09-22-2003, 07:50 AM
(9)*(NEWS FROM THE DA”WAH)
Norway: More and more embracing Islam
Oslo, Rajab 20/Sep 17 (IINA) – The number of new Muslims in Norway has been gradually increasing, according to a handout from the Islamic Community Center here, which added that there were 500 new Muslims last year, and this has brought the total number to 80,000.
The statement indicated that 50,000 of them are members of either Islamic Centers or other Islamic organizations, and went to show that most the Muslims in the country are ethnic Pakistanis, followed by Turks, Moroccans, Iraqis, Somalis, and Bosnians, who number not less than 5,000.
The handout discloses that there are 69 mosques in Norway, 24 of which are to be found in the capital city, Oslo, where there is a large concentration of Muslims. Among the immediate problems facing the Muslim community here is the organization of prayer and fasting times, particularly the latter, because in certain seasons of the year when there is continuous sunshine and at certain seasons there is continuous darkness for months.
The “Islam in Norway” newsletter goes on to say that another problem is that of the second generation Muslims in the country, most of them do not even know their mother tongue, a problem that prevails in all the European countries with Muslim minorities. HI/OB/IINA
http://www.islamicnews.org/english/index.html
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(10)*(NEWS FROM THE MUSLIM WORLD)
Kazakhstan: Conference of religions to be held
Astana, Rajab 20/Sep 17 (IINA) – The Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper has disclosed that that the country is preparing to welcome various delegations who would be attending the International Conference of Religions which would be held here from September 23 – 24. It is expected that 18 delegations, representing different religious denominations, will be attending the conference. Others that are expected to attend the conference are representatives from the UN, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, UNESCO, and UNICEF. The Office of the President here announced that others who are expected to attend are delegates from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Iran. It is expected that among the prominent Muslim personalities who would attend are Dr. Abdullah Al-Turky, secretary-general of the Muslim World League (MWL), and the Grand Sheikh of Azhar, Dr. Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, as well as the chairman of the Ulema Council of India, Sheikh Muhammad Rabi’ Al-Nidwi.
HI/OB/IINA
http://www.islamicnews.org/english/index.html