For many British Bangladeshis, faith is an important part of their lives and Islam gives them a way to express their this. Most people of Bangladeshi heritage are of Muslim faith, and this is something that we like to celebrate and make part of our everyday lives here in the UK whether through celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr or by praying through reading the Qur’an or performing Salah to become closer with God.

There are many factors in following Islam and ensuring you are a practising Muslim, but below are the 5 pillars of Islam. These five key practices that all Muslims are obligated to fulfil throughout their lifetime. These practices are referred to as pillars because they form the foundation of Muslim life. The five pillars of Islam are Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj.

• Shahada (Faith): The declaration of faith in one God (Allah) and His messenger (peace be upon him).
• Salah (Prayer): The ritual prayer required of every Muslim five times a day throughout their lifetime.
• Zakat (Almsgiving): The act of giving a portion of a Muslim’s wealth to those in need throughout their lifetime.
• Sawm (Fasting): The act of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
• Hajj (Pilgrimage): The sacred pilgrimage to Mecca required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime if it is within their means.