A group of female Muslim converts visited the Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage yesterday, hoping to receive more information about Islam.
Their visit was aimed at helping them develop their knowledge of scripture and traditions, especially because some said they had gained an unfavourable impression of the religion in their home countries.
The women had been directed to the centre by the Dubai Department of Al Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, which oversees Muslim awareness and administration. Iman Ismail Abdullah, Head of the New Muslim Women's Section at the Department, headed the group and spoke to Gulf News to outline the reasons for their tour of the centre.
"Some of the women claimed that Islamic traditions and ideas are being misrepresented in their countries. So that's why they were seeking an authentic source of information about their new religion.
"Our section has so far overseen the education of more than 6,000 new-Muslim converts. Last week we hosted more than 30 new-Muslim converts most of whom came from Asia and Europe. The majority of these women have contacted us through the internet and were given the chance to embrace Islam at the department."
However, Iman added: "Yet when they were asked about their previous impressions of Islam, the majority complained about a bad image and misleading information they had received. So they investigated the section and visited the centre because they wanted to get a clearer image of Muslims, Islam and its history and culture."
She added: "The Centre is one of the leading institutions in the UAE and one of the most important in reversing the incorrect image that some people have gained about Islam, replacing it with the clear truth from the rich sources available.
"It is hoped that the new-Muslim converts will be visiting the centre more often to do their own research on Islam. Most of them say they are keen to do more studies and explore their new religion in their own time. I believe that with all the facilities available such as the libraries and free use of the internet the ladies will be able to gather the correct information."
She said the Department's website and hotline were believed to have led to a recognised increase in the number of converts.
"The section is expected to establish a new centre in Dubai by the end of September which will focus on the Islamic Sharia, culture and education. It will be sponsored by Dr Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmad Al Chibani, the department's general director."
Iman further clarified that the new Muslim converts mostly come from China, Germany, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa and the UK, and claimed that many of them were highly educated graduates.
She said: "At the New Muslim Converts Section we can teach people in 13 different languages. Thus our instructors are ready to help the ladies in their research even if there are language difficulties".
At the end of the visit, Dr Ezzedine bin Zughaiba, the centre's head of studies and publishing, delivered a speech entitled 'The Muslim Woman's Message Between Theory and Challenge'.
His lecture was constructed according to a historical sequence and featured a description of women's social standing before and after the birth of Islam. It also outlined the Islamic legislative system and how women should observe traditions and a list of problems they may face.
Gulf News
