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Islam Awareness Week 2009

Islam Spreading Fast in South America (Pictures)
by Dr. Sabeel Ahmed

As I was driven from the airport to the residence of my host, I saw Masjid after Masjid in almost every block. Adhan was echoing from loudspeakers and Muslims in beards and sisters in jilbab were seen heading towards the gates of these Masajids. Am I in India/Pakistan or the Middle East? Neither. I was in the continent of South America in the country of Guyana (north of Brazil) on a dawah trip. Muslim initially came to South America as slaves and later as indentured servants brought by the British from the villages of India in 1838. Muslims, unfortunately, lost their language of Urdu and they all now speak English.

Muslims of Guyana conducts Islamic Awareness Week each year with Islam presentations in main cities, street corners, villages, campuses, and television. I had the honor of conducting about 24 presentations and 5 television shows in 6 days.I was in dawah paradise! People were very receptive and don't hold many misconceptions about Islam unlike people of USA. During my presentations I emphasized on the oneness of Allah (swt) and how Islam can solve the various ills and bring peace and harmony to an individual and the society. After one of my presentation, the leader of the main opposition party of Guyana stood up and proclaimed: 'I will from today follow the advice of your prophet (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), in being moderate in eating.' His proclamation came after I mentioned Islam's solution to the problem of obesity. After each presentation I was inviting people to embrace Islam, Alhamdulillah, young and old, Hindus (yes 25% of the population are Hindu) and Christians used to get up in multitude, come to the front and proclaim shahada. Alhamdulillah, during that week, between three presenters (myself and two other brothers invited from Canada, Sh. Yaffa and Sh. Zia), more than 500 non-Muslims embraced Islam. During my entire trip I was reminded time and again the saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): "This message (of Islam) will reach to wherever the night and day have reached. Allah shall not leave any home built by clay or stones or by animal skin(tent) except Allah will make this religion to enter it."(Musnad Ahmad)

Alhamdulillah, people entering Islam by 1000s each year is not unique to Guyana, same can be said of the countries of Surinam, Trinidad and other countries of south America and west Indies. South America is waiting for Islam, the world is waiting for Islam and when we offer them a venue to listen, study and understand Islam, it resonates in their hearts and minds and they feel compelled to enter Islam.

Congratulations go to the Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) for conducting an excellent and successful Islamic Awareness week. May Allah (swt) accept all our endeavors and provide the guidance of Islam to humanity.aameen.

Alhamdulillah, many outreach projects are being conducted right here in Chicago and several cities using buses, billboards, newspapers, house to house, online etc. To volunteers for these projects contact info@GainPeace.com.

JazakAllahu khairan and wassalam,
Dr.Sabeel Ahmed
Director
GainPeace.com
Islamic Circle of North America

Truly,in remembering Allah do hearts find rest.
(Quran, 13:28)