UAE | Heritage and Culture
American imams to be trained in the UAE
A number of American mosque imams will be trained in Islamic philosophy at the Zayed House for Islamic Culture in Al Ain, an American Muslim intellectual said.
- By Samir Salama, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 February 25, 2007
- Image Credit:
- "The UAE was selected because it is a unique example of tolerant multi-cultural society," says Khalid Abu Bakr Ahmad.
Abu Dhabi: A number of American mosque imams will be trained in Islamic philosophy at the Zayed House for Islamic Culture in Al Ain, an American Muslim intellectual said.
"The UAE was selected because it is a unique example of a tolerant multi-cultural society and a cosmopolitan nation that has held on to traditional Islamic values. American imams will feel very comfortable being trained in the UAE," Khalid Abu Bakr Ahmad, President of the National Congress of American Muslim Youth, told Gulf News.
He said the American imams will be trained in the UAE because there is no facility to train American imams in the US.
"There are no specific qualifications for becoming an imam in the US. The imams' training will focus on moderate Islamic ideology, Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) for Muslims in non-Muslim countries, Islamic Family Law [inheritance, divorce, child custody] and principles of Islamic banking and finance."
Mansoor Al Minhali, chairman of the Zayed House for Islamic Culture, said he was extremely happy that the house will provide training to the American Imams.
"The Zayed House for Islamic Culture, thanks to the continuous support of the UAE leaders, endeavours to promote tolerance and co-existence among Muslims and non-Muslims."
The president of the Washington-based cong-ress said the primary objective of the programme is to educate the imams in Islamic ideology.
"The imams will be equipped with knowledge to spread Islam's universal message of peace and tolerance to their respective communities. They will also be equipped with tools needed to engage in meaningful inter-faith dialogue," he said.
Khalid believes all Muslims have a role to play to defend Islam against an anti-Muslim bias. "Every Muslim has a divine obligation to be an 'ambassador' of the Prophet (PBUH)."
More from UAE Heritage & Culture
More from UAE
Latest news
- Sharjah boy tops Indian board's class 12 exams
- Dubai number plates auction raises Dh27m
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Smart e-Gate system launched
- Cyber infidelity creeping out of virtual domain
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
