HE the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem al-Thani, has honoured employees of Dar al Iftaa affiliated with the Association of Scholars in South Africa.
This was, according to an official statement from Awqaf, during the valediction of the Arabic learning course. The course was held from January 11 to February 12, and 15 employees of Dar al Itaa participated. The course was organised and supervised by the Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Centre (Fanar) affiliated with Awqaf.
The honouring ceremony was attended by South African ambassador Ghulam Hoosein Asmal and a number of senior officials in Awqaf along with heads of departments, professors and supervisors of the course.
While addressing the ceremony, Fanar director Dr Saleh bin Ali al-Akhn al-Marri said the course comes within the efforts of Qatar to enhance co-operation with advocacy and legal institutions and strengthen cultural and civilisational relations and ties between Muslim communities. “The course enhances the ability of employees at Dar al Iftaa to deal with Islamic heritage and knowledge by strengthening their Arabic language. It facilitates their access to and acquisition of knowledge and Islamic sciences from their correct sources,” he said.
The course included 115 training hours in the Arabic language over one month in addition to legal lectures and cultural visits, with the aim of providing an integrated experience for employees of Dar al Iftaa, helping them improve their language skills and deepen their understanding of Islamic culture.
“The experience of hosting students and teachers from abroad and implementing Sharia programmes and courses and teaching them the Arabic language has proven successful over the past years. These courses and programmes contribute to achieving tangible results by developing the capabilities of participants, enhancing their competencies in learning the Arabic language, and educating them in Sharia aspects,” he said.
South African ambassador Ghulam Hoosein Asmal praised the efforts of Qatar in supporting students and employees of the Dar al Iftaa. “This event reflects the deep fraternal ties between the two countries. The programme was not limited to providing participants with religious knowledge, but rather enhanced their values of brotherhood and tolerance,” he said.
He expressed his thanks and appreciation to HE the Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem, HE the Undersecretary Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Mohammed al-Thani, Fanar director Dr Salah bin Ali al-Marri and all the officials who were part of the programme.
