The Muslims invaded what is now Bangladesh in the 13th century, but even before that Islam had been introduced by early Arabs carrying maritime trade to the coast of Bengal.
It is hard to separate in Bangladesh the nationality, religion or culture, as almost 85 percent of the population is Muslim (predominantly Sunni). The faith of Islam is “in one God, on His book, His messengers and the day of Judgment.” The Five Pillars of Islam are the behavioral patterns, the outward steps to reach the faith. Every pillar has its own significance: “Shahada” (confession of faith): to believe in the oneness of God, His messengers, His books, His angels, in the day of judgment and in His life hereafter. “Salat” (prayer): to pray five times daily in a given interval of time is a Muslim's duty to God in expressing gratitude and awareness. Total submission to God is the denominator of all action of a Muslim. “Siyam” (fasting): to fast in the month of Ramadan is a must for Muslims. To abstain from food, drink, and all desires from dawn to dusk helps to develop patience, tolerance, will power and compassion for the hungry. “Zakat” (alms tax): to provide for the poor is the duty of the rich. The amount of 2.5 percent of one's possessions per year is what is believed needed to keep the economic system in harmony. “Hajj” (pilgrimage to Mecca): to perform a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime is a must for any Muslim who can afford it - physically and financially. Salvation is earned through the practice of the Five Pillars of Islam. There is also the concept of inescapable judgment according to one's deeds. Destiny is determined by the limited free will of man and the rest will be as Allah desires.
Islam is integrated into all facets of the Muslim's life in Bangladesh. You can see people praying during the day in places where you would expect the least, including even in front of the American Embassy entrance.
,_Dhaka,_Bangladesh_NK.JPG)
It is hard to separate in Bangladesh the nationality, religion or culture, as almost 85 percent of the population is Muslim (predominantly Sunni). The faith of Islam is “in one God, on His book, His messengers and the day of Judgment.” The Five Pillars of Islam are the behavioral patterns, the outward steps to reach the faith. Every pillar has its own significance: “Shahada” (confession of faith): to believe in the oneness of God, His messengers, His books, His angels, in the day of judgment and in His life hereafter. “Salat” (prayer): to pray five times daily in a given interval of time is a Muslim's duty to God in expressing gratitude and awareness. Total submission to God is the denominator of all action of a Muslim. “Siyam” (fasting): to fast in the month of Ramadan is a must for Muslims. To abstain from food, drink, and all desires from dawn to dusk helps to develop patience, tolerance, will power and compassion for the hungry. “Zakat” (alms tax): to provide for the poor is the duty of the rich. The amount of 2.5 percent of one's possessions per year is what is believed needed to keep the economic system in harmony. “Hajj” (pilgrimage to Mecca): to perform a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime is a must for any Muslim who can afford it - physically and financially. Salvation is earned through the practice of the Five Pillars of Islam. There is also the concept of inescapable judgment according to one's deeds. Destiny is determined by the limited free will of man and the rest will be as Allah desires.
Islam is integrated into all facets of the Muslim's life in Bangladesh. You can see people praying during the day in places where you would expect the least, including even in front of the American Embassy entrance.
,_Dhaka,_Bangladesh_NK.JPG)
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