Seven new converts perform Umrah

P.T. Abdul Rahman, supervisor of the delegation, said that this was the first Umrah visit for the new Muslims arranged by the department. They left Dubai on April 28 and returned on May 8. "It was a great trip for the new Muslims. They were crying when doing Tawaf Al Widah," he said.

The delegation, which also visited the holy city of Madinah and offered prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque in the city, was led by Abdul Latif Al Hashemi, head of the New Muslim Section.

The seven men were from Russia, China, India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, and had embraced Islam at the New Muslim Section. They were given training for performing Umrah and lessons in Arabic language while in Dubai as well as in Saudi Arabia. The visit was coordinated by Mohammad Pfuzai.

Jasim Philip Steves, an Filipino accountant, is very happy as he has returned with warm feelings. "I never expected this trip to take place. At last, I reached the Holy Kaaba. I am very thankful to Allah. I hope my mother in Abu Dhabi will also embrace Islam," he said.

Mohammad, a Russian fitness coach, felt he was in paradise. "My soul and heart are filled with wonderful feeling. I can't describe them. It is not easy for me to cry because I am a boxer, but cried a lot during visits to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. I feel clean and pure," he said. He said that he prayed for his father and mother, who are in Russia, and hoped that they will be Muslims soon.

He said that as a child in Russia, during the Communist days, he used to ask his mother if there was God. "She always replied ‘Yes, there is’. Today, I am happy that I have found God," he said.

Mohammad Anas, an Indian working in the butchery of a supermarket, said that nobody could feel the way his heart felt during the Tawaf and after the Umrah. "I used to pray at Kaaba till 2am and again return for morning prayer at 4am. I understand Islam better now. There is a complete change in me now," he added.

Abdullah, an Indian helper at the municipality, said that his trust in Allah took him for Umrah. "I am on a straight path. I am weak as a human being. Allah is strong. I did not want to return and now I want to go there again," he added.

Mohammad Hussain, a Sri Lankan working in the housekeeping department of a hotel, said that he was very happy to have undertaken the visit to the holy places.

Ishaq Daxinma, a Chinese cashier, said that the visit was very good for new Muslims and helped them understand Islam better. Abdullah Francis Aloot, a Filipino messenger/office boy, said that he felt very good that he is a better Muslim than before.