February 22, 2002

Islamic Society of Orange County, 8 a.m., Anaheim Convention Center Hall-C, 800 W. Katella Ave.

Masjid Al-Ansar, 8:30 a.m., The Sequoia Center, 7530 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park.

Islamic Educational Center of Orange County, 7:45 a.m., 319-B Airport Loop Drive, Costa Mesa.

Orange County Islamic Foundation, 7 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., 23581 Madero Drive No. 101, Mission Viejo.

Islamic Center of Irvine, 8:15 a.m., Hyatt Regency Irvine, Grand Ballroom, 17900 Jamboree Road at 405 and Jamboree Road.

Masjid S. Jamaluddin Afghani, 9 a.m., 546 W. Katella Ave., Orange.

Hyatt Regency Orange County, 8 a.m., Garden Room 2&3, 100 Plaza Alicante, Garden Grove.

The five pillars of Islam:

1. The Testimony of Faith: The most important pillar of Islam, which calls for one to say with conviction, "There is no true god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God."

2. Prayer: Muslims offer five prayers a day.

3. Giving Zakat (support of the needy): All things belong to God, and wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust.

4. Fasting the month of Ramadan: Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations.

5. The pilgrimage to Mecca: The annual pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it.

For more background on Islam and hajj, go to:

http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/hajj/

www.ummah.net/hajj/

www.islam-guide.com/

www.islam.org/