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Dubai sees significant rise in new Muslims

Up to 2,815 residents and visitors from 91 nationalities converted to Islam last year as compared to 2,269 in 2013.

A group of new Muslims attending an awareness lecture at the Dar Al Ber Society.— Supplied photo

Dubai — Hosting more than 200 nationalities and being an epitome of peaceful coexistence that allows freedom of religion to all, the Emirate of Dubai saw a significant rise in the number of new Muslims in 2014.

Up to 2,815 residents and visitors from 91 nationalities converted to Islam last year as compared to 2,269 in 2013 – an increase of 546 persons, according to a top official of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai (IACAD).

Dr Omar Al Khatib, Executive Director for Islamic Affairs Sector, IACAD, said last week that the majority of the fresh converts were women. “The new converts comprised 2,047 women and 768 men.”

The conversions were the fruit of tireless integrated work from all sections, and staffers of the department who spare no effort to show and reflect the merciful teachings of Islam, he added.

“Islam is a religion of tranquility and civilisation that best suits the past, present, and future; it respects man’s mind and supports peaceful coexistence and freedom of religion.” In September 2014, all members of a local Cameroonian football team, including their coach and priestess, converted to Islam after a training camp at the IACAD.

Yusra Al Gaud, acting director of cultivation and religious orientation at IACAD, said the New Muslim Section staff preachers exert their utmost to enlighten residents and visitors how Islam is a humanitarian religion that takes care of all requirements of man’s body and soul.

“The new converts knew how tolerant and peaceful Islam is and that it guarantees eternal happiness in this life and in the Hereafter,” she said, adding that most of the new converts attributed their conversion to the tolerance and humane values and principles of Islam and the kindness they experienced from Muslims.

Huda Alkaabi, head of the New Muslims Section at IACAD, said Islam is a peaceful religion which never discriminates among people because of their colour, languages, race or religion.

“IACAD provides new Muslims with all the facilities needed to help them truly embrace Islam, officially document their conversion, and reply to all their queries about the teachings of their new religion.” Non-Muslims and new converts are also provided with all possible information, through CDs, cassettes, and booklets on Islam in different languages and in an easy, attractive and persuasive way, she added.

Alkaabi told Khaleej Times that IACAD has seen 17,704 new Muslims – with almost 65 per cent being women — over the period from 1996 to 2011. “A unified certificate is issued to authenticate a new Muslim’s conversion to Islam in association with the Dubai Courts.”