Dubai: The first foreign language lectures on Islam organised as part of the 10th Ramadan Forum were to commence Thursday at a special tent near Al Twar Centre, in Dubai's Al Twar 2 area.
The four-day event upholding the theme of ‘Faith and security' is aimed at developing better cultural understanding among various nationalities living in the UAE.
Starting every night at 10 pm until Sunday, Muslim scholars from the Philippines, US, UK and India will deliberate on Islamic teachings and principles at the venue.
The event is open to people of all faiths, according to Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the organisers.
Former rap artist, musician and actor Amir Junaid Hawkins formerly known as Loon from the US, will talk about his ‘Pursuit of happiness' from Bad Boy to Muslim on Friday, while Briton and orator Abdul Rahim Anthony Green will interact with the audiences on Saturday evening following his speech.
Spreading the message
Omar Penalber of the Phillippines will open the forum today while Mohammmad M. Akbar of India will deliver a talk in Malayalam on August 14, the concluding day. Penalber, who delivers lectures in Tagalog, last year inspired 114 women and three men to embrace Islam through his inspiring talk and a question and answer session with the audience. Khalid A. Bin Sulayem, director general of the DTCM, said, "Once again we are experiencing the inspirational month of Ramadan, thanking Almighty Allah that he has enabled us to reach it again, to be a benefit for us in this worldly life and the Hereafter, and to help us to strive in his obedience and acts of worship.
"This year we celebrate the arrival of the Ramadan Forum, in its tenth session under the theme ‘Faith and security', completing its first decade and we pray to Allah that it will continue for decades more," he added.
