09 June, 2019, Dubai, UAE

Ramadan Dubai 2019 ends its first edition, which began on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, attracting around half million worshipers from across most mosques in the emirate, and a host of 123 readers from inside and outside the country who revived the year of the Prophet, peace be upon him, through the performance of the prayer ritual Taraweeh throughout the nights of the holy month with their beautiful and influential voices.

Ramadan Dubai was organized by the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, during the days of mercy and forgiveness. A group of speakers, muftis, preachers and specialists in the religious, social and economic fields presented a range of activities including Ramadan Majlises, educational and interactive lectures and Iftaa sessions, as well as the establishment of the World in Ramadan Exhibition under the theme “Ramadan Dubai…Compassion and Coexistence”.

The event hosted a famous readers such as  Mishary bin Rashid Al-Afasy (Kuwait), Sa'ad bin Saeed Al-Ghamidi (Saudi Arabia), Idris Abaker (Yemen), Adel Abdullah Rayyan Yemen), Fahed Wasel Al-Mutairi (Kuwait), Hamza Al Far (Jordan), Koutaiba Al Zuwaid (Kuwait), Mohammed Mubarak Al Faw (Bahrain), Rabov Cerato (Tajikistan), Ahmed bin Bashar Sheikhi (Saudi Arabia), Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Abdul Rahman Ibrahim Al Suwaid and Omar Abdul Aziz Al Kanadi from UAE.

HE Dr. Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department and Chairman of the Higher Committee of Ramadan Dubai, presented his joyful Eid al Fitr greetings to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and their brethren, the rest of the rulers of the UAE, crown princes, rulers’ deputies, as well as to the residents of the United Arab Emirates and residents and people from the Arab and Islamic nations.

Al Shaibani stressed the importance of charitable and voluntary work and the dissemination of noble and human values, especially in the holy month of Ramadan, as they reflect the values, teachings and principles of Islam and its laws, and echo the values of tolerance adopted by the UAE as a well-established method of life most especially in this year's UAE Year of Tolerance.

Al Shaibani said 'The organization of Ramadan Dubai is part of the Plan of Activities and Initiatives launched by the Islamic Department in response to the 2019 UAE Year of Tolerance, an initiative of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to spread the values ​​of Islam and the spirit of tolerance among all segments of society. This aims to promote the values ​​of peaceful co-existence, acceptance of diversity, pluralism and respect for others through the application of the principles of the Holy Quran and Sunnah by providing a variety of educational, entertainment and interactive programs and activities targeting all groups and segments of society including men, women, children, the elderly, families of different religions and nationalities as a whole, as well as officials and employees of government institutions and the private sector.'

The event witnessed the organization of more than 70 educational and interactive lectures benefiting more than 10000 people, in order to achieve the objectives of Ramadan Dubai which aims to establish partnerships with government departments and to encourage them to organize interactive educational programs for employees and clients during the holy month, as well as spreading the values of Islam and the spirit of tolerance among citizens and residents of various Arab and foreign communities.

The Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities  organized around 200 Ifta sessions during the holy month benefiting more than 13000 of people, to raise their awareness on the most important issues and their Shari'a rulings.

Mr. Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Executive Director of the Charity Work Sector at  IACAD, General Coordinator of Ramadan Dubai, said: 'A full program has been prepared before the start of the holy month of Ramadan, which is based on organizing the Fatwa sessions covering various places in the Emirate of Dubai, either through mosques or in coordination with some government departments. A team of Mufti from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department has been appointed to clarify and explain the various Shari'a provisions pertaining to general religious issues, especially the month of Ramadan, in order to overcome all difficulties of the people who are fasting and to answer their questions and queries to the fullest extent. Through the organization of these sessions, the Department seeks to educate the public about the Shari'a rulings in various areas of life from reliable sources, so that people cannot receive false Fatwas and they can avoid resorting to incorrect ideas.'

One of the highlights of the 'The World in Ramadan' platform was a special ceremony honouring new Muslims who converted to Islam during the holy month of Ramadan 1440H, in the presence of the UAE Knights of Tolerance. The ceremony included an excerpt from the stories of new Muslims who expressed their happiness at embracing the Islamic religion after witnessing and living on the land of the good and peaceful UAE, and touching the values of tolerance, brotherhood, compassion, love, justice and equality. The ceremony also included the announcement of the new Muslims who were given certificates by religious specialists from the Department.