The state religion is
Islam, as indicated in the constitution. The majority of the population
(95%) are Muslim. The rest of Jordan's population are Arab Christians.
Freedom of worship, opinion and association are guaranteed by the
constitution.
You are likely to hear the call to prayer (known as Athan) echoing out.
Muslims are required to pray five times a day. It is not compulsory to
go to the mosque to pray, although Muslims try to go at least on Friday.
You will see the devout unrolling small prayer rugs wherever they are,
facing the direction of Mecca.
95% of the population of Jordan are Muslims. Those include other
Non-Arab Minorities such as the Circassians and Chechen who fled to
Jordan towards the end of the 19th Century. The Rest of the population
are Arab(mainly Greek Orthodox or Catholic) and Armenian Christians.
They tend to live in Amman, Kerak, Madaba, Ajlun and Salt. About half of
the Christian community follow the Eastern Orthodox rite, headed by the
Patriarch of Jerusalem. You will hear the call to prayer five times a
day as in all Muslim countries:
at Fajr-(The dawn prayer) Thuhur (Noon); Asr (The late afternoon
prayer); Maghrib (The sunset prayer); and Isha (The night prayer). It is
rare today to have the mu'azzein himself calling from the top of the
minaret; he has been replaced by a loudspeaker and a tape recorder.
Basics of Islam:
The basis of Muslim faith stems from the early years of the 7th Century
AD when the prophet Mohammed received the word from Allah and called
upon those living around him to leave their pagan rituals and beliefs to
follow Islam. Muslims consider their God to be the same God worshipped
by Christians but disagree with the Christian divination associated with
Jesus. In Islam, Mohammed is the prophet of God, not his son. Islam
which means submission in Arabic, implies that it is the duty of the
people to submit themselves to worship and obey -Allah- The one God. The
Koran is the word of God spoken to Mohammed while he was in Mecca and
Medina during the Seventh Century. It is the holy book of all Muslims.
Essential pillars:
There are five essential pillars controlling the lives and conduct of
all Muslims. These pillars or Arkan are as follows:
1) Al Shehadatan: the confession of Faith : "I testify that there is no
God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger". This Oral declaration
springs from the monotheistic tradition and affirms the Muslim belief
that God's revelation through the prophet Mohammed is true. This
recitation is the one requirement which is absolutely obligatory for one
to be considered a Muslim.
2) Al Salah (Prayer): Muslims are enjoined to pray five times a day - at
day break, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening. Before commencing
prayer, a Muslim must be clean, decently attired, and facing Mecca.
Muslims can perform their daily prayers anywhere, and carry a prayer rug
with them.
3) Al Zakat: (Almsgiving ) The fourth pillar of Islam concerns tithing
and almsgiving. The practice of Zakat requires that Muslims give a fixed
percentage of annual income and property assets either to the poor or to
any institution that supports the Muslim Community.
4) Al-Sawm (Fasting): During the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan, Muslims
are required to Fast during daylight hours, from dawn until sunset.
During Ramadan, nothing whatsoever is to be consumed, including water.
Sexual activity are also prohibited while fasting while prayer and the
refinement of the spiritual self are encouraged. When Fast is broken at
Sunset, Ramadan assumes a festive character with families and friends
gathering for lavish feast.
5)Al Haj (Pilgrimage): The Koran commands Muslims who are physically,
mentally, and financially able to go on pilgrimage to the Ka'ba, The
Sacred Mosque in the holy city of Mecca. Performed during the last month
of the Islamic Calendar, The Haj brings Muslims from throughout the
world together to reaffirm their commonalty under God and to rededicate
themselves to Islam.
