Sunday, Jul 21, 2013
Dubai: A prominent Filipino Islamic scholar told new Muslims on Saturday night to study the Quran to strengthen their faith and be ready should they face challenges when they come back home.
Rashid Indasan, a Filipino Islamic scholar known for publicly challenging other faiths in the Philippines, addressed Filipino Muslims during the late-night Ramadan Forum at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Saturday.
The Tagalog session titled ‘The Challenge of Quran’ is part of the multi-lingual forum which began on July 12. It is organised by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.
“When you go back to the Philippines, people from other faiths will challenge you. They will ask you questions on why you embraced Islam. I’m just giving you an idea what it will be like,” Indasan said, addressing the crowd.
Indasan derived his sermon from his personal experience during his early years as a new Muslim in the ’90s. Born to a Muslim family, Indasan said he was given a chance to choose his faith. He studied in a Catholic school and loved reading the Bible. But at one point, he said, he felt that the Bible was pointing him to the Quran. He embraced Islam in 1998.
Then a new Muslim, a person asked him if he was certain he would go to heaven when he dies. That question sparked an internal battle within him.
“My faith was shaken. Doubt entered my heart. But instead of giving up, I took it as a challenge.”
Indasan then studied other religions being practised in the Philippines. “Name it, I studied it. The challenge is for every Muslim to study comparative religion. You will only appreciate what you have if you compare it with others,” he said.
During the lecture, Indasan said new Muslims must value the time they spend in studying the Quran as it will keep them grounded and strengthen their faith.
The Ramadan Forum will feature more lectures on Islam until July 23.
By Janice Ponce de Leon Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
