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The crescent moon and star is an internationally-recognized symbol of the faith of Islam. The symbol is featured on the flags of several Muslim countries, and is even part of the official emblem for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Christians have the cross, the Jews have the star of David, and the Muslims have the crescent moon, right? What is the history behind the crescent moon symbol? What does it symbolize or mean? How and when did it become associated with the faith of Islam? Is it a valid symbol for the faith?

Once upon a time there was a rich merchant who had four wives. He loved the fourth wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the third wife very much. He was very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant was always in fear that she might run away with some other men.

During the time of Dhuhr (Noon) prayers I was standing close to the chamber of the Muadhin in the Holy Mosque in Mecca. A brother signaled to me to fill a gap in the row next to him after the Iqamah has been called. So I went forward.

Two unborn babies spoke in their mother’s belly. One of them was a believer and another was a disbeliever. “Do you believe in life after birth?” the disbeliever baby asked.

O Islamic ummah where are you? A cry for help from within our hearts to stand united by means of our faith. A cry for peace with each other but first with ourselves. A cry for submission not to our fears but to the Almighty's will. O Islamic Ummah where are you?

Story told by Shaykh Abdul Mohsen al Ahmad. It happened in Abha (the capital of Asir, province in Saudi Arabia). “After performing Salat Al Maghrib, she put on her make-up, wore her beautiful white dress preparing herself for her wedding party. The adhan for ‘Ishaa started and she knew that she did not have wudu. She told her mother, “Mother, I have to go to make wudu and pray ‘Ishaa”.

One sister told a story which happened to her during Ramadan: “It was one of the blessed days in the month Ramadan. I enjoyed the time and was very proud of myself that I was fasting and I had not broken a single day of fast yet. A unique atmosphere of unity was all around; young and old, rich and poor were fasting together and all were equal.

Collective Iftars organized in our mosque were always amazing. It was so not because variety of food was introduced there. No. Food was always very modest. Usually there was only rice with meat served in big plates, some cut vegetables, and dry fruits as sweets. If somebody brought something else like pies or deserts it was welcomed of course. But anyway, food was not the main thing there.

Being a Muslim for the first year I was a little bit afraid before my very first fasting in Ramadan. As I was a person, who had never fast before it was difficult for me to imagine how to spend a day without food and water. The situation was compounded by my close relatives and friends:

A new worker came to the office. He was a handsome, tall young man and he immediately became an object of regard for all ladies. Girls competed with each other to win a heart of an eligible bachelor. Every lady tried to attract his attention with her own unique feminism way.