Minister advises guest workers to learn about Islam

By P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS

JEDDAH: The Islamic Education Foundation (IEF) in Alhamrah on Friday organized a major ceremony at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s conference hall to honor 749 new Muslims who embraced Islam last year.

Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al-Asheikh, who was the guest of honor at the ceremony, emphasized the importance of disseminating the message of Islam among the expatriate community. “Islamic propagation is the duty of every Muslim,” he said.

He urged non-Muslim guest workers to make use of the dawa centers in various parts of the Kingdom to learn more about Islam and remove their misconceptions about its teachings.

“We are now in the process of revamping the dawa centers across the country in order to make them more effective in carrying out their mission,” the minister said. There are about 260 dawa centers in various parts of the Kingdom.

“It is our religious duty to enlighten non-Muslim guest workers in the Kingdom about the message of the Qur’an and Sunnah (teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him),” he said.

“The embracing of Islam by a large number of expatriate workers in the Kingdom in a single year shows that Islam is spreading fast despite the strident smear campaign against the religion by its enemies,” said Faisal Al-Shami, deputy director of IEF.

He said the majority of non-Muslim expatriates in the Kingdom are interested to learn about Islam. “Among them, there are a few people who show enmity toward Islam and we try to engage them through constructive dialogue. There is another group of expatriates who do not give any value to religious faith,” he said.

Al-Shami said more than 7,000 expatriates of different nationalities have accepted Islam at IEF during the last 15 years. “We provide them with intensive courses on Islam to strengthen their faith and assist them to perform Haj,” he said.

James Bradley, 63, a British consultant of a Saudi company, who embraced Islam last year was supposed to attend Friday’s ceremony, but he died five months after his conversion to Islam. He had adopted Jamal as his new name.

A Protestant Christian, Bradley came to Saudi Arabia when he was 31. During the last three decades he had often expressed his desire to accept Islam, said Al-Shami. After pronouncing the Shahada (that there is no god but God and Muhammad is the Prophet of God), he said he felt like his heart has been cleansed.

IEF, having offices in Alhamrah, Corniche and downtown Jeddah, operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance. It organizes lectures, seminars, competitions and Umrah trips. “Our programs are aimed at highlighting Islamic faith, values and teachings and protecting Muslim youth and families from un-Islamic thoughts and ideas,” said Ismaeel Abu Taleb, manager for public relations and resource development.

Comments

ARIF

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It is very heartening to read such noble thoughts and deeds mentioned above. May Allah accept their "Iqlaas" Amen. I think, equal attention should be given to those "locals" to enlighten them about the significance of earning "Halal Livelihood" in Islam so that they can realise the issue better and avoid being impediment to those expats / others, who work hard to ensure halal rizq enter their mouth' But these local thugs, indulge in pocket snatching, car breaking, thefts, burglary and what not, most of the times giving the impression that Security is just puppet before their action. They can do anything to any one any time in any manner they like. This is the right time that Dawa Centre, Ulemas and other such organization give due attention to this menace and uproot this evil from the society.
May Allah give Hidaya to each and all. Amen.

S K NASSIF

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There is an obligation on Muslims to invite others to Islam, but we, as Muslims, must really think about the kind of example we are setting to guest workers in the Kingdom.
How many guest workers have lived here over the years? and how many have thought "wow! look at these Muslims, Islam is fantastic, I want to be a Muslim? Very few.
This is because the example they see is horrible. Rudeness, impatience, poor ethics, racism - these are not characteristics of Islam, yet, unfortunately, this is what guest workers are exposed to on a daily basis by Muslims.
Lead by example please.

ZAMAAN

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Great news ! Thanks to saudi government for the efforts !

AMERICAN MUSLIM

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Alhamdulillah for the new shahadas...May Allah keep them firm on the path of good until they meet Him. On a side note...I hope none of the new Muslims are maids here in the Kingdom...or else their perception of Islam and Muslims may drastically change once they're subjected to maltreatment. It's great to call people to Islam...but it's devastating to preach one thing and DO THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE

FAISAL

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this is what I call it as real productive work Jaza kellah Khair to every single person who contributed in this amazing work of Allah spreading the message of peace, being born in Saudi I always asked this question why n why we dont have dawa centres in ever block 'hara' likewise in England if someone wants to learn English, regardless of one's status he or she was given this opportunity.

also we need to have these dawa centres equipped with the multilingual material as language is the main barrier for some expatriates to understand the beauty of Islam

faisalrais@yahoo.com
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