60,000 attend prayers at peace convention Ahmed Shaaban

DUBAI - The mother is the first school from which children gain notions about their surroundings, and Muslims bear witness that woman is as vital to life as man himself.

This was affirmed in a lecture delivered by Sheikh Muhammed Al-Shareef from Canada on the second day of the three-day Dubai International Peace Convention 2012 on Friday.

Sheikh Mishary leads worshipers in Friday prayers at the Dubai International Peace Convention.

Earlier in the day, renowned Sheikh Mishary led over 60,000 worshipers in Friday prayers at the peace convention being held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

In his lecture themed 'The status of women in Islam', Sheikh Shareef said Islam has given the woman rights and privileges which she has never enjoyed under other religions or constitutional systems. "Equality and sameness are two quite different things. This difference is understandable because man and woman are not identical but they are created equals."

Explaining, Sheikh Shareef said Islam never brands woman as the product of the devil or evil. "Nor does the Quran place man as the dominant lord of woman. Never has any Muslim doubted the human status of woman or her possession of soul and other fine spiritual qualities.

"Whatever rights modern woman enjoys fall short of those of her Muslim counterpart. What Islam has established for woman is that which suits her nature, gives her full security and protects her against disgraceful circumstances and uncertain channels of life," he added.

Sheikh Shareef said woman are recognised by Islam as a full and equal partner of man in the procreation of humankind. She is equal to man in the pursuit of education and knowledge, freedom of expression, and rights to contract, enterprise and possess independently. Islam has also given her a share of inheritance which she was deprived of. Before, that she herself was considered as property to be inherited by man."

Further, Sheikh Shareef said woman in Islam even enjoys certain privileges of which man is deprived. "She is exempt from some religious duties, i.e. prayers and fasting, in her regular periods and at times of confinement. She is exempt from all financial liabilities. She is entitled to complete provision and total maintenance by the husband. She does not have to work or share with her husband the family expenses. She is free to retain, after marriage, whatever she possessed before and the husband has no right whatsoever to any of her belongings."

"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."

Later, 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 Shariah and its emphasis on unity. "This emanates from a desire for good relations and cohabitation in harmony, which is the cornerstone in accomplishing the convention's ambitious humanitarian goals," he said.

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

All lectures were followed by open discussions, in which the attendees asked questions and received answers from the lecturers.