The initiative aims to support and guide new Muslims.
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In a show of good faith and support for Dubai’s new Muslims, the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities has sent a group of 25 converts of various nationalities on a week-long Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina.
Under the leadership of Dr. Hamad Al-Sheikh Ahmed Al-Shaibani, the pilgrimage is organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Islamic Culture.
The pilgrims set out on their spiritual journey on October 30 from Dubai International Airport, with plans to return on November 4. This religious trip is part of an initiative aimed at supporting and guiding new Muslims in understanding and accepting the principles of Islam.
Dr. Omar Mohammed Al-Khatib, executive director of the Islamic Affairs Sector, and Hind Lootah, director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Islamic Culture, were present at Dubai International Airport to see off the group. They highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and understanding between diverse communities.
“The Umrah journey for new Muslims began from Dubai International Airport, heading to the city of Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and then proceeding to Mecca to perform the Umrah rituals. This trip is a unique and first-faith experience for new Muslims, facilitated by qualified staff and competent guides in multiple languages,” said Hind Lootah, director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Islamic Culture.
The center has been actively involved in promoting moderate Islamic values and fostering tolerance among Dubai’s various communities. The trip aligns with the center’s ongoing efforts to educate and introduce new Muslims to the religion’s rich traditions and rituals.
“This initiative is part of our awareness plan for the Emirate of Dubai. Through cultural exchange and first-hand experience, we aim to strengthen the connection of new Muslims to their faith,” Lootah said.
The journey is not only a religious journey but also a cultural exchange, offering pilgrims the opportunity to witness the historical and spiritual significance of the Islamic monuments in Mecca and Medina.
The Dubai Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities hopes that such initiatives will contribute to building bridges of understanding and tolerance between the different communities in the region.
