By Saloua Jandoubi, KUNA,
New York : Imam of Kuwait’s Grand Mosque, Sheikh Khalid Al-Juhaim, lauded the diverse activities organized by the Islamic Cultural Center of New York (ICCNY), especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
Speaking to KUNA, the Kuwaiti Imam especially noted the center’s holding of a daily Iftar (fast-breaking meal) during the Ramadan, as well as the Taraweeh evening prayers that were attended by male and female members of the Muslim community in New York.
The Imam, who arrived here last week, has been dispatched by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Awqaf (endowment) and Islamic Affairs to head during the first ten days of Ramadan the Taraweeh prayers (held after the evening prayers during the holy month) at the ICCNY.
The construction of the ICCNY was largely financed by the Kuwaiti government, and this is the first time that a Kuwaiti Imam is dispatched to head the Muslim community in New York in their Ramadan prayers and to take part in activities held on this occasion.
“As a Kuwaiti, I am proud of the charitable activities that the State is sponsoring, and the assistance it is providing to countries around the world,” he said, and hoped that Kuwait would continue to be “an ambassador of goodwill” to the world through its philanthropic acts.
He expressed joy at being here at this time, saying, “It is our duty to accept such invitations because they serve Muslim minorities in Western nations. I accepted this invitation without any hesitation, and I found Muslims in New York hungry to listen to the Holy Qur’an being recited by an Arab who mastered the language. I also found them to have deep knowledge of their religion.” The Imam underscored the peaceful message of Islam, and called for respecting the religions and traditions of others, while increasing inter-faith dialogue and rejecting all forms of extremism.
Al-Juhaim hoped that activities at the ICCNY would continue to be of benefit to the Muslim community in this metropolitan city, while commending Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN Abdullah Al-Murad for his efforts in this area.