Founded by the Prophet Mohammed in 570 AD, Islam literally means submitting to the will of god. Muslims believe that when the Prophet was meditating in a cave on Mount Hira, near Mecca, the archangel Gabriel came to him and told him that there is one God but Allah and that Mohammed should become the messenger to carry out God's will and convey God's ideas to people. When Mohammed first began to preach he had difficulty in attracting followers, and the rulers of the city attempted to silence him, as they feared his preaching contradicted and threatened their profitable kaaba-based religion. In AD 622, the Prophet with his followers fled to the town of Yathrib (later renamed Medina). This flight, called the Hijra, marks the start of the Islamic calendar.

At Medina, Mohammed declared that people should peacefully live together, rather than fighting between tribes. The words of Allah, which Mohammed passed down to the people, were compiled in a holy book called the Qur'an.

To Muslims, Islam is a way of life supported by five pillars:
    * There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His messenger
    * A prayer to Allah is to be made five times a day
    * Alms should be given to the poor at least once a year.
    * Muslims should fast between dawn and dusk during the month of Ramadan
    * Muslims should make a pilgrimage to Mecca (known as the Hajj) at least once in their lifetime

Muslims worship in mosques (masjid in Arabic/Urdu) and are called to prayer five times a day by the muezzin, at times set by the Qur'an. A Muslim religious leader is called an Imam. During prayers in the mosque, worshipers stand in a straight row behind him. Women usually pray in a separate area at the back of the mosque or just outside. Friday is the holy day for Muslims, when they gather in a mosque to offer namaz (morning prayers) and listen to a talk by the Imam. This occasion gives Muslims a chance to know each other, particularly in areas where Muslims are a minority.

Muslims are most concentrated in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the countries of North Africa and the Middle East. India ranks third behind Indonesia and Pakistan with over 150 million Muslims, though they still constitute less than 15% of the population.

Respect
Intricate calligraphy at Qutb Minar, Delhi

    * Wear clothes that cover your body well; avoid shorts or sleeveless tops.
    * Non-Muslims are not permitted in some mosques (such as those in Morocco), require permission for some (such as in Saudi Arabia), and should not enter any mosque on Fridays before noon.
    * Remove footwear before entering a mosque.
    * Do not disrespect Imams and other religous leaders.

Notable sites
Below is a list of a few of fourteen of the most notable Islamic sites in the sub-continent:
    * Badshahi Masjid in Lahore, Pakistan – built by the emperor Aurangzeb, in the same Mughal style as the Jama Masjid in Delhi which was built by his father

    * Dargah of Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer, India – this tomb of a Sufi saint is hugely popular, not just among Muslims, but Hindus and Christians alike. It's one of the largest dargahs on the sub-continent, and people travel from all over to pay homage

    * Dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi, India – one of the most famous Sufi saints of the subcontinent, he was a disciple of Moinuddin Chisti and his shrine is also revered among non-Muslims and very popular

    * Faisal Masjid in Islamabad, Pakistan – One of the largest mosques in the world, the mosque and surrounding gardens can hold around 300,000 people

    * Dargah of Salim Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri near Agra, India

    * Jama Masjid in Delhi, India – the most famous and largest mosque in India, commissioned by Shah Jahan

    * Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, India - the second largest mosque in India, built by Quli Qutub Shah

Festivals
    * Eid ul-Fitr, 1st of Shawwal. Celebrates the end of the month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from dawn till dusk. Dates are usually used to beak the fast. By far the most important date in the Islamic calendar.

    * Eid ul-Adha, 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah. This date coincides with the pilgrimage to Mecca. Commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice all that he cherished, including his own son Ismael, for Allah's sake.

    * Muharram (Ashura), 10th of Muharram. The day when Muslims remember and mourn the death of Hussain at Karbala. Devout Shias beat themselves with canes and sticks to feel Hussain's pain.