Japji is preceded by Mool Mantra and concludes with a Sloka. The Mool Mantra is the root doctrinal statement of Sikh Faith comparable to Nicene Creed in Christianity, Kalma-I-Shahadat in Islam, The shema in Judaism or Gayatri mantra in Hinduism. The Mul Mantra in full or in an abbreviated form is repeated at the beginning of all major Banis or sections of the Guru Granth Sahib. Similarly, the concluding Sloka of the Jap is usually recited to signify the end of a ritual service.