Ramadan Forum teaches moral values and ways to good health

Visitors of all ages and nationalities are flocking to the 13th edition of the Ramadan Forum, which kicked off on July 3.

Organised by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the 12-day forum is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.

The first lecture in Arabic was delivered by Dr Sheikh Saeed bin Misfir on ‘How to be Thankful for Blessings’.

Dr Bin Misfir spoke about a ‘triangle of grace’ whose three arms were religion and faith, security and stability, and a good standard of living. The second lecture by Sheikh Sulaiman Al Jubailan was on ‘Actions Without Words.’

He underlined the power of a smile as an example of a great ‘action without words’, calling it an international language that reaches people’s hearts directly.

Ibrahim Al Zayyat spoke on the ‘Tears of a Fasting Person’, explaining the importance of repentance with the goal of returning to God. God looks after those who embrace Islam during Ramadan and other times and always guides followers to the right path in life, he said.

A volunteer distibuting the Ramadan Forum brochure to a motorist.-Supplied photo

On the fourth day, Sheikh Khalid Ismail spoke on ‘Every Day He Brings Things For His Creation.’ If a person has faith that God brings things for his creation every day, he or she will enjoy a life filled with happiness and comfort, he said. People can get a stronger connection with the Almighty through prayers, he added.

The first Bengali lecture will be delivered by Sheikh Moti Ur-Rahman bin Abdul Hakeem today. He will speak on ‘Foundations of Ramadan’ while Sheikh Hussain Salafi will talk about ‘Patience: The Key to Paradise’ on Wednesday in Malayalam.

The first lecture in English is on Thursday. Well-known Indian speaker Dr Zakir Naik’s lecture will be on ‘If the Label Shows Your Intent, Wear It.’

Meanwhile, volunteers of the “Convoy of Goodness” campaign, part of the 13th Ramadan Forum, distributed over 5,000 bags with awareness and educational materials, including references to the Holy Quran and simplified Islamic booklets.

Hamad bin Mejren, Executive Director of Business Tourism for DTCM and general coordinator for the 13th Ramadan Forum, said the campaign is aimed to encourage residents to embrace the spirit of giving during the holy month. This year 18 volunteers have distributed more than 5,000 Ramadan Forum bags in different places in the emirate such as government departments, hospitals and markets.

As part of the Health of the Fasting Awareness Campaign, residents benefited from free medical check-ups sponsored by leading hospitals and clinics in Dubai.

On the first day, Dr Mohammad Azzam Kiasiah presented a short lecture titled the “Stomach is the Base of Illness”.

He encouraged the audience to adopt healthy eating habits during Ramadan in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “One-third for food, one-third for liquids and one-third for air.”

On the second day, Dr Haiman El Nahal, Sharjah International Holistic Health Centre general manager, spoke about Hijama, the traditional therapy of wet cupping. He discussed the wrong notions people harbour about the therapy and assured the listeners of its medical benefits.

Dr Anwar Dandashli, specialist dermatologist at the Saudi German Hospital, emphasised the importance of using sunscreen lotions to keep skin-related disorders at bay. He advised the use of sun protection oils not only for children, but also for light-skinned people.

On the fourth day, Dr Mohammad Hasaneen, consultant endocrinologist, spoke about diabetes.

During the Ramadan forum, all residents, heedless of their religions, can enjoy the Iftar experience with a programme designed to introduce the spirit of the blessed month of Ramadan to them.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com