21 October 2004
Dubai International Holy Quran Award sessions to be broadcast live

In a global first initiative, satellite radio pioneer Worldspace has launched a dedicated 24-hour 'Quran Channel' for its Islamic audience during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Quran Channel has been conceived, designed and programmed to serve the information, education and spiritual needs of the community.

The channel has recitations from Holy Quran and discourses by eminent speakers as besides live broadcast of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) sessions.

DIHQA sessions being broadcast on the Quran Channel will continue till October 29, 2004 from 9.00 pm to 10.30 pm and 11.00 pm to 1.00 am.

"Along with Channel Islam International (CHI), a 24-hour dedicated channel for the Islamic community on the WorldSpace platform, Quran Channel provides a unique combination of infotainment during Ramadan" said Khawla Lootah, Managing Director, Worldspace Middle East.

CHI features dedicated Islamic news, education, specific programmes for women and children as well as programmes on Hadeeth, Tafseer and the Seerah during the holy month of Ramadan.

CHI's programming also includes live broadcasts of prayers from Makkah, with English translation, which gives non-Arabic listeners an opportunity to understand them.

Listeners will be able to hear eminent Islamic scholars and teachers discuss and speak on various topics including 'how to understand Islam better', 'zakat', 'heart of Quran', 'taqwa' and 'the door of heaven is open'.

The line-up of prominent scholars includes Sheikh Ahmed Al Kubeisi, Dr Khalid Al Jebeir, Dr Omar Abdul Kafi, Al Habib Ali Al Jafri, Sheikh Saeed Al Zayani, Sheikh Ibrahim Al Talha, Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Darwish, Prof Dellawar Hussain - a Bangladeshi member of parliament, Abdulsamad Samdani - an Indian member of parliament and Yousuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens).

Quran Channel is exclusively available on Worldspace on the AfriStar beam and listeners can tune in using a Worldspace receiver on Channel 596.

Worldspace receivers are available at all leading consumer electronics' retail outlets including Al Futtaim Electronics' Plug Ins and Jacky's Electronics stores.

"Once customers have purchased receivers of their choice they can call our UAE toll-free number 800 4573 for online support services," said Lootah.

"Alternatively they can log on to our website www.worldspace.ae for more information."

Headquartered in Dubai, Worldspace provides listeners with world-class programmes offering a unique combination of popular local, regional and international audio content from around the world, in CD quality sound. 

-Ends-

About Worldspace
Worldspace Corporation is the pioneer of satellite radio delivery for digital audio radio services (DARS). WorldSpace serves Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Through its subscription-based service, WorldSpace broadcasts news, music brand name content partners including NPR, Virgin Radio U.K., BBC, Fox News and educational programming to a global service area that includes more than four billion people and targets its programming to consumers, governments, and other organizations.

The company leverages its two geo-stationary satellites, AfriStar and AsiaStar, and its ownership of broad-spectrum licenses to deliver more than 100 digital quality audio channels per satellite as well as multimedia content directly to WorldSpace Satellite Radio receivers. Proprietary and patented WorldSpace technology is used by America's most successful satellite radio service.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C. and with offices in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa, WorldSpace is led by a seasoned management team with deep radio, international broadcasting and communications experience.

For further information:
Ravi Mahadevan,
Wide Angle Consulting,
Dubai,
UAE.
Tel: + 971 4 2668836;
Email: ravi@wideangleconsulting.com

© Press Release 2004