salat

The prayers that are the second of the Five Pillars of Islam, said five times a day.

The first prayer is said before dawn and the last after dusk. Times for prayer are signalled by a muezzin (caller). Prayer must be preceded by wudu (ritual washing) and may be said in any clean place, facing qiblah, the direction of Mecca. Worshippers usually stand on prayer mats, with their heads covered. The salat, which are recited in Arabic, follow a fixed series of words and movements, known as rak'ahs.

Women often pray at home, but sit separately from and behind the men when they attend the mosque. This is so that men and women are not distracted by each other during prayer. At midday on Friday Salat al-Jum'ah, community prayer at the mosque, take place.

The purpose of salat is to remind Muslims of their duties, living a life as witness to God. It is a time to set aside all the concerns of everyday life and praise and thank God. Muslims intend salat to bring them many benefits, including a reminder of rightful actions, a sense of peace, the sense of community that comes from knowing that all Muslims are performing the same actions all over the world, and putting God at the centre of their life.