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Prayer isn't limited to these five daily rituals, she says. Throughout the day, Qaddour listens to the Quran and remains connected to God through prayer.She often prays to herself,saying "Allahu Akbar," or "God is greatest." According to Mack, Muslims use this phrase to express happiness, surprise, regret, thankfulness, fear or approval, reinforcing their belief that all things come from God.
The third pillar of faith is the zakah, or the mandatory donation to charity. According to Lippman, the most common practice is to donate 2.5 percent of the amount of cash an individual holds in savings or investments annually. Regardless of the amount, the obligation of zakah is consistent with the responsibility of a Muslim to do what he or she is able to help those less fortunate. Qaddour, for example, is a member of KU UNICEF. "Being a good Muslim isn't just about praying and reading the Quran," she says.
The fast during the month of Ramadan is the fourth pillar of faith. It began in early October in 2005, but because it is set according to the lunar calendar, Ramadan occurs on different dates every year. The Islamic holiday is an annual 28-day fast in celebration of the first Quranic verses that were revealed to Muhammad. During this time, from dusk until dawn Muslims are to go without eating, smoking, drinking and, for married couples, the pleasures of the flesh, such as sexual intercourse. Fasting, Qaddour says, is a way for Muslims to cleanse themselves spiritually as well as remain mindful and compassionate
"That's what Islam brings me — peace that everything is in God's hands and there is life after death." Jomana Qaddour
towards the hungry.
At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate a holiday known as Eid al-Fitr. Similar to the Christian and secular celebration of Christmas, Muslims enjoy gifts and specially prepared foods and sweets, as well as a special congregational Eid worship at the mosque, where Muslims join together for fellowship and prayer.
dured any major hateful treatment because of her religion. But because Syria has been accused of harboring terrorists, she feels the media portrays her home country negatively. She remembers the beautiful historic sites where she felt a connection with her Islamic ancestors. These memories, she says, inspire feelings of pride and loyalty, not hostility and terror."I will never be ashamed of where I'm from," Qaddour says.
The last pillar of faith is the hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia that all Muslims are obligated to make once in their lives. It is the one event that all Islamic sects participate in. The two major sects within Islam are the Shilite and the Sunni. Mack says they differ more geographically than in beliefs. The pilgrimage is used to teach Muslims that God is merciful and just to those who obey him, and also the importance of putting off worldly concerns to commune with God. Some countries even add the word hajj, or pilgrim, to a Muslim's name who has returned from Mecca. Quaddour hopes to visit this most holy city someday.
Although her roots will always be in Syria and she enjoys visiting, Qaddour feels more at home in the United States. She says that she is used to being a minority and is comfortable
Since 9/11, Qaddour has luckily never en-
with it. Because she wears the hijab daily, curious people ask her about Islam. If anything has changed for her since 9/11, she says, it's a stronger motivation to teach people about her faith. The more people know about Islam, she says, the less it will be connected with violence and terrorism. Muslim extremists have given Islam a bad name, she says, and the violence contradicts with the fundamentals of the religion.
Qaddour explains that Islam comes from the word "salaam," which is Arabic for peace. "That's what Islam brings me," she says, "peace that everything is in God's hands and there
is life after death." Through her and other devout Muslims' actions, she hopes to show Americans that Islam is a peaceful religion. Her veil, she says, is a personal choice. But it's a choice people notice. Covering is an opportunity to break the negative stereotypes and create positive associations with Islam. "Because everything I do," Qaddour says, "is in the name of Allah."
Jomana Qaddour, left, and Asmaa Albadawi, wear a traditional hijab every day. The veil helps to preserve their modesty, an important virtue for these Muslim women.
KIT LEFFLER
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JAYPLAY 01.26.2006