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Discuss this article (10 Comments)Thousands turn to Islam in Dubai - offical figures
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 28 January 2009
zoomMUSLIM CALL: Dubai saw a 71 percent increase in people becoming Muslims last year. (Getty Images)
Almost 3,000 people, the majority of them women, from dozens of nationalities became Muslims in Dubai last year, it was announced on Wednesday.
A total of 2,763 individuals - 1,869 of them women - from 72 countries embraced Islam in 2008, an increase of 71 percent over 2007, according to figures released by the Islamic affairs and charitable activities department.
Announcing the data Dr Hamad bin Al Sheikh Al Shaibani, director general of the department, said: ''We are delivering our message properly by spreading Islamic culture and instilling national identity through giving greater attention to mosques, holy Quran sciences, Islamic heritage, research fatwa and charity works.”
The Islamic message was being delivered through a moderate school of Islam by highly qualified and conversant individuals using the most advanced methodologies, he added.
''We are lending special care to new Muslims, providing them with all they need from audio-visual materials, books, lectures and training programmes in all languages so as to become true Muslims,” Al Shaibani said.
READERS' COMMENTS
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It's faith
Posted by Rula, Amman, Jordan on Monday 2 February 2009 at 12:15 UAE time
Islam is a simple religion that fosters peace, love and all that is good. and at the end of the day, even if non-Muslims revert to Islam or Muslims convert, beleif is what its all about. to be legally married to a non-Muslim wouldnt change what you truly beleive in, a document wont change what's inside you, it only helps you live in a country that enforces certain rules and regulations without having any obstacles [although i disagree with all laws enforcing to state religion and base decisions apon]. in my opinion, it is the intention of converting or rverting, and love is a good intention that happens to be the essence of Islam. as long as there is no harm done.
Posted by Rula, Amman, Jordan on Monday 2 February 2009 at 12:15 UAE time
Islam is a simple religion that fosters peace, love and all that is good. and at the end of the day, even if non-Muslims revert to Islam or Muslims convert, beleif is what its all about. to be legally married to a non-Muslim wouldnt change what you truly beleive in, a document wont change what's inside you, it only helps you live in a country that enforces certain rules and regulations without having any obstacles [although i disagree with all laws enforcing to state religion and base decisions apon]. in my opinion, it is the intention of converting or rverting, and love is a good intention that happens to be the essence of Islam. as long as there is no harm done.
To Didiala
Posted by Saeid on Sunday 1 February 2009 at 22:55 UAE time
Saeid IS my name and what I wrote WAS from personal experience.
Sharia law may not require a woman to convert to islam for marriage, but the local laws do
Posted by Saeid on Sunday 1 February 2009 at 22:55 UAE time
Saeid IS my name and what I wrote WAS from personal experience.
Sharia law may not require a woman to convert to islam for marriage, but the local laws do
Women do not have to Embrace Islam to Marry Muslims
Posted by didiala, Plane, Earth on Sunday 1 February 2009 at 07:36 UAE time
This is to all, and especially to saeid.
Women are not required to be or become Muslims to marry Muslim men.
Only men are, because they are the head of family and bear the responsibilities in Islam.
so, mr saeid, if that is your name, I am not sure about your "personal" experience!!.
You got it all wrong.
Posted by didiala, Plane, Earth on Sunday 1 February 2009 at 07:36 UAE time
This is to all, and especially to saeid.
Women are not required to be or become Muslims to marry Muslim men.
Only men are, because they are the head of family and bear the responsibilities in Islam.
so, mr saeid, if that is your name, I am not sure about your "personal" experience!!.
You got it all wrong.
Conversion
Posted by Saeid on Friday 30 January 2009 at 23:18 UAE time
I fully agree with Convert. There ARE people who move away from Islam, but will not talk about it, because there can be all sorts of prosecutions. Let's not forget the Egyptian clergy who issued a fatwa last year, saying converts away from Islam should be killed. And then retracted his comment.
Most converts here to Islam are women as stated. The reason for that is that they have married moslem men, or a man with an islamic name. So she HAS to convert to Islam to have their marriage attested by the courts here. It is not a choice. I am telling you this from personal experience.
And to ABUSIDRA, it is attitude like yours on implying that Christianity is a 'subset' of Islam and saying that these people have 'reverted' to Islam, that drives some people away from Islam.
Tolerance and acceptance should be not a rhetoric, but a part of your faith.
Posted by Saeid on Friday 30 January 2009 at 23:18 UAE time
I fully agree with Convert. There ARE people who move away from Islam, but will not talk about it, because there can be all sorts of prosecutions. Let's not forget the Egyptian clergy who issued a fatwa last year, saying converts away from Islam should be killed. And then retracted his comment.
Most converts here to Islam are women as stated. The reason for that is that they have married moslem men, or a man with an islamic name. So she HAS to convert to Islam to have their marriage attested by the courts here. It is not a choice. I am telling you this from personal experience.
And to ABUSIDRA, it is attitude like yours on implying that Christianity is a 'subset' of Islam and saying that these people have 'reverted' to Islam, that drives some people away from Islam.
Tolerance and acceptance should be not a rhetoric, but a part of your faith.
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