JEDDAH, 28 January — Twenty-six expatriate workers of different nationalities embraced Islam in Shaqra in the Riyadh Region last year, the Islamic Cooperation Office which caters for new converts said.
The office working under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Dawa and Guidance, said the converts hailed from the Philippines, India and Sri Lanka and were in different professions.
During the period, the office conducted 161 religious lessons and lectures covering various aspects of Islamic life and distributed more than 1,600 books.
Meanwhile, the ministry is gearing up for the Haj and finalized preparations for launching its annual
education campaign among the pilgrims. The campaign involves more than 530 preachers, 120 translators and 100 administrators.
Pilgrim awareness centers have been set up at the points of entry along the Kingdom's borders with neighboring countries as well as at King Abdul Aziz International Airport and Jeddah Islamic Port.
Nine additional centers have been set up in Makkah around the Holy Haram and surrounding areas. Radio and television programs in 13 languages will be aired throughout the annual pilgrimage, which reaches its climax during the first week of March. (A.N.)
