The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

The Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai, organised a special ceremony to honour new Muslims who converted to Islam during the holy month of Ramadan at the waterfalls area of Dubai Mall.

The event sent a great and valuable message to spread the values of Islam and the spirit of tolerance between citizens and residents in the homeland from the Arab and foreign communities, and invite all members of different communities to learn about the principles of Islam by involving them in various programmes.

The ceremony included an excerpt from the stories of new Muslims who expressed their happiness at embracing the Islamic religion after witnessing the peace and goodness of the UAE, which touches the values of tolerance, brotherhood, compassion, love, justice and equality. The ceremony also included the announcement of a number of new Muslims by the elders from the Department.  Representatives from the Dubai Islamic and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, together with representatives from the Association for the Care of the Minors, honoured about 20 people with appreciation and gifts.

Earlier, Dr. Sulaiman Al Rihili, a Saudi scholar and a teacher at the Holy Prophet’s Mosque, delivered a religious lecture after Taraweeh prayer entitled ‘Fear a day when you will return to God’ at Al Salam Mosque in Al Barsha, in one of the activities of Ramadan Dubai, a project organised by the Dubai Islamic and Charitable Activities Department under the theme “Ramadan Dubai Compassion and Coexistence”.

Al Rahili talked about the virtues of Ramadan and how to seize the days of fasting and how to keep the practice, and to be mindful when reciting the Holy Quran.

Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Executive Director of the Charity Work Sector at IACAD, and the General Coordinator of Dubai Municipality, extended his greetings to Sheikh Sulaiman Al Rahili on behalf of the Department and gave him a certificate of thanks and appreciation.

As part of the month-long activities, Ramadan Dubai, a lecture was organised that stressed the importance of promoting the principles that support the sustainability of the family’s happiness and stability, and provide all means to achieve and ensure social balance. This was made clear within the context that a happy family is the cornerstone for building a cohesive society, with children blessed with sound education, good upbringing and psychosocial well-being.