Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department organize Ramadan Dubai Majlis

16 May 2019, Dubai, UAE: Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, hosted a number of youth and promising dignitaries at Ramadan Dubai Majlis, an activity under the Ramadan Dubai project held in Dubai on Tuesday evening, the ninth day of Ramadan. This was in coordination with the majlis of H.E. Issa Al-Sirkal. The dialogue included constructive sessions aimed at promoting the convergence of generations, sustaining the message of the elders, listening to ideas of the youth and supporting them in accordance with the needs of the times, fostering the spirit of belongingness to the homeland while attaching the teachings of the true religion and loyalty to good leadership. This further seeks to spread the good word during the Ramadan season and benefit from its wisdom through economic, social and cultural paths. The plan for the dialogue include the department visiting majlises and sit for a discussion with dignitaries to promote the spirit of integrated society within the context of tolerance and advocate within the community authentic values based on Qur’an. 

The session started with a speech by Dr. Omar Al Khatib, Executive Director of the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Sector( IACAD), shared that the activities of the department in the past years including its sponsorship endeavours were all in support to anything related to Islamic economy, and to the initiatives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the capital of the Islamic economy. This is in light with the recommendation made by leading researchers in the field which states that implementation of this idea is possible with the presence of strategic partners in this area. Al-Khatib also noted that the department, in cooperation with theDubai Centre for the Development of the Islamic Economy, is keen to activate the important aspects of life and to discuss them rightfully to study their social and economic dimensions. Among these were issues dealt with in the last forum sponsored by the Department discussing Islamic finance issues, industries and products which include Halal food and beverages, medicines and cosmetics, Islamic arts and cultures, design and fashion, family tourism and the necessities of its development and the means required for its sustainability. Among other issues discussed were the impact of happiness to an individual and society, consumption and its relevance to lifestyle, investment opportunities, innovation, digital economy, and the fourth industrial revolution and how it controls and influences. On the concept of design and the arts, its innovation and in the provision of Islamic style in fashion, film industry and information programs, family tourism from the perspective of Islamic culture, it was stressed that the Islamic Dubai will allot rightful and appropriate lawful solutions through practices under Islam. 

Mr. Butti Al Jumairi, Executive Director of Institutional Support Sector ( IACAD),  , answered questions from the audience on the role of the department in supporting the Islamic economy, pointing out that the department had its orientation and efforts in education and writing in aspects of the Islamic economy. The department developed the Islamic Education in 2013 through educational courses and publications. This was made after the announcement of the initiatives through a series of forums. It also expanded the framework of the workshops and forums to include groups of imams, preachers, muftis, researchers and preachers, and to promote a culture of awareness of their banking jurisprudence. In the field of Islamic economy, the concept of Islamic economy covered the legitimacy and benefits of savings, the importance of financial planning for the stability of the family, the difference between commercial insurance and cooperative insurance, the idea, characteristics and applications of Islamic bank, the replacement of the waqf and the role of waqf funds to support charitable and legitimate institutions, and the zakat of debts. Another book, “The Islamic Economy and its Pillars”, was published this year and is considered comprehensive of economic meanings based on the Islamic perspective. Al-Jumairi said, “As for strategic policies in the development of Islamic economy, our strategic partners have the final say.”

In the light of this, Dr. Abdullah Al-Awar, CEO of Dubai Islamic Economic Development Center, said: 'Through its partnership with Dubai Islamic Bank, the Center seeks to support Dubai as the capital of the Islamic economy, as well as those related to development. Initiatives and trends that do not deviate from the global tracks controlling the economy, and what distinguishes the nation in Islamic banking is the reliance on the assets, and the calculations subject to halal practices and mechanisms, wherein Muslims deal with Islamic banks in support of some projects at the local and global levels. 

Al-Awar also called upon the Chamber to sponsor these majlises during the holy month and discuss topics which are core to our practical life and which are directly related to the Islamic faith and the religion of Islam. He thanked the hosts, the Serkal family, and thanked the audience for the opportunity, stressing that the Islamic economy requires great cooperation between specialized agencies and its legitimacy needs to be established to reach societies and institutions to share about Islamic banking. He also mentioned that the Central Bank is focusing on Islamic economy from the depths of its principles, and that the Center has rejuvenated many initiatives such as the Islamic sukuk and the Islamic bonds, pointing out that Dubai is a global center for such initiatives.

Further, the “Halal” initiative launch in Dubai 2014 has set the standards for many products to meet the international standards and legitimacy. 

In order to develop the work in this field, the Center, in collaboration with its partners in 2016, launched the Global Forum in Halal Products and Industry, which included non-Islamic countries in its membership. This is to emphasize that common controls and standards are met by 35 countries where main factories for some of the needs of Islamic countries come from. He pointed out that the Center and its partners are working to produce and develop initiatives, develop them to harvest their fruits locally and internationally, and to contribute to raising domestic production. Statistics show that the Islamic economy has a significant impact on local production in Dubai. This is a direct contribution to support local production at the level of two sectors, and this year the level of impact of all sectors will be measured, to determine the real size of the contribution of the Islamic economy to support domestic production.

He also stressed the role of the Islamic economy in supporting and operating the soft power in the UAE, which has strengthened the level of influence of the Islamic economic system in the world, and maintained the reputation of moderate Islam in all international forums. He also praised the role of media in supporting the initiative to make Dubai the capital of Islamic economy in all areas. 

For his part, Mufi Sheikh Mohammed Hassan Al-Taher pointed to the role of slandering the legitimacy of the public, especially in the areas of funds, standing, selling, buying, halal and haram and that awareness has increased to redouble the efforts to turn public desires into clear choices in a qualitative shift of questions from the jurisprudence of prayer to transactions of all kinds. He pointed out the efforts of the Ifta Dubai on the issues of Islamic economics and the necessities of the times, and requirements for the advancement of a Muslim’s knowledge on the provisions of his life within the parameters of Islamic laws, praising the role of the Department and its partners in finding how to fill the void found in the modern Muslim life. 

The seminar was attended by a number of dignitaries, consultants and businessmen from Dubai, in addition to public figures, and those who have an interest in cultural and economic affairs.