Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture expands outreach with courses, tech-driven learning spaces, and intercultural dialogue.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

More than 3,600 people converted to Islam in Dubai in the first half of 2025, while hundreds more engaged with Islamic educational programmes and interactive initiatives, reflecting the growing impact of the city’s cultural outreach efforts.

Prominent conversions and engagements in H1 2025

The Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture, under the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai, recorded a significant increase in conversions to Islam between January and June 2025. A total of more than 3,600 individuals embraced Islam during this six-month period.

In addition to the conversions, the Centre recorded over 1,300 student enrollments in its educational programmes.

These programmes aim to offer structured instruction on Islamic principles and practices.

Furthermore, the Centre held 47 knowledge and awareness courses, benefiting more than 1,400 participants. The sessions were part of IACAD’s core efforts to promote Islamic culture and enhance religious awareness in the region.

Another key outreach initiative, the “Sustainable Knowledge Room”, reached over 190 beneficiaries.

This educational space was designed to enhance learning by incorporating interactive and technology-driven elements.

The Centre’s Director, Jassim Al Khazraji, highlighted the institution’s broader mission, which includes promoting intercultural dialogue alongside its educational objectives. “We work within a comprehensive vision aimed at building bridges of cultural and religious communication and presenting a bright image of Islam based on tolerance, knowledge, and dialogue, grounded in well-studied academic standards that meet the needs of new converts and those interested in Islamic culture alike,” he stated.

The role and vision of IACAD

The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) is the governing authority behind Islamic and charitable efforts in Dubai. Established in 1969 by the late ruler HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, IACAD operates with the core objective of fostering religious awareness and Islamic values across the emirate. Its mission spans a wide scope of responsibilities, including:

Providing fatwa (religious rulings) guidance, Printing and distribution of the Holy Quran and Islamic literature, Organizing Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, Translating religious texts, Issuing licenses to Islamic religious teachers.

The Department also manages mosques across Dubai in collaboration with the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Department, ensuring religious services are conducted according to high standards of integrity and community engagement.

IACAD also offers a range of digital services through its official website, including:

Online religious enquiries, Guidance for new Muslims, A directory of all mosques in Dubai, Prayer timings and Islamic holiday schedules, Accreditation details for charitable organizations operating in Dubai.

Regulatory framework and expanding mandate

Under Law No. (2) of 2011, IACAD Was formally restructured to define its comprehensive policy-making and regulatory functions. The department’s expanded remit includes:

Developing general policies for Islamic and charitable work in Dubai, Supervising production and distribution of religious recordings and publications, Authorizing educational curricula related to Islamic studies, Preparing and approving the Hijri calendar, Issuing licenses for:

1.   Charitable societies
2.   Quran memorization centers
3.   Islamic institutions and research bodies.
4. Religious events, seminars, and exhibitions.

In its supervisory role, IACAD oversees both administrative and financial aspects of licensed entities. The Department also coordinates Hajj and Umrah travel logistics in partnership with relevant UAE authorities.

Additionally, it is responsible for managing the fatwa system, promoting Zakat awareness, and ensuring donations are used appropriately and legally.

The Department’s evolution began with its founding as the Department of Endowments on October 24, 1969, later formalised under Law No. (7) of 1994, and ultimately defined under the current legislation in 2011. Its mandate today rests on three foundational pillars: charitable work, Islamic affairs, and mosque supervision.

Innovation in Islamic learning: The Sustainable Knowledge Room

One of IACAD’s recent educational projects is the Sustainable Knowledge Room at the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture. This initiative applies immersive technologies to deliver Islamic knowledge in a more accessible and interactive format.

The Sustainable Knowledge Room is a 360-degree interactive virtual environment designed to provide an immersive learning experience. It combines educational tools with curated Islamic content to create a multisensory setting where users engage actively with the material.

The Room is designed to cater to diverse audiences and age groups, with flexible applications that include: Educational workshops, Training sessions, Religious events.

Its purpose is to translate abstract knowledge through tangible experiences to support engagement and accessibility in religious education.

Source: Times of India