Centre for Islamic Culture announced
Ahmed Shaaban / 8 August 2012
The Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai on Tuesday announced the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture, an immense building to be constructed at Barsha for the service of Muslims and new Muslims.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, selected the scheme from thousands of schemes proposed under Ramadan initiatives. Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, Director-General of the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities, said Shaikh Mohammed has ordered the allocation of a plot of land for the new project.
He said that the new centre is aimed to enhance communication with new Muslims from all foreign communities in Dubai, provide all possible services to them and to educate them on the merciful teachings of Islam.
Dr Al Shaibani quoted Shaikh Mohammed as saying: “Telling people about Islam and enlightening them about its teachings is an honour to us in life here and the hereafter. We are all bound to spotlight the civilised image and true essence of Islam which urges Muslims to properly welcome and greet whoever wants to embrace Islam, and educate new Muslims about the teachings and principles of Islam.”
Dr Al Shaibani said that the centre is for all Muslims in general and new Muslims in particular. “It is to develop their awareness of Islam and its culture, support them socially and spiritually, and update relevant statistics. The holy month of Ramadan, for years, has been seeing a significant rise in the number of new Muslims because of its spiritual atmosphere and uplifting preaching,” he added.
Dubai, accommodating residents from more than 200 nations, has become a major hub for new Muslims and people wanting to embrace Islam.
Dr Al Shaibani said the centre will have classrooms, conference rooms, prayer hall, big library, and a spacious and well-lighted hall for reading. “An array of awareness courses and programmes on Islam will be organised in different languages, such as English, Chinese, Tagalog, Hindi, Urdu, Russian, Albanian, Bosnian, Serbian, Ethiopian, and Singaporean languages,” he said.