Miscellany

Social gatherings are an ideal place to make Dawah, and a Muslim wedding is a great example of this. Weddings are places where non-Muslims can learn about one facet of Islam in a relaxed social atmosphere without feeling they are being preached to.


Here are some tips you can use to make Dawah at a Muslim wedding:

1. Make sure you explain some aspects of what will take place at the wedding beforehand. What is an appropriate dress to wear for a Muslim gathering? How do Muslims greet the bride and the groom?


These are just some of the protocol issues that may come up during the wedding and could cause surprise and/or embarrassment for non-Muslim guests who may not understand Muslim practices relating to gender interaction, for instance.


Politely explain to them some of these issues beforehand so they can feel prepared and comfortable at the wedding.



2. Seating arrangements for non-Muslim guests. What is the Imam saying? Who are the people surrounding the bride?

These are some questions that non-Muslim guests may have during the wedding. It would be a good idea to have a family member or a friend who knows Islam well, to be sitting with your non-Muslim guests during the wedding to answer these kinds of questions.


In most Muslim weddings, it is observed that non-Muslims are given a separate table to sit at. It is a better idea to seat them on different tables where your designated host can properly take care of them.



3. Provide brief written material about the marriage. What is a Nikah? How will the marriage be conducted?

Print out this fact sheet on the marriage ceremony and make sure all guests have a copy. This will be a great educational and Dawah tool for all guests, Muslims and non-Muslims. Perhaps you can even print it out on fancy paper, decorate it and make it like a keepsake of the wedding.



4. Make sure everything is translated. Why is so much of the ceremony in Arabic?

Try to have the Imam or at least someone else who can do it, translate the Duas (supplications) and Khutbah (sermon) of the marriage for the benefit of non-Arabic speaking Muslims and non-Muslims. Maybe the Imam can even explain why so much of the marriage ceremony is being conducted in Arabic.



5. Ask the Imam to speak briefly about Islamic social life

A short, wise speech by the Imam or someone else who is qualified to do it on Islamic social life will give a broader understanding of marriage from an Islamic perspective.



6. Be on Time

What could be worse than this: you invite guests at 6 p.m. and you, the host, are showing up at 8 p.m. Please plan ahead to be on time. If you expect a delay, let your guests know what time is suitable to arrive at the wedding.

(www.soundvision.com)

As 2006 is the International year of Deserts and Desertification, the World Environment Day to be commemorated on 5 June, will also centre its celebrations on the importance of protecting drylands.


This year's World Environment Day slogan is Don't Desert Drylands!


This ecosystem is home to one-third of the world's people who are more vulnerable members of society. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) main organizer of the events, announced that the main international celebrations of this year's World Environment Day 2006 will be held in the city of Algiers, Algeria.


The main objective of the celebrations of the World Environment Day is to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and to enhance political attention and action.