Dar Al Ber helps 1,511 convert to Islam in 7 months

Dubai - Abdullah Ali bin Zayed, Executive Director of Dar Al Ber Society, said the Centre, specialised in introducing Islam, spares no effort to introduce the true image of this great religion.

Dar Al Ber Society (DABS), based in Dubai, has helped 1,511 residents, of different nationalities, convert to Islam in the first seven months of this year 2016. 
The fresh Muslims included 247 male and female residents from several countries in July, according to an official statement from the Islamic Information Centre, DABS. 
Abdullah Ali bin Zayed, Executive Director of Dar Al Ber Society, said the Centre, specialised in introducing Islam, spares no effort to introduce the true image of this great religion. 
"Thanks to this dedication, up to 1,511 people converted to Islam in seven months at the hands of the Centre's competent scholars." 
Staff preachers have delivered 1,814 lectures and classes on a variety of religious, social and national issues over the period from January 01 to July 31, he added. "These included 149 in July." 
Rashid Al Junaibi, Manager of the Islamic Information Centre, said they received 122 requests in seven months, including eight in July, to enlighten non-Muslims about Islam. 
"The Centre provides a pioneering SMS service, themed 'Has any converted at your hand', to introduce the tolerant teachings of Islam to non-Muslims, as per request." 
Adding, he said the Centre, a leading division of Dar Al Ber Society, has also distributed 477,580 various publications, spanning books, pamphlets, brochures, and CDs in seven months. "These included 33,800 in July."  
Noting, Al Junaibi said the Centre has collected Dh462,571 as contribution in seven months this year in support of the Centre's activities, events, and programmes. "These included Dh57,500 in July." 
The Centre, founded in 1933, is further very active on social media, he underlined. "The Centre has posted 12,347 tweets and posts on its official accounts on Twitter and Facebook in the first seven months of the year, including 142 tweets and 50 posts in July." 
Almighty Allah in Verse 125/16 said: 'Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best', he pointed out. "Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was reported as saying: 'By Allah, if a single person is guided by Allah through you, it will be better for you than a whole lot of red camels." 
Al Junaibi said a unified certificate is issued to authenticate the conversion of any new Muslim to Islam in association with the Dubai Courts, and the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai. 
"Should anyone have interest in embracing Islam, they need to bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his messenger. They have then to fill in a special form, and submit certain documents, such as a passport copy, a valid residence permit, and a photograph." 
Introductory lectures and courses are then prepared for new Muslims to help them understand the teachings of Islam, he stated. "They are also provided with simplified brochures and booklets on Islam in their own languages."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE