By Deanna Devey
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Over a hundred people filled the Kennedy Center Conference Room Wednesday Feb. 19 to learn about Islam and the Quran.
In a lecture, visiting BYU sociology professor Abdullahi Gallab described the characteristics and importance of the Quran.
'The Quran is in every aspect of Muslim life,' Gallab said.
Some Muslims even memorize the Quran.
'I memorized one-fourth of it by the time I was five,' Gallub said.
Gallab described the history of the Muslim holy book.
The word, Quran, comes from the Arabic word meaning 'to read.' The Quran has also commonly been called 'The Book,' Gallub said.
Several other names have been given in reference to the Quran, Gallub said. These names include Healing, Mercy, Blessing, Gracious, Full of Wisdom and Light.
The angel Gabriel revealed the Quran to the prophet Mohammad, Gallub said.
It took 22 years to complete the revelation, which took place during the sixth century.
The organization of the holy book has a pattern.
'The Quran as a text uses the length as an organizing principle,' Gallub said. Long verses are found at the beginning while short ones are at the end.
The Quran consists of 114 chapters, Gallub said. The chapters are composed of 6,000 verses.
The contents of the book include a description of God, his attributes, humans and their position to the universe, the next life, regulations, war and peace and human rights.
Gallub emphasized the importance of the Quran in the everyday lives of Muslims.
'The Quran is the prime mover of Muslim consciousness,' Gallub said.