Abu Dhabi: The important role played by imams and scholars in guiding members of society to the right path has been praised by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,
During his visit to the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE) in Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Mohammad urged the scholars to encourage youth to strive towards education and to follow the sunnas of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and spread tolerance and other noble Islamic values.
Shaikh Mohammad was briefed by Hamdan Al Mazroui, Chairman of GAIAE on the authority’s activities and initiatives to spread the culture of Islam and religious awareness in the community and on the plans and projects carried out by the authority to spread values of tolerance and moderation in society.
Al Mazroui briefed Shaikh Mohammad on the authority’s emiratisation initiative to employ Emirati imams in mosques around the UAE, which stand at a total of 4,750 mosques. He also explained the GAIAE’s efforts to facilitate the process of helping non-Arabic speakers understand sermons.
Inspected centre
Al Mazroui pointed out that Friday sermons in 65 mosques across the UAE are translated into English and Urdu.
Shaikh Mohammad inspected a Quran memorisation centre, where he met with students and listened to their recitation of the Quran,
Shaikh Mohammad then visited the official Ifta Centre where he was briefed by employees about their duties. The Ifta Centre issues around 1,200-1,300 fatwas via calls on a daily basis, adding that this number reaches 3,000 during Ramadan.
Shaikh Mohammad congratulated imams and scholars on the advent of Ramadan and urged the scholars to encourage youth to strive towards learning and educating themselves and to follow the sunnas of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH.)
At the conclusion of the visit, Shaikh Mohammad expressed his satisfaction with the efforts of the authority to serve Muslims and Islam. He praised the care and support given by the Authority to mosques around the UAE.
