Introduction

Al Manar Islamic Centre is an organization aiming at imparting Islamic education to all those who seek the spring of the Holy Book. It is functioning under the patronage of HH Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of HH Seikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, and also under the supervision of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai. The Centre is active like a beehive since its inception in 2006. The idea of establishing a special centre for Quran studies was the brain child of a fistful of goodhearted brothers, who desperately wanted to contribute something unique in the field of Quranic education for the benefit of children as well as adults by giving importance to recitation, memorization of the Quran and to the sciences derived from the book that could prepare a generation armed with thorough knowledge on Islam.
In the forefront of this initiative was the late Aslam Mohiddeen, who presented the idea in front of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai. Aslam was hell-bent on translating the idea into reality to his last breath. On his part HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum granted a suitable plot of land in Alqouz area for purpose of building the centre. Al Maktoum family did not squander a single chance for spreading the Holy Quran and its Sciences. Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum bore all expenses to build a state-of-the-art building. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashi Al Maktoum inaugurated the centre on 2 Dec 2006 that coincided with national day celebration of UAE.
Main objective of the centre is to promote learning of the Holy Quran related studies by offering continual learning courses and methods including devoted efforts for memorization of Quran. The Centre offers Holy Quran memorization courses for Arabs and non- Arabs as well as men and women. It is dedicated to the establishment of a distinctive and progressive Islamic education system strictly compliant with standards set by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Department Dubai. The Centre adopts various methods for achieving its goals by imparting Islamic knowledge for everyone who seeks it. People from all walks of life, adults as well as children are visiting the centre to have their share of knowledge appropriate for them. The number of people who show interest in learning the Quran is increasing with each passing day. The Centre also conducts lectures on Islam in Arabic, English, Malayalam, and Urdu.