life, honor and property of all citizend in a Muslim society are considered sacred whether the person is Muslim or not. Racism, sexism and other forms fo bigotry and prejudice are imcomprehensible to Muslims, for the Qur'an speaks of human equality in the following terms: "O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware." (Qur'an 49:13)