More than 500 expatriates embraced Islam last year

Energy Monday 13/May/2019 20:39 PM
By: Times News Service
More than 500 expatriates embraced Islam last year

Muscat: More than 500 expatriates embraced Islam last year, according to the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs.
Two dozen more people reverted to Islam in 2018 compared to the year before and, according to data released by the Ministry, 88 per cent of all converts in Oman were women.
Overall 540 people embraced in 2018, 480 of whom were women and 60 were men. The data by the Ministry also revealed that Ugandans accounted for 39 per cent of all reverts with 211 followed by 132 Filipinos, 50 Indians, 47 Sri Lankans, and 16 Nigerians.
Other nationalities embracing Islam last year included Nepalese, Tanzanians, Americans, Ethiopians, Bangladeshis and Kenyans.
The Centre for Islamic information received 190 witnesses to faith, followed by Al-Ifta Office which recorded 112. The Directorate General of Prisons also recorded that one male individual reverted to Islam.
In 2017, Filipinos held the number one position for expat conversion with 169 followed by 147 Ugandans and 60 Indian nationals. To continue their effort of sharing the true meaning of Islam, the Department of Islamic Information and Culture Exchange Dept is organising a social gathering to introduce Islam to people of other faiths.
The fourth edition of the event named “Taaruf” which is Arabic for ‘Introduction’ will be held on Friday, May 24, 2019 from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event includes a free Ramadan Iftar as well as dinner and exhibits.
Interested visitors can register at www.mara.gov.om/taarufreg.aspx . The last day to register for the event is on Thursday, May 23.