Dubai, August 29: The Ninth Ramadan Forum on Friday witnessed 125 Filipinos —122 women and 3 men — embracing Islam after an impressive lecture delivered in Tagalog by prominent Filipino scholar Omar Penalbar. With this, the number of conversions at the forum has increased to 159, including 151 during the seven non-Arabic lecture series.
The lecture titled “The Message of Islam” was the last in a seven-lecture series targeting non-Arab Muslim and non-Muslim communities as part of the forum activities being held at Al Twar-2 area, opposite Dubai Airport, Terminal-2.
Of the new Muslims converted on Friday was Emmanuel, known as Manu, who came to the forum out of curiosity but amazingly did not stop crying all along the lecture.
“When I heard about the lecture, I was very keen to come and listen, but I did not know how to go as I am staying in Jumeirah. Unexpectedly, Allah sent me an Arab friend who offered me a lift to and from the forum,” he said. Manu, who has been working in a TV channel since 2006, felt blessed to have this chance. “I feel different. All my sins are washed up and all my ‘black points (bad deeds) have become green (good deeds). I am born anew,” he told Khaleej Times. “I am no longer alone. My new brothers in Islam are all around me. I am very happy to know the true religion. This adds more responsibility on me to tell my family and friends about this merciful and tolerant religion. There is still hope; we can start a new chapter of our life again,” he said.
In his lecture, Sheikh Omar talked about the message of Islam, its tolerance and lenience. “Islam is the last divine message and its followers must believe in all messengers and apostles.”
Sheikh Omar said about 99 people embraced Islam in one night after he gave a lecture in Philippines. “But tonight is the biggest for me. The 125 new Muslims broke my old record,” he said, adding for further information, people may contact the Kalemah Islamic Centre at 04-2644115, or at www.kalemah.org.
Administrator of Ramadan Forum, Mohammed Al Hashemi, said Filipino people are very kind-hearted. “Knowing about Islam, they convert individually and in groups. Valuable gifts and books on Islam are then given to all new Muslims to know more about the teachings of their religion.” The Ninth Ramadan Forum concluded on Saturday night with an Arabic lecture titled ‘Sulaiman Hoopoe’ by popular Saudi scholar Dr Sheikh Mohammad Al Uraifi.
1 comment:
Mashaallah ! Never heard of so many people converting in one day. Alhamdoulillah Allah has blessed them with this deen on this Blessed month of Ramadan :)
Post a Comment