Dubai, 29th July 2013 (WAM) -- Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum this evening honoured Dr Zakir Naik, winner of Islamic Personality of the Year, announced by the 17th Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) As patron of the Award, Sheikh Mohammed welcomed the prominent Indian scholar at Zabeel Palace and presented him with the honour. Sheikh Mohammed congratulated Dr. Naik for adopting calm dialogue, proof-based method of persuasion in preaching and promoting Islam as a religion of mercy and tolerance.
Sheikh Mohammed marvelled at Dr. Naik's intellectual and spiritual meritswhich enable him to memorise and interpret the Holy Quran. He also praised him for deep understanding of the Divinely-revealed Books and for his valuable books.
On his part, Dr. Naik paid profound thanks to Sheikh Mohammed for his patronage and support for DIHQA, which he said, is gaining increasing momentum and publicity among young Quran memorisers across the world, particularly Islamic countries. A medical doctor by professional training, Dr Zakir Naik is renowned as a dynamic international orator on Islam and Comparative Religion. Dr Zakir Naik is the president of Islamic Research Foundation, Mumbai. Dr Zakir, 47, clarifies Islamic viewpoints and clears misconceptions about Islam, using the Quran, authentic Hadith and other religious Scriptures as a basis, in conjunction with reason, logic and scientific facts. According to a profile released by DIHQA, he is popular for his critical analysis and convincing answers to challenging questions posed by audiences after his public talks. In the last 17 years (by the year 2013) Dr Zakir Naik has delivered more than 2000 public talks in the U.S.A., Canada, U.K., Italy, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Guyana (South America), Trinidad, Mauritius and many other countries, in addition to numerous public talks in India. He is ranked in the top 62 list of the ?500 Most Influential Muslims in the World? published by George Washington University in the year 2011 and 2012. He was also listed No. 82 in the ?100 Most Influential People in India? published by Indian Express in 2009 and listed No. 89 in 2010 amongst the billion plus population of India. He was listed No. 3 in the ?Top 10 Spiritual Gurus of India in 2009? and he topped this list in 2010. Dr. Zakir Naik has visited UAE several times and has personally met the Rulers of Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman several times as well as several government officials. Dr Zakir Naik appears regularly on many international TV channels in more than 200 countries of the world. He is regularly invited for TV and Radio interviews. He has authored many books on Islam and Comparative Religion.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
