JEDDAH, 20 May 2006 — As many as 4,200 expatriates of different nationalities have embraced Islam as a result of the activities of Islamic Education Foundation (IEF) in Alhamrah in the past 10 years, according to a press statement issued by IEF. About 40 percent of the converts were women, it said.
The foundation said it would hold a ceremony at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry auditorium on Tuesday to honor 250 Muslims including new converts who have completed Islamic courses conducted by the organization. Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al-Asheikh will be the chief guest.
Badr Al-Olayan, IEF director, spoke about IEF’s activities to enlighten Muslim expatriates about their religion and explain the noble teachings of Islam to non-Muslims.
“It was the exemplary treatment received by non-Muslim expatriates from their Muslim employers and colleagues that encouraged them to embrace the faith. The second factor is their understanding of the reality of Islam as a true divine religion,” Olayan said.
Many others were attracted to Islam after attending religious classes and Islamic seminars organized by the foundation.
“We take care of the new Muslims, by providing them with Islamic education. We also arrange Umrah and Haj trips for them,” said Ismaeel Abu Taleb, public relations and financial resource development manager at the foundation.
“Every week we conduct regular Islamic classes attended by more than 500 men and women. We teach them the fundamentals of Islam, recitation of the Holy Qur’an, Arabic language and comparative religion,” he said.
The foundation, which is supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Propagation and Guidance and supported by Saudi businessmen and philanthropists, is one of the most active dawa organizations in the city.
