Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Islam
Islam's Origins
Abdul Qasim Mohammed ibn Abdullah ibn Abdal-Muttalib ibn Hashim (the Prophet Mo-
hammed) was born in 570. Mohammed's family belonged to the Quraysh tribe, a trading
family with links to Syria and Yemen. By the age of six, Mohammed's parents had both
died and he came into the care of his grandfather, the custodian of the Kaaba in Mecca in
Saudi Arabia.
At the age of 40, in 610, the Prophet Mohammed retreated into the desert and began to
receive divine revelations from Allah via the voice of the archangel Gabriel; the revelations
would continue throughout Mohammed's life. Three years later, Mohammed began impart-
ing Allah's message to Meccans. He called on Meccans to turn away from pagan worship
and submit to Allah, the one true god.
As such, Islam provided a simpler alternative to the established faiths, which had be-
come complicated by hierarchical orders, sects and complex rituals, offering instead a dir-
ect relationship with God based only on the believer's submission to God (Islam means
'submission'). Not surprisingly, the Prophet's message and movement appealed especially
to the poorer, disenfranchised sections of society.
TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS IN ISLAMIC AREAS
When you visit a mosque, take off your shoes; women should cover their heads and shoulders with scarves. In
some mosques, women are not allowed to enter if prayers are in progress or if the imam (prayer leader) is present;
in others, there may be separate entrances for men and women. In others still, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter
at all.
If you've hired a guide or taxi driver for the day, remember that he'll want to say his prayers at the right times,
so look out for signs that he wants a few moments off, particularly around noon, late afternoon and sunset. Travel-
lers on buses and bush taxis should also be prepared for prayer stops at these times.
Despite the Islamic proscription against alcohol, some Muslims may enjoy a quiet drink. Even so, it's impolite to
drink alcohol in their presence unless they show approval.
During Islamic holidays, shops and offices may close. Even if the offices are officially open, during the Ra-
madan period of fasting, people become soporific (especially when Ramadan falls in the hot season) and very little
gets done.
The Spread of Islam
When Mohammed died in 632, the Arab tribes spread quickly across the Middle East, in
very little time conquering what now constitutes Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Israel
