Quick Facts

• The major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, all originated in the region.
• Islam is the largest religion in the MENA region. However, there are other religious communities and they are not uncommon.
• Not all Arabs are Muslim.
• The city of Jerusalem is considered holy by followers of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faith. Traditionally, Jews face Jerusalem for prayer.
• Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and it is where Muslims go to perform pilgrimage. It is where the Masjid Al Haram is located, the mosque that surrounds the Kaabah, which Muslims face for prayer.

Holidays and Celebrations

While holidays like Christmas and Easter are celebrated by Christians in the region, Muslim holidays and traditions dominate the region.

• Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr: The sighting of the crescent moon signifies the start of a new month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar. When the moon is sighted at that time of year, Muslims fast from sunrise to sundown for the entire duration of the month. The sighting of the next crescent moon marks the end of Ramadan and the start of Shawwal. The first day of Shawwal is Eid Al-Fitr, or the festival of breaking the fast.
• Hajj: In the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, Muslims perform Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
• Arafa: On the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, it is believed that this verse was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad: "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion." (Surah al Maa'idah 5:3)
  • It is the second day of Hajj
  • It is the day before Eid Al-Adha
  • Muslims who aren't performing Hajj fast on this day as it is considered the day of repentance and the day when supplications are answered
• Eid Al-Adha: Festival of the Sacrifice. Muslims sacrifice an animal to commemorate the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son according to God's command. In Islamic belief, when the Prophet Ibrahim went to sacrifice his son, he was provided with a lamb to sacrifice instead by God, due to his obedience. During Eid Al-Adha, Muslims sacrifice an animal and divide it's meat into three portions, a portion they keep for themselves, a portion goes to family and friends, and a portion they distribute to the poor and needy.