BBC Home
Explore the BBC

CBBC

Islam

Last Updated: Friday January 21 2005 19:43 GMT

What is Islam?

The top of the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

Islam is the second largest religion in Britain and the world.

More than one billion people follow Islam and it is the fastest growing religion.

Followers of Islam are called Muslims.

Islam is over 1,400 years old, dating back to the 7th Century. It began in Arabia.

The Arabic word for God is Allah.

The word "Islam" means submission to God's will and obedience to God's law. It comes from an old Arabic word meaning "peace."