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Muslim Festivals
Eid ul Fitr

• Sawm -4th pillar -  fasting teaches Muslims many things: enduring hardship, to be grateful for what you have, dedication to Allah, patience and self control, appreciation, perserverence, not giving up.
• Zakat -3rd pillar - means purify or cleanse. This refers to giving to the poor. Muslims are expected to pay Zakat on a regular basis. Every year they have to pay 2.5% of there wealth to the poor. It is payed to keep free of greed and selfishness. It is paid in secret so the rich get no false praise and the poor do not feel ashamed.
• On the last day of Ramadan instead of going to bed, people go and watch the new moon. This means the month of Shawal begins.
• Many people celebrate Eid with greetings such as Eid Mubarak or Eid blessing.
• People have parties to break free. It is especially for children.
• People give each other sweets, cakes, sugary things.
• Muslims have paryer to thank Allah for a successful fast between dawn and noon.

Passover

• Matzo - flat bread to remind the Jewish there was not enough time to let the bread rise.
• Shankbone - not eaten.Reminder of the lamb that was killed so its blood could be painted on Jewish people's doors.
• Bitter Herbs - Usually horse radish to symbol bitterness of slavery.
• Green Herbs - usually parsley or lettuce.Shows that God cared for Jesus when travelling through the desert.
• Haroseth - sweet mixture of apples, nuts, spices and wine. It is a reminder of the cement used for buildings by the slaves.
• Egg - Hard boiled. Reminder of the animals sacrificed at the temple.
• Salt Water - Symbol of the tears of the slaves.

Hanukkah

• Antiochus, a cruel Greek emperor wanted Jews to worship him. Jews did not worship him.
• Antiochus blew out the menorah which was never meant to go out.
• There was only enough oil for the menorah to burn for one day. When the Jews came back eight days later the menorah was still burning. It was a miracle. 

Wudu

• Wudu is a special ritual which involves washing various parts of the body.
• It is intended to make Muslims fit for worship.
• It helps Muslim's focus their minds and concentrate on Allah.
• Wudu is performed in the same order stated in the Qur'an.
• Hands, Inside mouth, Inside nose, Face, Arms, Elbows, Ears, Head, Ankles and Feet

Rakah

• Rakah involves  positions such as standing, kneeling, bowing, touching the ground with their forehead etc.

Prayer Aids

• Prayer mat - to sit on as it is beautiful and clean to pray on, whilst the floor is dirty.
• Subha beads - 99 beads to represent all 99 names of Allah.
• Skullcap - Muslim men wearthese skullcaps to show respect to Allah whilst praying.
• The Qur'an - the Holy Book for Muslims containing the word of Allah.
• The compass - Shows the direction of Mecca to pray.

Church

• Pulpit - a raised enclosed platform from which a priest or preacher delivers a sermon.
• The Altar - a table used at the service of Holy Communion. Used to be in the sanctuary but now it is in the transepts.
• Votiv candles - small candles that are burned as a votiv offering in religious ceremonies.
• Crucifix - a representation on Jesus on the cross reminding is he sacrificed himself for us.
• Chalice - a communion vessel which holds blessed wine (transubstantiation) of Jesus' blood.
• Palm leaves - these were laid at the feet of important people. When Jesus came on his donkey during Passover people laid palm leaves at his feet. Believed to be the Messiah

Jewish Worship

• Tallit - special shawl worn by men whilst doing mornig prayers
•  Tefillin - small leather boxes close to the heart or mind whilst praying
• Yarmulka - skullcap worn by men to show respect to God
• Torah - first 5 books of the Jewish Bible.
• Sefer Torah - scroll hand written on parchment of skin of a kosher animal. 1 year to write.