JEDDAH, 10 May 2004 — A Jeddah-based scholar has stressed the need to use the latest technology — multimedia, Internet, and e-mail — to serve Islam in the best possible way.
Opening a new website, www.prophetmuhammadforall.org‚ last week, Maulana Habib-ur-Rahman said there had been an increase in bias and misconceptions about Islam as a result of Sept. 11. One very good way of countering them is to use the electronic media and other related means to educate people about what Islam really is.
“Today’s technology can be used positively to study and spread Islam. Too many people are victims of misinformation. A concentrated, reasoned, studied, and well-planned program can go a long way in removing misconceptions,” he said. “When people look at the roots of Islam, various aspects of the life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and his teachings, they will get a better idea and will realize that a deliberate blurred vision has been promoted by ill-advised and ill-intentioned people.”
The website, which is launched by Al-Islam Group, is one of the very few book-based sites. About 50 biographies of the Prophet in English and other languages can be downloaded free of charge.
Muhammad Mateen Osmani, director of Al-Islam Group, said new books would be added periodically. Future plans include separately interactive Qur’an and Islamic quizzes in Urdu and English. There will be almost 1,000 questions aimed at different age groups.
Osmani made an online presentation and explained the main features of CDs, in English and Urdu, titled “Muhammad: The Benefactor of Humanity.”
