Muslim World Survey

Mention "the Muslim world," and most westerners immediately picture the Middle East. That's understandable, but Muslim-majority countries actually stretch from Africa to Indonesia--and that's not to mention the millions of Muslims in Europe and the New World.

Here's a look at Muslimdom by the numbers, plus Muslim-world maps and a guide to good Islam resources online.

Islam, By the Numbers

610 – The year in which Muslims believe the angel Gabriel first appeared to Muhammad, while he was meditating in a cave outside Mecca. From then until his death in 632, Muslims believe, Muhammad became God's messenger, receiving and reciting the Arabic verses that now make up the Qur'an, Islam's holy book.

1 billion – Estimate usually given for the total number of Muslims in the world (often preceded by the words "more than"). There are no definitive figures, and estimates range from 900 million to 1.5 billion. In any case, that makes Islam the world's second largest religion, after Christianity, which counts around 2 billion adherents.

20 – Percentage of Muslims who live in the Middle East. More, around 30 percent, live on the Indian subcontinent (in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh). The most populous Muslim nation is Indonesia, where some 200 million Muslims live.

85 – Estimated percentage of Muslims who are Sunnis. Most others are Shi'ites. The split dates back to a succession dispute from Islam's early days. Basically, Shi'ite Muslims hold that only descendents of Ali, Muhammad's son-in-law (and, they believe, chosen heir), can rule as caliph (Arabic khalifah, "successor"). Sunnis will accept the authority of any caliph who rules according to Islamic precepts.

2 million – Number of Muslims who make the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) each year. The Hajj is one of the "Five Pillars of Islam," which define the duties of the faithful. Able-bodied Muslims must make the Hajj at least once in their lives if they have the means to do so. The other four pillars are shahada (the Muslim profession of faith), salat (ritual prayers), zakat (almsgiving), and sawm (daytime fasting during Ramadan).

Islam, On the Map

Map the world by percentage of Muslims per country:
http://knowledgenews.net/images/muslims_by_country.jpg

Map the Muslim world by Sunnis and Shi'ites:
http://knowledgenews.net/images/sunni_shiite.jpg

Map the Muslim world 1,200 years ago:
http://knowledgenews.net/images/caliphate_big.jpg

Islam, On the Web

Get an "Introduction to Islam" at the Middle East Institute:
http://www.mideasti.org/indepth/islam/

Explore Islam's "Empire of Faith" at PBS.org:
http://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/

Listen to readings from the Qur'an in Arabic:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/
texts/quran_2.shtml

Make a video pilgrimage to Mecca with National Geographic:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3Y1QirbP0SI