TRIPOLI,
November 25 (WICS) - Nonstop humdrum, like a busy
bee hive, no difference between night or day, this is
the call for Islam, a continuous effort spanning the
globe.
To
shed more light on three long decades of da`wah
work, the WICS Web Site had this interview with Mr.
Ammar Huraibah, the secretary of the da`wah
office of the World Islamic Call Society (WICS).
"It
all started three decades ago. Earth is the field and
all humans are targeted. The Islamic international da`wah
sees to Muslims, helps them realize the true facts of
their religion, sends out preaching convoys, establishes
local radio stations to explain Islam, and reaches out
to new reverts. It also organizes youth camps for both
sexes, in addition to vocational and professional
courses.
"The
work starts with choosing preachers that follow a
mechanism of presenting moderate Islam. The very same it
started with, since the time of Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH)."
The
WICS aims to preach Islam by presenting its coverage of
all aspects of life. It is love and mercy for all human
kind, without enforcing anybody to adopt it against
their will, according to Huraibah.
Africa
He
added that even though Islamic callers are located
around the world, certain places have priority. Africa,
being of poor natural resources and lacking trained
human elements, is also poor in cultural and scientific
inflow.
"In
addition to its dire need for food and water, it is
thirstier for divine guidance. African nations are
heavily burdened with sickness, poverty, and ignorance.
They are in desperate need for someone to provide true
faith to them."
To
overcome communication difficulties where they go,
Huraibah said, the society has what are known as
preaching convoys or tours. They include preachers from
the intended country, in addition to being joined by
others, from other countries. There is not doubt that
such a collective effort would have a positive effect on
targeted societies.
"The
work is not done strictly within a preaching framework.
Those people have food, clothes, and illness on their
mind. That is why the work of the society is conducted
in parallel with the provision of food, clothes, and
health care, in addition to giving out the Qur'an and
Islamic books."
Cooperation
"The
society's da`wah activities rely on graduates of
its Islamic Call College. The society also has
connections and coordinates with other da`wah
organizations. There is a strong relation with Al-Azhar,
through many of the scholars, and a cooperation
protocol.
"The
society also has strong cooperation ties with the
ministries of endowment in Jordan and morocco. Omar Al
Mokhtar schools have been established in Jordan, where
Jordanian curricula are being studied. Moroccan
preachers are employed in some countries."
There
has been an increase in the numbers of converts into
Islam. Numbers are rising in Africa, and in other
countries.
As
to obstacles facing the da`wah, especially in the
presence of laws prohibiting conversion, and a powerful
media fighting Islam, Huraibah said, "Our method is
to present Islam.
"We
do not force anybody to follow it. It is the nature of
this religion. True there are obstacles, but the only
way to overcome them is a by planning and being logical.
We do not force anybody to convert, not to mention that
Islam touches the heart by intuition."
A
lot of reverts are culturally different personalities.
For those, seminars and discussion sessions are held,
with material that quietly and rationally refutes
damaging ideas presented, he added.
"Callers'
role does not end with others reverting to Islam. They
continue to introduce new Muslims to the true beliefs
and rituals of Islam. The society has a special program
to make new comers more settled in their beliefs, and to
follow up their status through its offices and
callers."
Women,
Youth
da`wah
is directed to each and every person. Special importance
is given to youth and women in particular. They are a
targeted sector of the community, and subject to much
doubt.
Huraibah
then touched on the issue of women callers.
"We
follow a two prong approach here. Women are being
invited to come into Islam, and also some are being
prepared for da`wah. There is a special
department for women students. They head for their
countries afterward to spread the universal message of
Islam and organize courses for their fellow countrywomen
to become callers, too. They also lecture on the stare
of woman in Islam, her role, and duties.
"da`wah
activities also go along with cultural and vocational
courses for women. They are taught sewing and embroidery
to enable them to overcome poverty and achieve well
being."
The
same attitude, Huraibah added, applies to male students.
They are taught a profession or a trade so they would
support themselves, in addition to spreading the word.
"The
importance of and interest in youth and women is one of
the main goals of the WICS. They get the proper care
right from the very start at the Islamic Call College.
There are a number of general coursers for all, and a
number of specific courses to raise the ability of some,
with the aim of raising their efficiency, and informing
them on their roles and the challenges they face.
"Efforts
are also concentrated, cooperating with youth through
the activation of Islamic youth councils in different
countries, especially in Africa."
Huraibah
mentioned as examples the Ugandan Islamic Youth
conference and Islamic Youth Union of West Africa.
He
added that those unions that bring together youth from
different countries represent political leverage,
increase their political powers, and their ability to
participate in decision making in their countries.
Native
Callers
"As
Arabic is not spoken in all countries, the WICS usually
sends graduates of the Islamic Call College back to
their native countries. There they are more familiar
with local customs, languages and dialects."
He,
however, added providing complete programs to teach
Arabic -- being the language of the Qur'an - remains a
top priority.
"Arabic
is needed for many to realize the miraculous aspects
humans do not realize. In this framework, the society
concentrates on establishing schools that teach Arabic,
determines curricula, appoints teachers, and organize
consecutive courses to advance teachers or teach
beginners. There were 8173 attendees of such courses
during the period of 2001 -2004."
