admin
Desire Ncube
NEW Hope Charity Trust, an Islamic organisation based in Harare, recently opened a public research centre that will provide extensive information about Islamic beliefs to Zimbabweans.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Religion, one of the scholars at the centre, Sheik Shaibu Asali, said Zimbabwe was a multiracial, multi-ethnic and a multi-religious community hence the idea of setting up the research centre.
“As Muslims we have to explain ourselves, telling our own story to Zimbabweans so that non-Muslims will be free to live with us.
“For us to live harmoniously and peacefully together the aspect of understanding each other is of paramount important,” Sheik Asali said. He said the centre was open to everyone interested in understanding Islam.
“Having knowledge about Islam does not make one a Muslim but it only facilitates tolerance and understanding. The centre was established to provide authentic information about Islam to Zimbabweans because there are a lot of misconceptions, a lot of myths and misinformation about Islam.
“There is always a negative picture of Islam. There are a lot of stories particularly in the international media about bombings of-course that is not the true picture of Islam. This is what this centre will deal with, demystifying all those things.”
He added: “On top of reading materials that includes the Holy book, the Quran – that is in Shona and English- and other Islamic books, the centre will also provide free lessons on Islam and the Arabic language.
“We are complimenting what the Government of Zimbabwe has been doing for a long time, you might be aware that programs of religious studies are being undertaken at several Universities and polytechnic students who are studying will then have an opportunity to come here and research free of charge. We are open to everyone even to high school students and primary school pupils.
“We have a team of qualified Islamic scholars who are stationed here. This is for the simple reasons that if someone develops questions during study or research scholars are there to assist. Muslims believe in dialogue, we don’t believe in debates mainly because in debates people will be looking at who is right while dialogues lead to what is right. “Dialogue can lead people to a common ground rather than debate which can be antagonising. That is why we are very keen at explaining our point of view, we are maintaining an open door policy here.”
Sheik Asali said they had a gallery at the centre with portraits of non-Muslims like former US president Barrack Obama, ex-world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson among others who had said positive things about Islam. “There are pictures also that talk about Islamic issues that include dressing and some of the Islamic pillars of faith that include; Shahadah: sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith, Salat: performing ritual prayers in the proper way five times each day.
“Zakat: paying an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the poor and the needy, Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan and Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca.
“We are not a cult, we have nothing to hide, that is why we opened this centre. Its open Mondays to Saturdays, every week there are no restrictions on race, gender or even religion.
“The centre’s benefit to religion in Zimbabwe is that it provides opportunities for dialogues between different religions that include Christianity, African Traditional Religion, Buddhism and others.”
On Arabic lessons, Sheik Asali said Zimbabwe would immensely benefit from the huge Middle East economy if locals established links with the region.
“The first thing is that there will be an easy engagement between locals and the Arabs around the world. This will foster investment opportunities and boost our tourism sector.
“It is often said that the best way of getting closer to one’s heart is to know his or her language, barriers will be broken while cultural integration will be promoted.”
Online Reporter