Ceremonies


 * //MUSLIM CEREMONIES//**

There are many ceremonies that are celebrated as part of being a Muslim. Muslim ceremonies are an important part of Islam and are not just celebrations, but a form of worship. Some of the ceremonies inlcude marriages, the celebrations of 'Id Al-Fitr and 'Id Al-Adha, the Salat and children's ceremonies. Islam has become one of the fastest growing religions in the world and ceremonies play an important role.
 * __Introduction__**

__**Muslim Wedding**__  The Muslim wedding consists of nine different rituals. The first ceremony is called the Mehndi. The Mehndi is held at the bride’s home and can be done on the eve of the wedding ceremony or a few days prior. The sisters and friends of the bride rub turmeric paste onto the bride which is suppose to bring out the glow on her skin. After that, a relative puts mehndi onto the hands and feet of the bride. The bride must stay home until the marriage takes place. Second, the Baraat part of the wedding takes place. The Baraat is when the groom comes into the venue while musicians play songs. The groom shares a sweet drink with the bride’s brother and the cousins of the bride play jokes on the groom and his family. Third, is the Nikaah which is the official wedding ceremony. A priest presides over the ceremony and the bride and groom sit separately. The priest recites verses from the Quran and the ceremony is complete after the proposal and acceptance from the bride and groom. Furthermore, the older members of the families agree upon a nuptial gift. This gift is money given to the bride from the groom’s family. The fourth ritual is the blessing of the groom where he receives blessings from older women and he gives them his salaam, which means peace. Other guests pray for the new couple’s happiness. The fifth part is the dinner where the Muslim men and women eat separately. After that, the new couple can sit together for the first time. In addition, the priest says prayers and the Quran is put between the couple. The sixth ritual is the Rukshat where the bride’s family says farewell to the bride and her father asks her husband to take care of her. Seventh, is the welcoming of the bride where the groom’s mother welcomes her and holds the Quran above her head. The eighth part is the Chauthi which takes place four days after the wedding. The bride’s parents happily welcome her home for the first visit after the marriage. Finally, the Valimah occurs where the groom’s family gives a fancy reception for both families. In conclusion, Muslim weddings are very beautiful and ties two families together for life.

__**'Id Al-Fitr**__ Traditionally Muslims celebrate two major festivals 'Id Al Fitr and 'Id Al-Adha. Most Islamic holidays celebrate events in the life of the prophet Muhammad. Id Al-Fitr is the festival of breaking fast. P eoples schedules for Id Al-Fitr are in the morning everyone takes a bath, wears new or clean clothes, applies perfume, eats dates or some other sweet before walking to the mosque for Id prayers. Specifically, they go to the mosque to do the prayer called " Do Rakat Namaz." The Id-special prayer is performed in the morning in the mosque. The  Rakat Namaz is performed and these prayers can be read anytime between sunrise and just afternoon. Even women in veil attend the prayers in special chambers. Sadaqah Fitr, is a dole(a portion or allotment of money, food, etc., esp. as given at regular intervals by a charity or for maintenance) to break the fast. It is to be given to a needy person as thanksgiving. Even one who has not kept the rojas is expected to give alms. The amount to be gifted must be in excess of one's essential needs and free from all encumbrances of debt.
 * __'Id Al-Adha__**

At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (//Festival of Sacrifice//). In 2009, Eid al-Adha will begin on approximately November 27th, and will last for three days.During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands.On the first morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world attend morning prayers at their local mosques. Prayers are followed by visits with family and friends, and the exchange of greetings and gifts. At some point, members of the family will visit a local farm or otherwise will make arrangements for the slaughter of an animal. The meat is distributed during the days of the holiday or shortly thereafter. __ One very important celebration to the Muslims is something that they do everyday, five times a day. This is the Salat. It is performed five times each day: at dawn, mid-day, afternoon, sunset and evening. During the Salat they will pray toward the Ka'ba shrine in Mecca. The focal prayer is on Friday, during mid-day where many will go to a mosque to pray. Before Salat you must follow the ritual of washing your face, your hands and your feet. If you are in an area where there is no water then you must wash with sand. At five specific times a muezzin announces a call to prayer, traditionally from a mosques minaret, but it is now more common for the prayer to be announced from a loudspeaker atop the minaret, while the meuzzin is still at the bottom of the mosque. The muezzin will announce:
 * Salat** __

Arabic: English: //Allahu Akbar -God is most great Ashadu anna la ilaha illa Allah -//I bear witness there is no god but God //Ashadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah -//I bear witness Muhammad is the prophet of God //Haiya 'ala al-salat -//Come to prayer //Haiya 'ala al-falah -//Come to wellbeing //Al-salat khayrun min al-nawm -//Prayer is better than sleep //Allahu Akbar -//God is most great //La ilaha illa Allah// -There is no God but God

When the Salat is performed in a mosque worshippers are aligned in parallel rows behind the Imam (prayer leader), who directs them. During the Salat the worshippers will start standing and move into different piositions as they say certain parts of the prayer. At the end of the prayer they will stand up and go back to whatever they were cdoing. This is performed seven days a week, five times a day for a Muslims entire life.

__**Children's Ceremonies**__ A dults are not the only ones that have ceremonies in the Islamic Religion. It starts the day the baby is born. When the baby is born, the Adhan is recited into both ears of the new-born. The purpose of the ceremony is to emphasize upon Muslims that the main object of human life is to worship Alla. The parents or elders do this so the baby is aware of it as soon as the child is born. The first time food touches the baby's mouth is considered important, so an elder that is not the mother of father feeds the baby for the first time. A grandmother or grandfather might feed the baby for the first time. If the baby is not named at birth then the name must be decided on the seventh or her birth. Most parents request a holy person to name the baby, but sometimes the parents or other relatives name the child. It is common to name the child after famous leaders. All male babies celebrate another ceremony called Circumcision. It is usually preformed within the first seven days after birth. This ceremony is not just an islamic practice, it goes all the way back to the time of the profit Abraham. Another ceremony for children is the Aqeeqa. This ceremony is when an animal is sacrificed and a feast which follows. If girl is born, one animal is sacraficed, if a boy is born than two animals must be sacrificed. The animal can be a goat, sheep, lamb, cow, or camel. This is preformed 7 days after birth. If for any reason it is not preformed on the 7th day, it can be performed on the 14th or the 21st day after birth. These babies have many ceremonies to to celebrate their birth and initiate children into the Islamic Religion.

**__Conclusion__** Muslims participate in many different ceremonies which include weddings, the festivals of Id Al- Fitr and 'Id Al-Adha, the Salat and children's ceremonies. Muslim weddings include ​many different rituals that are performed over many days. Next, the two festivals of Id Al fit and 'Id Al-adha celebrate the life of the prophet Muhammad. Furthermore, there is the Salat, which is a Muslim's prayer ritual and is performed five times a day seven days a week for their entire life. Finally, there are children's ceremonies which begin at birth to worship Alla along with circumcision and the Aqeeqa. In summation, Muslim's incorporate many meaningful ceremonies into their lives.

**__SOURCES:__** [] [|http://www.iloveindia.com] [] [|www.tpub.com/content/religon/] [|www.nagpuronline.com/people/rit_mslm.htm] [|www.aislam.org/library/books/muslimfestivalsceremonie.pdf] [|www.baby-pictures.org] [|www.atwar.blogs.nytimes.com] [|www.muslimmatrimony.com] [|www.timeanddate.com/ holidays/uk/eid-al-fitr]

Muslim Weddings- Michelle Diggans The Salat- Alec Haley Children Ceremonies- Julie Watson id Al- Adha, Id al fitr- Cam Smith
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