The name Mary, and how it is used in the Koran
             The role that Mary has played in the history of religion is a topic that can be debated. According to the Koran, the only importance of Mary, is that she is undisputedly the mother of Jesus. Also, the only proper name of a woman to be used in the Koran, is the name, Mary (Maryam). However, she has never been referred to as the Virgin Mary in either the Bible or the Koran.1 This is significant in comparing and contrasting some of the importance of this woman and her son to Christianity and Islam religions.
             The woman known as Mary, is a name that many religions of the world honor. She was born to Anna, the wife of 'Imran and when she was born her mother Anna prayed to God:2
             O my Lord, I vow to thee what is in my belly
             dedicated (to thy service); accept (it) from me
             verily thou art one who hears and knows."3
             After she had made this vow to God, she was then confused when He gave a female child. She did not understand how greatness was to come from a female child.
             As written in the third sura of the Koran, Mary was raised in a way which was devoted to serving God. She worshiped in the temple, just as her mother promised she would if God would allow her to have this special child. It is said that Mary was assisted by angels throughout her childhood, and the Islamic religion regarded her as sinless.4 The Koran implies this pure, sinless and Godly inspired view of Mary by stating in sura three verses 30-35:
             Although it was not obvious at first, Mary would eventually play a large role in Christianity and other religions, due to the fact that she would be the mother of Jesus.
             Muslims and Jews also recognize the importance of Mary to their religions. They agree that she is the true mother of the prophet Jesus. Muhammad, when clearing and cleansing the Ka'ba of idols, is said to have spared the removal of a picture of Mary and Jesus.6 The phras...