Religion: Muslim Prayers

One of the five pillars of Islam is the DAILY RITUAL of prayer, or salat. Muslims face Mecca and pray five times a day: at dawn, at midday, in midafternoon, at sunset and after nightfall . (In Los Angeles, Muslims face 9 degrees east of north) . Salat is preceded by a ritual purification that consists of a series of bowings, prostrations and recitations from the Koran. It is preferable to pray in the company of other Muslims, but private prayer is also valid. Under Islamic law, only five prayers are required each day, but Muslims are free to add prayers if they so desire.