Mosques in Belarus

The Muslim religion is one of the most widespread in the world. The article will tell about the history of the young religion, the most important holidays, as well as the rules of behavior for true Muslims.

History of Islam

Islam is the youngest religion with two billion followers. Muslims live in 125 countries around the world, and religion is recognized as official in 28 of them.

The name of the religion comes from the Arabic language, where Islam is obedience. The story says that the preacher of Islam was the Prophet Muhammad, and the main source is the Holy Book of the Koran. She presents the history of the creation of the world, tells about the Flood, etc.

History does not know the exact year of the origin of the religion, but connects it with the city of Mecca in Western Arabia. In the 7th century, paganism was the dominant religion, and each tribe undoubtedly worshiped its own gods. At the same time, the division of society into classes began, but the only thing that would unite all people was the spiritual component.

At the same time, Islam appeared, the main idea of which was the idea of the need to purify monotheism.

The Prophet Muhammad led a completely ordinary life, and also took an active part in the restoration of the common Arab shrine of the Kaaba by the Quraysh. In the year of his fortieth birthday, he announced that he was the messenger of the Prophet of Allah, the One God. He immediately began to preach the new religion of Islam in Mecca. He called for a return to monotheism, to say prayers and fast, give alms and honestly make trade.

But the people in power of the city of Mecca did not support the prophetic activities of Mohammed. Further, the story tells about the difficult trials that the Prophet Muhammad experienced.

But there were also those who immediately converted to Islam. The first Muslims were the family of the Prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr (a well-known merchant at that time), and another 40 forty people.

The first pilgrimage was made by the Prophet Muhammad himself. He had to move to Yathrib because of the society's rejection of the new faith. History says that now the city of Yasrib is called Madinat-un-Nabi, which means "the city of the Prophet".

The next few decades spread the faith of Islam to the Arabian Peninsula. The Prophet himself lived until 632, and by his death all the Arab tribes had already converted to Islam.

After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr became his deputy. True, as a ruler, he lingered only for 2 years, after which he died. During this time, he managed to start hostilities against Persia and Byzantium, which at that time were the most powerful empires.

The next successor was Umar ibn al-Khattab. His activities were aimed at carrying out reforms that laid the foundations of Muslim statehood.

Umar ibn al-Khattab was replaced by Osman. According to the Muslims themselves, this was the most correct and fair choice. He made an important step in the further development of Islam and the creation of the foundations of religion - during his reign, the complete canonical text of the Holy Book of the Koran was compiled.

All four of the first caliphs are considered Righteous Caliphs, and the state was named Righteous Caliphate.

The subsequent development of religion was accompanied by the opening of the first Muslim schools, legal provisions, as well as the formation of the rules of the Arabic language.

Today Islam continues to develop as a religion. Now it is not just a belief for Muslims, but a system of values. Their religion largely determines the boundaries of behavior, and affects all areas of Muslim life.

Major Muslim Holidays

In total, there are 11 main holidays in Islam, each of which is accompanied by the observance of certain traditions:

• February 18 - Night of Ragaib for Muslims - the date of the marriage of the parents of the Prophet Muhammad;

• April 13 - Ramadan - the beginning of fasting for Muslims;

• May 8 - Night of Power and Predestination;

• May 13 - Breaking fast;

• July 19 - Day of Araf;

• July 20 - Kurban Bayram;

• July 21 - Days of At-Tashrik;

• August 10 - Hijri New Year;

• August 19 - the day of remembrance of the prophets of the messengers of Allah;

• September 8 - The beginning of the month of Safar;

• October 19 - the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

Main Muslim traditions

Usually, on holy days, Muslims perform special ritual prayers, read the Koran and prayers, try to please relatives, give gifts, and try not to offend anyone in any way.

But there are also daily traditions that are familiar to all Muslims. Among them:

• Mention of Allah before every meal;

• Have breakfast / lunch / dinner with your right hand only;

• Greeting is carried out by pronouncing the phrase "Assalam alaykum" and the answer to it is "Waaleikum assalam";

• The birth of a child is accompanied by the reading of the "adhan";

• Shaving underarm and pubic hair, as well as nail trimming and circumcision is important;

• Muslim public and private toilets are equipped with a bidet. every time after visiting the restroom, Muslims are washed away;

• Elimination of sexual intercourse with a woman during menstruation and recovery after childbirth.

Muslim population in Belarus

In Belarus, freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution of the country. The number of believers in the republic is increasing every year, as well as the number of churches.

There is a Muslim religious community in Belarus that controls the growth of believers, the opening of new mosques and the maintenance of the functioning of old ones, and also deals with other issues of the development of the religion of Islam.

Mosques in Belarus

Muslim mosques began to appear on the territory of Belarus in the 14th century. Many of them were destroyed during the Second World War, and by the end, there were 13 mosques left.

Until 2000, a mosque was opened in Slonim, Smilovichi, Novogrudok and Ivye.

By mid-2002, there were 27 Muslim communities in Belarus. And in 2016, the Cathedral Mosque was restored in Minsk, the opening of which had been sought since the reign of Stalin.

Rules for visiting mosques

Mosques are a ritually clean space, the rules of conduct in which presuppose respect for the Muslim religion. We have collected a few requirements that should be observed when visiting mosques.

• Do not enter the mosque during prayer hours.

• Dress as modestly as possible (try not to expose your upper and lower body).

• Do not forget to take your scarf with you.

• Take off your shoes at the entrance to the mosque.

• Never start eating / drinking in the mosque.

• Switch off your mobile phone.

• When taking photographs, be sure not to include people who are bathing.