DUBAI- As part of its cultural and humanitarian role to spread Islamic culture and values in society, the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai organised 3,635 activities in 2018, benefiting 91,997 people from different nationalities.

In 2018, the centre worked with 291 government and private bodies to carry out its activities, which included lessons, lectures, workshops, as well as educational and cultural courses.

As many as 90 lecturers from within and outside the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department participated in the lectures and seminars, while the centre also organised events in several languages in line with the cultural and social diversity of the emirate of Dubai. Commenting on the achievements of the centre in the past year, Hind Lootah, Director of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture, stressed that the centre is keen to realise the vision of the government as outlined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. "The centre will continue to work on disseminating the values and principles of Islam, providing support to new Muslims, and organising programmes and activities that will achieve the humanitarian mission of the centre," Lootah said. The Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture organised 146 lectures, 59 workshops, 456 courses and 2,974 religious lessons for teachers and adjunct teachers.

The total number of people who benefited from the programmes and activities of the centre during the same period was 18,411 from the lessons, 2,267 from the lectures and 71,319 from the public programmes and activities, while the number of new Muslims who converted to Islam during this period was 3,176. The Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture provides support and guidance to new Muslims to help them understand and represent the values of Islam. Last year, the centre provided 618 support services covering various aspects of interest to new Muslims. At an inquiry level, the total number of queries received by the centre was 7,964.

© Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2019.