Over 1,000Palestinians have been killedand around 6,000 have been injured in a series of air raids on the Gaza Strip.
The strikes, the most severe to hit the region since 1967, began at around 11.30 am on December 27 2008 and casualties look set to rise due to a lack of medical capacity on the ground after recent prolonged border closures.
Dozens are still being pulled from the rubble and significant civilian casualties have been reported.
Targets across Gaza were hit, including Gaza City – where most have been reported dead – and the southern towns of Khan Younis and Rafah.
The raids came just days after a truce with Hamas came to an end. World leaders called for an immediate ceasefire but on January 3 2009 an Israeli ground offensive was launched.
Gaza’s depleted hospitals are struggling to cope with the increasing numbers of casualties. The main Al Shifa Hospital is functioning via a back-up generator and many medical staff are working 24-hour shifts.
The majority of citizens are without water, electricity or gas. Food is running out and around 80,000 are estimated to have been left homeless.
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The central creed of Islam is the first of the Five Pillars of the Faith, The Shahadah. It is the statement of faith that every Muslim makes that there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His prophet. Belief in the Oneness of Allah is at the heart of Islam.
The word Islam means ’submission’ but it is also related to the word for ‘peace’. Muslims believe that submission or obedience to Allah and his guidance will result in enjoyment of peace.
Mohammed was born in Mecca, which is in what is now called Saudi Arabia, in 571 CE. Muslims believe that Allah revealed to Mohammed, through an angel, the words which are now written in the Koran, the chief Muslim Holy Book.
Fundamental to the belief in Allah and the necessity for obedience to his will are the Five Pillars of the Faith which every Muslim is expected to do. They are:
The Shahadah
This is the Muslim declaration of faith as outlined above. To be able to make this confession is what makes one a Muslim.
Salah
Muslims have to pray five times every day, at the set times, in Arabic, on clean ground, facing Mecca. Preparation for prayer includes wudu, the ritual washing of hands, face an d feet with clean, running water. The prayers are said with ritual movements, one of which is illustrated above. Each movement is called a rakah, the series of movements ending with a full prostration.
Zakah
Muslims are expected to give one fortieth of their wealth each year to help the poor and needy. It is regarded as an act of worship.
Sawm
During the Muslim month of Ramadan, Muslims are expected to fast during daylight hours. It is intended to help Muslims remember the less fortunate and to be generous in giving.
Hajj
Every Muslim, provided there are no health or debt problems, is expected to make the official pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
127. And remember Abraham and Ismail raised the foundations of the House (with this prayer): “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” 128. “Our Lord! make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (Will); and show us our place for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Relenting, Most Merciful. 129. “Our Lord! send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in scripture and wisdom, and sanctify them: For Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” 130. And who turns away from the religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly? Him We chose and rendered pure in this world: And he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the Righteous.
Surah 22: The Pilgrimage
77. O ye who believe! bow down, prostrate yourselves, and adore your Lord; and do good; that ye may prosper. 78. And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the religion of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular prayer, give Zakat, and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector - the Best to protect and the Best to help!
135. They say: “Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (to salvation).” Say thou: “Nay! (I would rather) the Religion of Abraham the True, and he joined not gods with Allah.” 136. Say ye: “We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we submit to Allah (in Islám).” 137. So if they believe as ye believe, they are indeed on the right path; but if they turn back, it is they who are in schism; but Allah will suffice thee as against them, and He is the All- Hearing, the All-Knowing. 138. (Our religion) takes its hue from Allah. And who can give a better hue than Allah. And it is He Whom we worship. 139. Say: Will ye dispute with us about Allah, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and ye for yours; and that we are sincere (in our faith) in Him? 140. Or do ye say that Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do ye know better than Allah. Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah. But Allah is not unmindful of what ye do! 177. It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and give Zakat (regular charity); to fulfill the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God fearing. 255. Allah. There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Supporter of all. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is thee can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. For He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory). 256. Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Taghut (evil) and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. 257. Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the Taghut (evil) ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (for ever).
138. (Our religion) takes its hue from Allah. And who can give a better hue than Allah. And it is He Whom we worship. 139. Say: Will ye dispute with us about Allah, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and ye for yours; and that we are sincere (in our faith) in Him? 140. Or do ye say that Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do ye know better than Allah. Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah. But Allah is not unmindful of what ye do!
Surah 6: The Cattle
70.Leave alone those who take their religion to be mere play and amusement, and are deceived by the life of this world. But continue to admonish with it (the Qurán) lest a soul is caught in its own ruin by its own actions: it will find for itself no protector or intercessor except Allah: if it offered every ransom, (or reparation), none will be accepted: such is (the end of) those who deliver themselves to ruin by their own acts: they will have for drink (only) boiling water, and for punishment, one most grievous: for they persisted in rejecting Allah. 71. Say: “Shall we call on others besides Allah,- things that can do us neither good nor harm,- and turn on our heels after receiving guidance from Allah? - like one whom the Satans have made into a fool, wandering bewildered through the earth, his friends calling: ‘come to us’, (vainly) guiding him to the path.”Say: “Allah’s guidance is the (only) guidance, and we have been directed to submit ourselves to the Lord of the worlds;- 72. “To establish regular prayers and to fear Allah: for it is to Him that we shall be gathered together.” 73. It is He who created the heavens and the earth with true: the day He saith, “Be,” behold! it is. His Word is the Truth. His will be the dominion the day the trumpet will be blown. He knoweth the Unseen as well as that which is Open. For He is the Wise, well acquainted (with all things).
Surah 24: The Light
34. We have already sent down to you verses making things clear, an illustration from (the story of) people who passed away before you, and an admonition for those who fear (Allah). 35. Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah doth guide whom He will to His Light: Allah doth set forth Parables for men: and Allah doth know all things. 36. (Lit is such a Light) in houses, which Allah hath permitted to be raised to honor; for the celebration, in them, of His name. In them is He glorified in the mornings and in the evenings, (again and again),-
Surah 35: The Originator
29. Those who rehearse the Book of Allah, establish regular Prayer, and spend (in Charity) out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for a commerce that will never fail: 30. For He will pay them their meed, nay, He will give them (even) more out of His Bounty: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service). 31. That which We have revealed to thee of the Book is the Truth,- confirming what was (revealed) before it: for Allah is assuredly- with respect to His Servants - well acquainted and Fully Observant. 32. Then We have given the Book for inheritance to such of Our servants as We have chosen: but there are among them some who wrong their own souls; some who follow a middle course; and some who are, by Allah’s leave, foremost in good deeds; that is the highest Grace. 33. Gardens of Eternity will they enter: therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk. 34. And they will say: “Praise be to Allah, Who has removed from us (all) sorrow: for our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving Ready to appreciate (service):
136. Say ye: “We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we submit to Allah (in Islám).”
Surah 48: Victory
8. We have truly sent thee as a witness, as a bringer of Glad Tidings, and as a Warner: 9. In order that ye (O men) may believe in Allah and His Messenger, that ye may assist and honor Him, and celebrate His praise morning and evening. 10. Verily those who plight their fealty to thee plight their fealty in truth to Allah; the Hand of Allah is over their hands: then any one who violates his oath, does so to the harm of his own soul, and any one who fulfills what he has covenanted with Allah,- Allah will soon grant him a great Reward.
