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Muslim prayer, known as Salah or Salat, is a pivotal spiritual practice within Islam. It stands as one of the Five Pillars of the faith, forming an integral part of Muslims’ daily lives. This ritualistic act of worship signifies a direct connection between the believers and Allah, fostering devotion and mindfulness.
Salah is observed five times a day, each occurrence aligned with specific solar positions: Fajr (pre-dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night). Preceding prayer, Muslims must cleanse themselves through Wudu, a purification ritual involving ablution of specific body parts.
The Pew Research Center’s study revealed that in 2012 daily prayer holded a significant place in the lives of Muslims across various regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa. In the countries surveyed within these regions, the majority, often six-in-ten or more, report praying at least once a day. Tanzania is a notable exception, with 55% praying daily. In Southern and Eastern Europe as well as Central Asia, the likelihood of daily prayer is generally lower, but there is notable diversity within these regions. For instance, in Central Asia, Azerbaijani Muslims stand out, with a substantial 74% praying at least once a day, in contrast to Kazakhstan, where only one-in-ten Muslims do so.
The world map below shows the percentage of Muslim population who don’t pray five times a day, according to the Pew Research Center’s data.
Ten years later, the situation has changed somewhat.
The map below shows how many Muslims prayed 5 times a day by country in 2022.
At present, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Mauritania, and Somalia are often associated with higher levels of religiosity within their societies. These nations place a significant emphasis on religious practices, influenced by factors like their historical, cultural, and religious contexts.
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This is a fascinating map. It suggests Turkish Muslims are among the
least observant. That fits with the country’s general secularization.