Source : Darul Fatwa / 25 Apr 2014

There are five (5) prayers which must be performed by the Muslims and are called “obligatory” prayers. They are Dhuhr (Noon) prayer, ^Asr (afternoon) prayer, Maghrib (sunset) prayer, ^Ishaa' (Nightfall) prayer and Fajr (Dawn) prayer. It is a great sin to neglect performing any of these obligatory prayers. Among the merits of performing the obligatory prayers is that one’s small sins, which may be committed between prayers, are forgiven. The Prophet , may Allah raise his rank, said what means:

Source : Khaleej Times / 25 Apr 2014

The son of former far-right Dutch leader Arnoud Van Doorn, who converted to Islam last year, has joined his father in also professing his faith in the religion of Islam.

The Khaleej Times reported on Monday that Iskander Van Doorn had made his declaration of faith along with 37 others at a Dubai International Peace Convention.

The name of the religion is Islam, which comes from an Arabic root word meaning "peace" and "submission." Islam teaches that one can only find peace in one's life by submitting to Almighty God (Allah) in heart, soul and deed. The same Arabic root word gives us "Salaam alaykum," ("Peace be with you"), the universal Muslim greeting.

In The Name of Allah (God), Most Gracious, Most Merciful

...This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam ( those who submit to God ) as your religion...( Holy Qur'an, 5:3)

The Roman Catholic religion is dictated by the Pope from the top down to the priests at the bottom. If a Muslim were to walk into a Catholic church, it would be like walking into a different world. He would find row upon row of pews in which the worshipers sit, stained glass windows with perhaps scenes of the last supper or the Messiah carrying a cross, etc. On the front wall in all churches is the Messiah on a cross and below is an altar where the priest delivers his Sunday sermon. In some older churches, you may even find magnificent statue figures of Jesus, saints, Mary the mother of Jesus and so on. Church services are mainly repetitive rituals, singing, and prayers to Jesus or Mary or God and sometimes to saints. This is the type of world in which I lived and grew up most of my life.

Source : IINA / 22 Mar 2014

For rugby's original wild child Sonny Bill Williams, meeting a Tunisian family who lived with their five children in a one-bedroom flat in the south of France proved pivotal to his conversion to Islam, according to a report carried by CNN news channel.

By C. Mofty / New muslims / 14 Mar 2014

First Things to Know

One of the most useful advice, in the opinion of this author, is that a new Muslim should take Islam one piece at a time. It is a total way of life that needs time to adjust. It can take years to leave many non-Islamic behaviors, but sticking to Islam brings happiness in this life and in the one to come. Therefore, allow yourself time to grow as a Muslim and practice what you learn.

Source : World Bulletin / 04 Mar 2014

Arnoud van Doorn, a former far-right Dutch politician who later accepted Islam and became a Muslim, has announced his plans to launch a new Islamic party in his native Holland.

The Islamic Party for Unity will be contending for three seats in the upcoming municipal elections on March 19.

Source : World Bulletin / 15 Feb 2014

Although Catholicism has been the dominant religion in Mexico for five centuries, the number of Catholics had fallen to 82.7 percent, from 96.7 in 1970, according to the Pew Research Center.

Most of this change is attributed to growth in other Christian denominations. Evangelicals, Protestants and Jehovah's Witnesses now account for 8 percent of Mexicans who identify with a religion.

Source : Saudi Gazette / 13 Feb 2014

Six employees of Arabian Oud, the largest fragrance retailer in the world, embraced Islam and pronounced the "testimony of faith" in the presence of Sheikh Muhammad Bin Abdulrahman Alarifi, the company said in a statement.

The reverts said they decided to change their faith with full conviction after attending religious awareness programs held by the company.

Source : New Muslims / 12 Feb 2014

No other religion or institution gives as much importance to knowledge as the religion of Islam.  The religion has made seeking knowledge incumbent upon all Muslims and has deemed that not doing so as a sin.  The Prophet, may Allah praise him, said in an authentic narration (hadeeth):

“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Al-Tirmidhi)