Ramadan Kareem

[I Know]

Yusuf Estes (born in 1944) is an American Muslim preacher and teacher who converted from Christianity to Islam in 1991

[PaulDubai]

Originally Posted by I Know

Yusuf Estes (born in 1944) is an American Muslim preacher and teacher who converted from Christianity to Islam in 1991

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMvxtW7TAJs">YouTube Link</a>

So he was a devout Christian who accepted Jesus into his heart and was guaranteed a place in Heaven then he changed his mind?

Now that he has accepted Allah as the only god, he still gets to go to heaven, right?

Is it the same heaven? Very confusing if you think about it too much, isn't it? Or do Christians not go to heaven unless they convert?

The more I look into it, the more confused I am......wish I could get some answers...

[I Know]

On the sidelines of their first Iftar, new converts tell XPRESS
what motivated them to take the leap of faith
By Jay B. Hilotin Chief Reporter
Published: 15:51 August 9, 2012


DUBAI Over 200 Filipinos have embraced Islam since Ramadan began in July, XPRESS has learnt.

“This is only our rough estimate and we really don’t want to parade or make a big deal out of these numbers,” said Wafa Kasimieh, a Filipina senior advisor to Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD). “Kabayans are walking in every day to embrace Islam at various Islamic centres across Dubai, so it’s hard to keep track.”

Kasimieh was speaking at an iftar on Wednesday night attended by over 100 new Filipino Muslims in Dubai. The iftar was organised by IACAD and graced by Philippine Consul General to Dubai Benito Valeriano and Labour Attache Delmer Cruz.

One of the recent converts in Dubai is Malak Arias, 37, who left Catholicism and changed her name Christina to Malak. “I used to visit Islamic centres in Abu Dhabi, Karama and Deira to attend classes. It took me five years to come to a decision that I needed to go back to the religion of my forefathers,” said the civil engineer from Paranaque. “Many of our heroes like Lapu-Lapu, the ruler of Mactan, and Rajah Sulaiman, the ruler of Manila when the Spanish colonisers came, were Muslims.”

But more than her country’s history, what guided her decision was personal. “In the past, whenever I had problems,” said Malak, “I would simply cry non-stop. The emotional turmoil within me was just too heavy. The only relative I have here is my brother, who is usually away due to his work. Now, I have found a big family among the Muslim sisters here. I’m still a baby in my new faith, but I understand enough to guide me to this decision,” said Malak, who earned her civil engineering degree from the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP).

Josephine Lazona, 32, chose Aisha as her Muslim name when she embraced Islam on July 20, the first day of Ramadan this year. Aisha grew up a Catholic in Sultan Kudarat. The former teacher moved to Dubai in 2008 to work as an administrative assistant in Jebel Ali. “In February, I enrolled in a free Arabic class. All this time, I’ve been searching for answers to difficult questions about my faith,” she said. “As I progressed with my Arabic, my mind was opened. I’ve been seeking answers for years and asked God for a sign, which I got on the night of July 19th when I thought of cooking my favourite pork ‘adobo’ (a popular Filipino dish). Suddenly, I had an unexplained aversion to it. Even the thought of cooking pork adobo made me feel like throwing up.”

The next day, she told her Arabic teacher about her desire to become a Muslim. “My teacher, Sister Ana, was shocked. She never talked to me about converting to Islam. I came to this decision on my own.”

A former born-again Christian, Noriel Magtanong, 36, from Bicol, chose Nuh(Arabic for Noah) as his new Muslim name. “I used to join Christian services, yet I remained an alcoholic. Meanwhile, I’ve been observing Muslims as they pray. One early morning, I woke up and walked around in Dubai and saw them praying. It was a perfect moment. I wanted to surrender myself to God like they do. I saw their spirit of unity, despite their differences. Now, I’ve kicked alcohol altogether.”

Conversions among Filipinos are common in Dubai. In 2010, a total of 125 women from the Philippines embraced Islam. Ahmad Malagueno, 44, a Dubai aircraft maintenance technician who embraced Islam seven years ago, teaches Arabic at Al Sahhaba Centre in Abu Hail on Fridays.

“Before, I used to hate Muslims — but it turned out it was due to my own ignorance. Today, I see Filipinos here embracing Islam almost every day. On July 27, I saw 25 people embracing Islam after a symposium conducted by Filipino Islamic preacher. Only Allah knows the actual numbers today.”

http://gulfnews.com/about-gulf-news/...ubai-1.1059949

[I Know]

Sheikh Yusuf Estes, who has been named the Islamic Personality of the Year in the 16th session of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA), while talking to the media at the DIHQA head office in Al Twar on Wednesday.



More info here - http://yusufestes.com/

[firoz bharmal]

Originally Posted by PaulDubai

So he was a devout Christian who accepted Jesus into his heart and was guaranteed a place in Heaven then he changed his mind?

Now that he has accepted Allah as the only god, he still gets to go to heaven, right?

Is it the same heaven? Very confusing if you think about it too much, isn't it? Or do Christians not go to heaven unless they convert?

The more I look into it, the more confused I am......wish I could get some answers...

Lots of missionaries doing same thing to convert in Christianity in Nigeria and Ethiopia....you can asked to them the same question also.....!

[PaulDubai]

Originally Posted by firoz bharmal

Lots of missionaries doing same thing to convert in Christianity in Nigeria and Ethiopia....you can asked to them the same question also.....!

How can I ask them? Do you have an email for them? Can't you answer any of my questions? Can anybody here shed some light my way?

[Imre]

Eid Mubarak!

[I Know]

Seems like you have not tried to ask any questions.....

Originally Posted by I Know

Please forward your question to http://www.iacad.gov.ae/EN/Pages/FatwaAdmin.aspx

I am sure they will be more than happy to help

Also you may find further info at - findoutwhy.co.uk

Originally Posted by PaulDubai

Thank you for the link....

Originally Posted by PaulDubai

How can I ask them? Do you have an email for them? Can't you answer any of my questions? Can anybody here shed some light my way?

[I Know]

[PaulDubai]

Originally Posted by I Know

Seems like you have not tried to ask any questions.....

Originally Posted by PaulDubai

So he was a devout Christian who accepted Jesus into his heart and was guaranteed a place in Heaven then he changed his mind?

Now that he has accepted Allah as the only god, he still gets to go to heaven, right?

Is it the same heaven? Very confusing if you think about it too much, isn't it? Or do Christians not go to heaven unless they convert?

The more I look into it, the more confused I am......wish I could get some answers...

Anything that ends with a question mark (?) is infact a question...

[I Know]

Please forward your question to http://www.iacad.gov.ae/EN/Pages/FatwaAdmin.aspx

I am sure they will be more than happy to help

Also you may find further info at - findoutwhy.co.uk

[I Know]

Ramadan night market attracts 50,000 visitors

DUBAI - Ramadan Night Market, a 10 day shopping extravaganza concluded successfully on August 19, at Dubai World Trade Centre. Surmounting all expectations the first edition witnessed footfall of 50,000 visitors in 10 days.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/biz/insi...on=uaebusiness

[I Know]

I think this was taken in Ramadan this year.

[I Know]

Lets see what happens, would be good for the entire region

Ramadan brings big boost to Saudi hotels


Pilgrims flocking to Grand Mosque, Makkah, Saudi Arabia have boosted performance of local hotels.

Ramadan impacted hotel performance across the Middle East in July with holy cities in Saudi Arabia seeing major increases in revenues, latest industry figures show.

STR Global said hotels in Makkah reported the biggest boost to performance with revenue per available room (RevPAR) increases of more than 90 percent compared to July 2011.

“Ramadan, which took place 20 July to 19 August, impacted the results across the Middle East”, said Elizabeth Randall Winkle, managing director of STR Global.

“Ramadan took place during August last year. The holy cities of Makkah and Madinah reported RevPAR increases of 90.9 percent and 33 percent, respectively."

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/ramad...ls-470802.html

[I Know]

Other parts of the UAE are not affected

DM issues ultimatum to remove Ramadan tents

The Dubai Municipality (DM) will demolish Ramadan tents set up in the emirate if the owners do not remove them within two weeks, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Jaber Ahmed Abdullah Al Ali, who heads the Buildings Inspection Section of the Buildings Department at the municipality, told Khaleej Times that the civic body would give two weeks’ time to those who have set up separate tents for Ramadan activities to dismantle and remove them.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/i...ion=government

[I Know]

Another piece of great news from the blessed month of Ramadan by the Dar Al Ber Society, Dubai.

Moderate message of the religion attracts people from different communities

By Sarah Dabbar, Special to Gulf News
Published: 19:21 August 27, 2012


Dubai: As many as 300 expatriate residents of Dubai embraced the peaceful message of Islam during the month of Ramadan, Dar Al Ber Society has revealed.

The organisation, which caters to the needs of those who seek information about Islam as well as supporting those who need material support, announced that people from varied backgrounds and places, including Africa, Asia, Europe and America seek to embrace Islam.

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/so...slam-1.1066788

[I Know]

للوقاية من الشعور بالجوع

http://www.emaratalyoum.com/life/lif...08-15-1.416116