Students pose in front of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture.

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

A total of 1,248 students, of 49 nationalities, from six continents, benefited from the courses organised by the Department of Students’ Affairs at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture.

Run by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD), the centre’s data indicated that age of students ranged from 9 years to 72 years, which underscores the inclusive nature of the center’s courses.

Courses organised by the Department of Students’ Affairs last year included special courses for residents of the UAE, including Filipinos, Pakistanis, Indians, Singaporean, French, Turkish and Ethiopian nationals.

Furthermore, New Muslims courses, Ramadan Forum, Children Summer courses, and Student’s Needs courses also took place. All the courses witnessed interest from students of various cultural and religious backgrounds, seeking to learn more about tolerance of Islam and Islamic culture.

Hind Mohammed Lootah, Director of Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture, stressed that the message of the centre is civilisational and humanitarian at its core. It seeks to promote tolerance and moderate Islam, as well as to introduce the residents to the richness of Arabic and Islamic civilisation.

Lootah reiterated IACAD’s contribution, as well as that of its affiliated departments and centres, in organising the courses. IACAD provided lecturers and professors, who provided their expertise to enhance the courses.

Shamsa Mohammed Bin Shafie, Head of the Department of Students' Affairs, said, “In the past year, the Department of Students’ Affairs was keen that all residents in the country, both Muslims and non-Muslims, benefit from the specialised courses on offer.

The courses were multi-lingual, and aimed at increasing the base of beneficiaries and introducing them to Islam and its values. This year, we will further build upon what we have achieved thus far, by employing the best educational methodology. This is in order to attract more residents in the UAE to learn about Islamic culture.”

Earlier in December 2019, Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture organised a ceremony to celebrate distinguished students from the Department of Students' Affairs courses in 2019. It was attended by over 150 students, their families, teachers and centre employees.