Sheikh Mishary leads over 60,000 worshippers

Sheikh Mishary bin Rashid Al Afasy, Imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque in Kuwait, led more than 60,000 worshipers during Friday prayers at the Dubai World Trade Centre, as part of the second day of the Dubai International Peace Convention.

This event is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Mishary attended the proceedings yesterday as a guest of honor at the opening ceremony of the convention, and led a nasheed chant themed "The chant of peace."

In his speech, he stressed the importance of the convention as it comes against the backdrop of a world which urgently needs solutions for peace. He also noted that peace is one of the focal points of the Islamic religion. He elaborated on the objectives of the event, which aims to preserve civil peace and security as a whole, and he cited a set of verses and hadiths in this regard.

Sheikh Mishary explained that Islam is a religion of tolerance, love and cordiality between different races. Therefore unity is the foundation on which humanitarian initiatives can create a climate of harmony and peace, to give humanity a better life for generations to come.

Sheikh Abdul Bary Yahya commenced the proceedings of the second day with a lecture about being brothers in Islam, during which he gave vivid examples about the role of tolerance in the good Shari'a and its emphasis on unity. This emanates from a desire for good relations and cohabitation in harmony, which is a cornerstone in accomplishing the convention’s ambitious humanitarian goals.

After the Friday prayers, the audience took a short break and then absorbed a lecture by Sheikh Muhammed Al-Shareef, the well-known Islamic preacher, about “The status of women in Islam”. During his speech he noted the significance of the mother’s role as the first school from which the child gains its notions about its surroundings.

After the afternoon prayer the convention witnessed two lectures: the first was entitled “The Deceit of Atheism” by Sheikh Abdur Raheem Green from the UK. The second was delivered by Sheikh Dr Tawfique Chowdhury from Australia, entitled: “Muhammad (peace be upon him): The Ambassador of Peace”, in which he stated the virtues of the holy prophet (pbuh), narrating how his life was a spiritual journey in which he educated humanity on the concepts of peace, justice and equality.

After the Maghrib prayer, Sheikh Hussein Yee presented a lecture entitled "One World, One Way, One God”, in which he stressed how the road to God is a road of peace in different religions and divine laws.

In his lecture: "Action plan to achieve world peace," Sheikh Ahmad Hamed identified the means of achieving the ambitions of humanity, by laying the foundations of a world free of conflicts, war and where peace prevails. He emphasized that this can be achieved by adhering to a clear vision based on the essential points that inspire true determination.

All the lectures were followed by open discussions, in which the attendees asked questions and received answers from the lecturers. They corrected some problematic and fallacious ideas, clarifying the motive of the convention as it relates to the true concept of peace.

In addition to all the above-mentioned activities, an open meeting was held featuring Dr Zakir Naik, a prominent guru and expert in the field of comparative religions. The public talk was entitled, "Ask Dr Zakir," and the audience had the opportunity to directly interact with Dr Zakir and ask any questions related to world peace in the different religions and laws, as well as how these different religions perceive the notion of peace.

The second day successfully concluded its activities with a nasheed chant by Sheikh Abdullah Rolle in English. This had a great impact in the hearts of the audience, which was shown in the great momentum and positive mood in the conference halls, corridors, lectures, discussions as well as question and answer segments.

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