Clubwise: November 16, 2002

Every week, we bring you the latest on the UAE's clubs, associations and groups. We choose one each time and profile it, highlighting its purpose and activities. We also bring you bits of news from other such groups. So that you know what is happening when, where and why.

This week: Discover Islam Centre

Discover Islam Centre is one of the first da'awa (awareness) centres for non-Arabs started in the UAE over two decades ago.

Inaugurated in 1993 under the legal umbrella of Dar-Al-Bir, a private charity organisation which recognised the need to start such an institution, it was initiated by Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips, an Islamic scholar and graduate of the prestigious Medina University and author of over 25 Islamic books. Today, the centre has grown into one of the most distinguished Islamic institutions in the UAE.

"The whole world's coming to Dubai, and many Muslims felt that non-Muslims live here for years, sometimes for as long as 20, 30 years, and still don't know anything about Islam. And even if they wanted to, there was no one they could approach and ask, or no material, books for instance especially in languages other than Arabic or English, where they could get information from. And that's what we wanted to provide, a place where people can approach and ask their questions, clear any doubts; a place where they can get books about anything they would want to know about, and lectures in their respective languages," says Othman Barry, a Da'awa worker connected with Discover Islam for the last 10 years.

Address

Situated in the Venus Restaurant building, Karama, the centre has a well-stocked lending library of more than 1,000 books on every conceivable subject with a Dh100 membership fee.

The atmosphere is serene and the staff is friendly. For anyone with a query on Islam, whether a Muslim clarifying a point or a non-Muslim wanting to find out more about Islam, the carefully chosen books in the library are a great source of information.

Telephone queries

One can even ask questions or clarify doubts over the phone, as there is someone always at the centre to answer queries or put you through the right channels.

Languages

The emphasis is on English, Tagalog and Malayalam languages and the centre produces many booklets and audio tapes in these languages. "These are the three main languages of the new converts," says Barry, "and though the number of converts varies from month to month, last year we had over 70 people who wanted to embrace Islam, from Hindu school boys to housewives and elderly British couples, Alhamdulillah," he explains.

"The publishing and distribution of the audio cassettes and books are done in two ways. Either we have an idea for a tape or a booklet, and we get funding to produce or publish it, or someone decides to produce a cassette or book and we distribute them. The books and cassettes we print for Da'awa or Islamic awareness purposes are of course free. Our brothers and sisters can help us by distributing these booklets, perhaps to their colleagues or whoever they wish to. They just have to contact us and give us their postal address. We will send the relevant material free of charge."

Work hours

The centre is open Saturday to Wednesday, from 9.00am to noon and from 4.00pm to 8.00pm, and is open for classes and lectures during the weekend.

Weekly classes and lectures

- Islamic studies in English is 7.00pm onwards on Thursdays.
- Tagalog lecture, from 9.00am to noon on Fridays.
- Malayalam lectures, 7.00pm onwards on Fridays.
- Holy Quran lessons for children at 3.30pm, from Saturday to Wednesday.
- Islamic classes for women on Tuesday afternoons.
- Arabic classes held for different levels weekly.