Talk on Qur’an and modern science draws thousands

Riyadh : Hundreds of people representing different religious backgrounds across Asian, European and American countries attended Zakir Naik’s talk on Qur’an and Modern Science at King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh on Thursday. “The Qur’an was never meant to be a book of science. Instead, it’s accurate verses direct us to reflect on God’s glory,” said Naik, internationally renowned orator on Islam and comparative religion. The event was organized by the World Association of Muslim Youth (WAMY), and supported by the volunteers of IRF and WAMY. Naik, President of India-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and head of Dubai-based Peace TV network, said, “There are more than 6,000 verses in the Qur’an of which1,000 speak about science.” Quoting some of the verses, Naik presented the accurate description of embryonic developmental stages, how the roots of the mountains are like pegs anchoring the earth’s crust, how a natural barrier exists where two oceans meet, waves occur in layers in the ocean’s depths and heaven and earth were first joined together before being split apart and that heavens emerged from gases and dust that characterize nebulas as stars are forming which are all as described in the Qur’an. “Through this event, WAMY serves to present Islam to non-Muslims in its purest form and as a complete system and way of life. We are pleased to have Dr. Naik addressing the huge gathering in the Kingdom today,” said Mohammad Kareemullah, event manager. Over 2,000 non-Muslims participated on special invitation in the event that included cross-questioning sessions on Islam and inferences about scientific evidences referred to in the Qur’an. Naik, who has delivered more than 2,000 public lectures across the world, including some 225 in Saudi Arabia alone on comparative religion, clarifies Islamic viewpoints and clears misconceptions about Islam, using the Qur’an, authentic Hadith and other religious scriptures as a basis, in conjunction with reason, logic and scientific facts. He is popular for his critical analysis and convincing answers to challenging questions posed by audiences after his public talks. Special arrangements were made for women with a separate play area for the children of attending mothers. The talk was preceded by Qur’an recitation by Al-Hasan Al-Hazi and its English translation rendered by Muhammad Quraishi. Sheikh Yousuf Idris of Knowledge International University was the moderator for the program. Dr. Saleh Al-Shamrani, WAMY’s Dawah section director, Ahmed Ismail, secretary, and Abdullah Reddy, project manager were also present at the event. The program was supported by Jumuah Magazine, Darussalam Publications, Al-Huda Publications, Al-Wafi Program, Teaching Arabic Language and Islamic teaching for non-Arab students under Sultanah Jaliat and United India International School. Free books on Islamic guidance including 5,000 Qur’an translations and Tafseer Al-Qur’an in different languages from WAMY, Islamic propagation centers of Rabwa, Rowda, Sanaya and Sahee International were given to non-Muslim and Muslim attendees.