In this file photo, Filipinos pose for a group photo along with officials.

Statistics from the Cooperative Office for Guidance & Community Enlightenment (Dawah) in Al-Rawda have revealed that 4,219 persons converted to Islam during the last Hijri year. The figure included 1818 men and 2401 women from 181 countries.

The office said that its program targets non-Muslim communities residing in the Kingdom, including those of both sexes, as well as other non-Muslim communities across the world, through its website, www.IslamReligion.com. The website has special programs that explain the true meaning of Islam to those who may not have been well-informed beforehand. Additionally, the office noted that the programs actually also target Muslims so that they can be reminded of the teachings of their religion, and can carry them with them always in order to practice them in reality.

Sheikh Tawfeeq Al-Sharhan, head of the Cooperative Office, has noted that the majority of converts to Islam have read about the religion and found it to be convincing, and to meet their aspirations and desires. It is for this reason that they have been willing to take the plunge.

“From this point of view we should, as preachers, do all we can do to spread this religion in every way we can, and to teach the new Muslims everything about their religion through lectures, seminars and lessons,” he explained.

He added the office provides them with books, pamphlets and recordings in their mother language to help them acquire the necessary Islamic sciences.

Al-Sharhan concluded by saying that we must all review our ‘inner-selves’ to see what we have accomplished in our religious lives this past year, stressing the fact that their entrusted mission to spread the Islamic religion is a great honor and a big responsibility for which all sectors and segments of society must join together in order to be successful.

 
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