Religion field trip

Alhuda Islamic center was very interesting to me because when we walked in we had to remove our shoes. We spoke with Dr. Rasheed and he explained that the Muslims must do so to pray because they place their heads on the floor to prove the upmost humility to Allah. The women of this religion must cover up everything except their hands and their face. The month of september they have Ramadan. It's where they fast which means they can't eat, drink, or have sexual relations from sun-up to sun down. They use the lunar calender to determine when they will have ramadan. The muslims are required to pray five times a day as well as they have to face in the direction in Mecca. The religion of the Islamic has the five pillars which include The belief in one god, Giving charity to the pool, fasting during ramadan, praying five times a day, and visiting Mecca at least once in their life. The muslims study the Qur'an which is written in arabic.

At the congergation of children of israel we spoke with Rabbi Gerson. The jewish worship in the synagogue and the men usually sit seperate than the women. Their holy book is the Torah and it's not only read and written in Hebrew but it is written fromright to left. They celebrate Rosh Hashannah which is the Jewish new year. Hannukah is celebrated around christmas. It has nothing to do with jesus or christmas but it is kinda their way of giving and getting gifts. It lasts for eight days and it is affiliated with a battle that was won. They also have a holiday or celebration for the rememberence of the holocaust and to pay their respects to the jews that were executed by the Natzi party led by Hilter. The jewish have a ritual that when someone passes away they have to stay at home for seven days and cover up all the mirrors because they aren't supposed to look at themselves when in mourning. They have worship and prayer gatherings in the home during the seven days. They can't go to any partys or gatherings for thirty days.

At S. Joesephs catholic church we spoke with Decon Grutsch and he explained the thirteen stations of jesus's life. The plaques were hung on the wall in order. When the catholics enter the church they have to touch the holy water. They must kneal when they pray. They believe that the spirit of christ is present with them. They ask prayer from people that have passed or ask a friend to pray for them. They hold babtisims in the catholixc church. I thought the building was absolutley beautiful. It's much different looking than a christian church but in alot of ways they are the same.