Muslim Mosque and their beliefs

Saturday, September 29
After breakfast we went to the Cairo Citadel. Inside the Citadel is the Muhammad Ali Mosque built to Saladin. We were asked to take our shoes off before entering, then sat down inside while we listened to the guide explain some of the Muslim beliefs. There are 5 “pillars” of their faith:

1. Saying by heart a phrase which means “there is only 1 God – Muhammad”

2. Praying 5 times daily. During the prayers they touch their forehead to the floor (this is why we took off our shoes so the floor will be clean for them). When they bend over to touch the floor is when they ask Muhammad for the things they need.

3. Ramadan – fasting during the day from sunrise to sundown for a whole month – usually in September. If they cannot fast because of sickness or travel, they are asked to “make it up” later by sacrificing for those in need

4. Alms giving – during the last 4 days of Ramadan they give 2½% “tithing” of their assets

5. Pilgrimmage to Mecca – they try to do this at least once in their lifetime

We boarded the bus for our drive to Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery, arriving there around 9:00 PM. Dinner was followed by Sacrament meeting, then going to sleep around 11:00 PM.