Urpi: Mohamed, I've read and heard about troubles Moroccans and Algerians experience when they're living and working in Spain. Is it because they're Muslims do you think?

Mohamed: Well, I don't know that I'm the one to ask.

Urpi: Okay, but please, tell us about Islam anyway.

Mohamed: Well, my father says Islam is a way that allows you to achieve happiness and inner peace in this world and in the other world when we die.

Isa: That's a lot! So what does being a Muslim mean?

Mohamed: Everything is based on the five pillars of Islam, which are - one, believing in the oneness of God - "Allah"; two, praying five times a day; three, fasting during the month of Ramadan; four, giving charity to the community and five, going on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime. We also have to respect our parents and elders. These sound like rules, but actually I don't think it's very different to other religions, when it comes down to how you live your life.

Isa: Okay, I've seen Muslims in Mecca, or in Mosques, praying lots of times on TV, but then I also saw it was Muslims involved in killing all those people in new York on September 11th 2001.

Mohamed: Well, I am not going to try to explain everything about Muslims and Islam, but I do know that in human history lots of religions and groups of fanatics have caused huge troubles in the name of God, Allah or whatever. I mean, take the American Conquest, the Spanish Crusades, or the Inquisition. I think that there is no justification, whatever the aim for killing innocent people.

Isa: That's what I think too. But, please tell me more about Islam. Is it so different to other religions, such as Christianity?

Mohamed: Like I say, I don't think it is, not really. Take the pilgrimage to Mecca, Christians go to Rome, Belen or Santiago de Compostela, Hindus go on pilgrimages (don't ask me where, though). They try to leave their daily life 'parked' at least for a while, so as to be more spiritual, and to remind themselves that all Muslims, rich or poor, black or white, male or female, from all the countries in the world are equal before Allah. I don't think this is so different from what other religions preach.

Urpi: Why do they worship?

Mohamed: We worship to become better people, to be in touch with Allah and to thank him for everything.

Isa: And what about your mother, what does she say about your dad being a Muslim when she isn't?

Mohamed: My mother is fine with him because she sees him happy, and they respect each other. Islam says that there shouldn't be coercion in religion, and my mother, who is Catholic, thinks that religions don't have to separate people but get them together. Actually, religion and culture were not a problem for my mum and dad, if it had been they wouldn't have got married, and then most probably I wouldn't be here talking to you about these things...

Urpi: Haha! Yes, that's right. I also think it is stupid that people fight or quarrel because of their beliefs. Religions should work together to have a better world and to achieve peace and harmony. Like that motto - 'All different, all the same'.

Mohamed: I like what you say, Urpi. What's the point in each religion praying in its way if we hate each other? What's the point holding the Bible or the Koran in one hand and to have a knife, a gun or a bomb in the other?

Edurne: Well, it's very easy to say things, especially while relaxing in a swimming pool like this, but it's much more difficult to put things into practice.

Isa: And as we've said before, if people our age don't start trying to find out more about 'the other' and ourselves, who will?