In honor of Islam Awareness Week, the Muslim Students Association is sponsoring a week-long celebration meant to expose the SMU community to Islam.

The five days of events, which began Monday, correspond to the five basic pillars of Islam: Shahadah (proclamation of faith), Salat (prayer), Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan), Zakah (charity) and Hajj (pilgrimage).

Remaining events include a discussion Thursday on fasting during Ramadan and a congregational performance of Jumaah, the weekly Friday prayer.

MSA will depict the annual Hajj setting of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, today in the Hughes-Trigg Commons at noon. Muslim students Asad Rahman, Ali Rahman, Sabeena Rahman and Asma Lat built a replica of the Kaaba, a holy place of all Muslims.

“It’s the center point to which Muslims throughout the world pray,” Asad Rahman said.

Muslim students will gather at noon to pray at the Kaaba. Islamic doctrine says Muslims should always pray facing toward Saudi Arabia.

Islam Awareness Week events are open to all students, faculty and staff, and refreshments will be provided. For more information visit the MSA Web site at www.smu.edu/msa.