AP Photo.

Islam is one of the three great monotheistic (a belief in one God) religions — the other two being Christianity and Judaism — to emerge from the region of the Middle East. It began with the prophet Mohammed who lived in Arabia in the seventh century.

Followers, called Muslims, believe him to be the last in a line of prophets (including Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus) sent by God, called Allah in Arabic, to reveal his intended way of life. There are 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide and an estimated 5.8 million in the United States.

Learn more about Islam:

Map: World Religions Dominant religions by regions. Percentage of people belonging to each of the major world religions. (Image=43K)

Sources: "World Religions" by John Bowker; "The DK Geography of the World," the Associated Press; World Book; Detroit Free Press; PBS; 2001 World Almanac; "The Illustrated World's Religions" by Huston Smith; ReligiousTolerance.org; Laura Fair at the University of Oregon.

Compiled by Curt Milton/P-I
Map Illustrations: Dave Badders/P-I