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What is
a Muslim Symbol?
A crescent moon is widely
believed to symbolically represent Muslims, as the crescent
moon has central function in the Muslim lunar calendar because
each Muslim month starts with the sighting of the new moon.
What is
a Muslim Identity Symbol?
Muslim Identity Symbol is a
made-up symbol to symbolically represent the core beliefs of
Muslims.
What are
the core beliefs of Muslims?
The core beliefs of Muslims
are the five (5) Pillars of Islam, namely, (1) the declaration
of faith; (2) the duty to pray 5 times a day; (3) giving zakat,
the annual charity; (4) fasting in the month of Ramadan; and
(5) performance of Hajj, the pilgrimage, and the seven (7)
articles of faith, namely, the belief in (1) Allah (God); (2)
Angles; (3) God’s Books - the Torah, the Bible, and the Qur’an;
(4) God’s Messengers - Adam to Moses to Jesus to Muhammad
(Peace be upon them all); (5) the Day of Resurrection; (6)
Destiny; and (7) Life after Death.
How does
the Muslim Identity Symbol represent the core beliefs of
Muslims?
The five-pointed star can
be said to represent the give (5) pillars of Islam: (1) the
declaration of faith; (2) the duty to pray 5 times a day; (3)
giving zakat, the annual charity, (4) fasting in the month of
Ramadan; and (5) performance of Hajj, the pilgrimage, and the
7 points in the symbol - 5 fro the star and 2 from the
crescent moon - may be likened to represent the 7 articles of
faith for the Muslims, they are belief in (1) Allah (God); (2)
Angles; (3) God’s Books - the Torah, the Bible, and the Qur’an;
(4) God’s Messengers - Adam to Moses to Jesus to Muhammad
(Peace be upon them all); (5) the Day of Resurrection; (6)
Destiny; and (7) Life after Death.
Has any
major Muslim leader made any comment in reference to the
Muslim Identity Symbol?
ISNA (Islamic Society of
North America) Secretary General Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed has said
“ This public display of the Muslim symbol alongside the
symbols of Christianity and Judaism during the holiday
season...is a much needed recognition, especially when other
major religions and their roles in the lives of Americans are
being acknowledged."
Does this Muslim Identity Symbol preclude other Muslim
Identity Symbols?
Muslim Identity symbol patented and adopted in the U.S. is not
meant to be and embodiment of Islam per se, and Muslims around
the world may envision other designs.
Do Muslims worship symbols?
Islam prohibits the worship of symbols of representation of
any worldly structures in any prayer.
Does the Muslim Identity Symbol have any religious
significance?
ISNA has clearly started that any Muslim “symbol has no
religious significance and only represents a national Muslim
identity.”
Do the colors in the Muslim Identity Symbol have any meaning?
The color white is generally recognized to symbolize peace and
purity, and the color green to represent prosperity and
growth.
Why the need for a Muslim Identity Symbol?
A star and crescent combination symbol has been invented to
represent primarily the Muslims, and secondarily and all
organizations that would benefit from such an invention.
Although the crescent and star does not have any religious
significance or symbolism in Islam, it is desired that it be
accepted as a public Muslim symbol.
Where and how can I display the Muslim Identity Symbol?
The Muslim Identity Symbol can be displayed throughout the
year, and especially during the holiday season alongside other
public symbols such as, a Christmas tree, a Menorah. This
display can be done in a public park, a local town hall, a
public library, a public school, or similar other public
venue.
Why the need to patent a Muslim Identity Symbol?
A patent is not only a legal protection for an invention but
also a public recognition of the invention. Muslims have been
innovators and inventors for centuries and thus their
contributions need to be appropriately recognized.
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