A Quick Look At...Algeria

• Population – 35,406,303
• Religion – Islam: 99%, Christian & Jewish: 1%
• Government—Republic
• Size - a little less than 3.5 times the size of Texas 

Places to visit in Algeria

• Algiers - Notre Dame d'Afrique, the largest cathedral in Africa
• Le Jardin d'Essai du Hamma - Gardens
• Le Bastion 23 - Palais des Rais, a palace

*Images are from the CIA World Factbook

A Quick Look At...Morocco

• Population – 34,139,792
• Religion – Islam: 98.7%, Christian: 1.1%, Jewish: 0.2%
• Government—Constitutional Monarchy
• Size - slightly larger than California

Places to Visit in Morocco:

• Fez - Cultural Capital
• Marrekech - Tourist Area
• Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque, third largest mosque in the world

**images and facts from the CIA world factbook

The Countries of North Africa - Overview

When most people think of "Africa," they think of safaris, malaria, grubs, lions, zebras and giraffes. There is a section of Africa that is more Middle Eastern than typically African. It's the Northern section. This little thing called the Sahara Desert separates what we typically think of Africa and the northern, more Middle Eastern Africa. It's full of ancient history (Egypt, for instance - yes, African country) . People define the section called "North Africa" differently, but I want to share a few things about the countries of North Africa in the next few blog posts. Did you realize Egypt was an African country? Is it surprising that these countries are more "Middle Eastern" than "African?"

                                            

•  North Africa is 2,400 miles across (the US is about 3,000 miles across)
• Population: approx. 168 Million
• Mediterranean Sea to the North
• Sahara Desert is to the South
• Atlantic Ocean is the Western Boundary
• Red Sea is the Eastern Boundary
• Climate: summers are hot and dry, winters are mild and rainy

Understanding Islam - The Five Pillars

This is going to be very basic stuff. If you already know this, great. If you don't, great. Sometimes it's easy to get so in depth in subjects we forget to take a step back and get the overall picture.

Islam's holy book is the Qur'an (Koran). In it, we find the basis of the five pillars.

1. The shahada (Islamic creed) - what one must say and believe to become a Muslim
2. Prayer (daily) - performed 5 times per day, at scheduled times throughout the day
3. Almsgiving - believed to be purifying
4. Fasting (during Ramadan)
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca - at least once in a lifetime

***BONUS FEATURE***

Islam = name of the religion

Muslim = person who follows the religion of Islam

(just in case you didn't realize the difference)

Healthy Attitudes Toward Muslims

I have been reading a book entitled Engaging Islam by Georges Houssney.  One part I thought might be helpful to share to other Christians.

Ways to have healthy attitudes toward Muslims:

1 - We must see Muslims as individuals and distinguish between Islam as a system and Muslims as people.
2 - We must recognize both the good and bad in Islam and Muslims.
3 - We must love Muslims while hating the lies that keep them in captivity.
4 - We must see the lostness of Muslims with a heart of compassion not contempt.
5 - We must be innocent as doves and wise as serpents.






*just to make sure I must include a disclaimer. Books I mention on this blog I may or may not agree with fully. There is always something to learn: good or bad. Eat the fish and spit out the bones. 

Understanding Islam

One thing that incites fear is the unknown. I truly believe that one reason Christians fear Muslims is because they don't know about Islam, and they don't know any Muslim people. In an effort to help dissipate the fear, I will be writing a few posts about understanding Islam. If we as Christians can understand at least a few things about what they believe, maybe it will give us a greater compassion. Stayed tuned to the next post about having a healthy attitude towards Muslims. 

Ramadan - Celebration

Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr literally means "the breaking of the fast" and is the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Remember, Ramadan is the name of the month (like October). The celebration occurs on the first day of the 10th month, Shawwal. There are special prayers, charity given to the poor, new clothes, and visits with friends and family. Some places celebrate for several days.

This year, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated around August 19th (remember it is the Islamic lunar calendar dates, not the Gregorian calendar dates, so the date switches each year).

I would think it's always a celebration to end a fast. But what are they celebrating? Do they get to celebrate the fact their sins (past, present, and future) have been paid for on the cross? No. Do they get to celebrate a risen Savior? No. Do they get to celebrate assurance of salvation? No.

This may be a time of celebration, but it is short-lived. Muslim people do not understand being set free from sin, having a home in Heaven, or a loving Savior. I hope you will pray with me for Muslims to come to Christ, so they can have something to truly celebrate.