Who Are the Muslims?
Muslims are followers of Islam, a monotheistic faith founded in the 7th century CE in Arabia through the Prophet Muhammad. Today, there are approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide — about 25% of the global population.
Diversity of the Muslim World
Muslims come from every nation, ethnicity, and background. The largest Muslim populations are in Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria — not the Middle East. The Muslim world is extraordinarily diverse in culture, language, and practice.
The Five Pillars of Islam
- Shahada — Declaration of faith
- Salah — Five daily prayers
- Zakat — Obligatory charity
- Sawm — Fasting during Ramadan
- Hajj — Pilgrimage to Mecca (once in a lifetime)