DUBLIN,
Ireland, June 24 (IslamOnline.net) - The Islamic Cultural Centre of
Ireland (ICCI) here urged Tuesday, June 24, the Muslim community in
Ireland to actively participate in voluntary acts of the 11th Special
Olympics World Summer Games which opened Sunday, June 22, along with
30,000 volunteers, from different world countries, to help in ensuring
the success of the Games.
"We
are part and parcel of the Irish society. In one of my Khutbahs (Friday
sermons), I called on Muslims to be among the volunteers in the 2003
Special Olympics," Sheikh Hussain Halawa of the ICCI, told
IslamOnline.net.
"Islam
calls Muslims to be faithful and cooperative. Muslims should help and
serve their society as long as there is no violation to the rules of the
Islamic Law. Therefore, we seize every opportunity to prove to people
that Islam is a religion of peace, kindness, tolerance, and morality. We
actively participate in all national occasions that serve the welfare of
the Irish society," he added.
For
his part, Dr. Nooh Al-Kaddo, the Executive Director of the ICCI said
that the council encouraged the Muslim community in Ireland to
participate in the volunteerism activities because "this maintains
their integrity."
Winners
"Volunteers
always are winners," said Mrs. Rawaa Al-Abde, a Muslim woman living
in Dublin and one of the volunteers in the 2003 Special Olympics.
She
continued: "Both in this world, by pleasing others and helping
those who are in need of others’ help and in the Hereafter, by gaining
Allah’s pleasure.
"I
went to participate in the volunteerism activities in the 2003 Special
Olympics so as to find opportunity to present the true Islam, by setting
a good example for others in morality, cooperation, and
faithfulness."
Dr.
Sano Koutoub Moustapha, professor of Jurisprudence & Its Principles
at the International Islamic University, Malaysia, asserts that
volunteerism is, as far as Islam is concerned, strongly recommended.
The
Games includes Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce,
Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Power lifting,
Roller-skating, Sailing, Table Tennis, Tennis, Team Handball, and
Volleyball.
Up
to 166 sports delegation are vying in the nine-day Games.
The
ICCI invited all Arab and Muslim teams to visit the center and to have a
lunch at its wonderful restaurant that offers distinguished Halal meals.
The
ICCI is the leading Islamic Centre throughout the island of Ireland,
which also houses the headquarters of the well-reputed European Council
for Fatwa and Research.
