Islam is a complex religion misunderstood by most non-Muslims. After the 9/11 attacks in the United States, there was a great demand for information about Islam. Almost three years on now, there is still a large amount of misinformation around about Islam. This page will offer some basic information about Islam as well as links to sites that offer more information.

Islam means submission, and a Muslim is one who submits. This Islam is an act of submission or surrender to God. Muslims are required to pray, or offer salat, five times a day. The act of praying is done in the direction of Mecca. God is referred to in Islam as Allah which means God or the God in Arabic.

Islam begain in the 7th century of the current era and rapidly spread throughout the Middle East region. Islam came to Java in the late 1400s and 1500s. At this time, Hindus began to leave Java for Bali. More later...

About Ramadhan:

We have just entered the month of Ramadhan, the fasting month. Muslims all over the world spend the month of Ramadhan fasting from dawn until dusk. They give up sexual relations, drinking, eating, and smoking. Muslims are expected also to control their relations with other people and not get angry, avoid immoral behavior, not swear, and show compassion to everyone. Fasting during Ramadhan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The other four are making the haj pilgrimage to Kaaba, praying five times a day, giving zaakat to the poor, and making the Announcement of Faith.

Muslims awake well before dawn to eat their morning meal which is known as sahur. They then fast until dusk at which time the open their fast with a meal known as iftar. All healthy adults and children from the age of 12 or 13 are expected to fast. Ramadhan occurs during the 9th month of the Islamic calendar which is lunar-based. It lasts for the entire month culminating in the holiday of Eidul-Fitr (Idul Fitri in Indonesian). On Eid, all Muslims congregate to pray, usually in a large field in Indonesia. Afterwards, they return home to visit neighbors and eat. Children traditionally receive presents on Eidul-Fitr, and everyone wears their best clothes. In Indonesia, their is a mass movement of the Muslim population as people return home for the holiday.

The month of Ramadhan was the month in which the Quran, the Muslim Holy Book, began to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The purpose of fasting during Ramadhan is to gain self-control over human needs and impulses and to remember Allah (God).

 A Closer Look - The Arts of Islam, is a site that I just came across. More on this site as I get a chance to check it out.

 Exploring Ancient World Cultures: Early Islam, is another site that I just came across. More on this site as I get a chance to check it out.

 Islam: A Worldwide Religion and Its Impact in Southeast Asia, is an excellent introduction to Islam and its arrival in Southeast Asia. Good for Middle School students.

 Islam in Comparative Context: Online Resources, is yet another site that I just came across. More on this site as I get a chance to check it out.

 Islam Online, has a cyber counseling program, news section, and many other features for the Muslim and the non-Muslim seeking to learn more about Islam.

 Islam Page - Islam, Muslims, Allah, Muhammad, Salvation, Jesus, is an excellent source of information for the non-Muslim who wishes to learn more about Islam. This site also has a wealth of information for the Muslim who has specific questions. There are translations of the Holy Qur'an in Swahili, Dutch, Indonesian, German, Thai, Urdu, Japanese and more. There are links about the fundamental beliefs in Islam, the Hadith, prayer, Ramadan, Haj, life after death, signs of the judgement day, women family and marriage. Check this site out - it could takes months to go through all the links here.

 Islamic Dictionary, is an excellent little site that offers a variety of things: greeting cards, free email, answers to questions on jurisprudence, faith, art, Islamic history, the Holy Qur'an . This site uses Malay, Indonesian, and English. If you are a Muslim this is an excellent site; if you are a non-Muslim, you can learn some about Islam from this site although it is not the best site for people inquiring about Islam.

 Islamic Knowledge - Islamic Information Page - Free Resources, is a page with links to many downloads about Islam - for those new to the religion, for those seeking information, and for those Muslims who want computer resources about Islam.

 IslamiCity.com - Islam & the Global eCommunity, is another excellent site on Islam. It has all of the usual stuff about the Holy Qur'an, Hadith, prayer times, food, a glossary, and more. What distinguishes this site is that it carries news items, has an analysis of the news, has a discussion boards, carries items for sale and still has more. Definitely check it out.

 Liberal Islam Network, is a new organization in Indonesia that is working to develop a broad-based understanding of the progressive side of Islam.

 Progressive Muslim Union, is progressive organization of American Muslims which is dedicated to providing a forum for Muslims interested in pursuing a progressive agenda in religious, cultural, intellectual and political matters.