In Qatar - 1,400 embrace Islam

 

1,400 embrace Islam
A total of 1,400 people converted to Islam at the Qatar Islamic Cultural Centre (Fanar) this year, according to a recent report issued by the centre.

The 2008-2009 annual report, which highlighted the Fanar�s achievements, said that the new Muslims were from 20 different nationalities and religions.

About the reasons behind their acceptance of Islam, the report cited marriage to a Muslim, the Muslims� way of life, reading about Islam, unconvinced about the previous faith among other reasons.

Aisha, a 51-year-old Russian expatriate, was quoted as saying that she converted from Christianity after reading about Islam in Qatar, while Sally, a Lebanese expatriate, said her decision to get married to a Muslim was a main factor and that she was more convinced of accepting Jesus Christ as a prophet of God rather than a son.

George, who became Abdullah, said his colleagues at work helped him to understand Islam, while Moaz said he was a Hindu and decided to embrace Islam to escape from the stigma of being branded as Dalit in his previous faith.

Fanar seeks to motivate non-Muslims to become more informed about Islam, by diffusing Islamic culture through multiple styles and means.
The centre offers several programmes for non-Arabs as well as non-Muslims, including courses on the Arabic language, Arabic calligraphy and Islamic arts, Islamic Shari�ah.

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Note: Qatar is a tiny country with population only several hundred thousands. So, 1400 is a big number.