How many times a day do Muslims face Mecca to pray to Allah?

Muslims face Mecca to pray five times a day. These prayers occur at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall. This ritual is sometimes known by its Arabic name, "salah."

Muslims may perform this ritual anywhere. Salah also requires attendance at Friday worship. Praying five times a day is the second of the Five Pillars of Islam, a list of commandments that observant Muslims must perform during their lifetimes. The other pillars include fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, a visit to the holy city of Mecca, charity and the shahadah, which is a profession of faith in Allah and his prophet, Muhammad.