Japanese Muslim Association Organises Two-Day Islamic Camp

TOKYO -  21st 0 22nd May 2010 -  Kannonzaki Youth camp is nestled between the Tokyo bay and the green lush of the mountain.  The bay lies at the heart of the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area with the major cities of Tokyo, Kawasaki, and Yokohama situated along its northwestern and western shore.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo’s streets and subways, seventy people set their minds and hearts to camp at the center for two days.  This year saw the 23^rd get together except 2004 and 2009.  In 2004, it was due to typhoon Tokage and 2009 was due to Influenza (H1N1)   and bad weather.

The program was graced with the recitation of the Al Quran by Prof. Nou Deen . The president of JMA, Prof. Amin Takumasu, gave  a short welcome note and followed by brief introduction by each participant of the program.   Some came for the first time while  others have been here every year.  A few students (non Muslims) form the local university who took Arabic as their second language took part.  They could practice their Arabic language and at the same time learned about Islamic culture and behaviors.  Some came from Middle East and from other religious organization as well.  Prof. Kawashima Kenji from Keisen University was one of the ardent participants.  His specialty is the study of inter-religions.  He is yet to embrace Islam.

The get-together was casual yet filled with warmth and friendly gestures and conversations among the participants.  Meals were served ala-buffet.  Everyone (including the president) was required to queue and cleaned their own dishes and cups.  That was cool.  It creates an ambiance of esprit de corps and friendship and sense of belonging and “family-hood”.  Everybody had to collect their own blanket and pillows from the camp’s warden and made their own beds.  On the last day of the camp, again everyone made sure that the items that they borrowed were given back to the camp management.

On the evening of the first day, after solat magrib, and with the soft drizzling falling on the rooftop and evening breeze coming from the Tokyo bay in front of the small crowd, a young lady, Miss Yuko Ota decided to recite the syadah “I bear witness that there is no god but ALLAH. And I bear witness that Prophet Mohammad is his prophet” (Ašhadu an la ilaha illa-llah, wa ašhadu anna Muhammadun Aabduhu wa rasuluh.) From 22^nd May 2010 henceforth, she became a Muslim.   May ALLAH bestow her with guidance and hidayah.  The   evening was further filled with dialogue and followed by “dress culture show”.

Riseap’s President Birthday Wishes

Riseap Staff and Members would like to take this opportunity to wish our dear president a wonderful and joyous celebration on his 74th birthday today.

Ex-Muslimah’s Participant Becomes Active Dakwah Worker

Sis Neesha Sudarshani, also known as Khadeeja from Colombo, Sri Lanka accompanied by her husband, Br Ahmed Anver Manatunga, now the Chairman of Dawah Corner-Sri Lanka made a visit to RISEAP on 10 May 2010 as a part of their study tour and to introduce their da’wah activities to RISEAP and some other Islamic organizations in Malaysia including ABIM’s Islamic Outreach.

Sis Neesha came to Malaysia in 2004 and attended Islamic classes at ABIM after she converted to Islam. She later on joined RISEAP International Muslimah Course held at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 2004. During this 2-month course she showed her seriousness in acquiring Islamic knowledge. She was known by teachers and friends as a hard working student who tried hard to read Qur’an and practicing prayers. She is happy to be a Muslimah and thanked RISEAP for giving her a chance to attend its courses.

After the completion of Muslimah Course, she returned to her home country and started conducting da’wah work by teaching Qur’an at the Centre for Islamic Studies (CIS) in Colombo. Again, she was invited to attend the First RISEAP Qur’an Course in 2007, a three-month course provided her more time and opportunity to learn Qur’anic reading  effectively. With her knowledge, understandings and experiences earned from the two RISEAP courses made her become more confident and ready to impart the basic Islamic teachings to the new converts, Insyaallah.

Married to Br Ahmed Anver Manatunga, a Sri Lankan, and active da’wah worker who is the chairman of Dawah Corner-Sri Lanka. Sis Neesha is now playing a significant role in helping her husband to conduct da’wah activites. As an assistant and secretary to Br Ahmed Anver, she gives talks on Islam and conducting Qur’an classes to the converts. Sis Neesha and Br Ahmed Anver Manatunga made their first visit to RISEAP since the formation of Dawah Corner in 2009. According to Br Ahmed, it is a great challenge to conduct Islamic da’wah activities in the country where Muslims are minority like Sri Lanka. Alhamdullilah, his mission has been gradually accepted by the locals. According to him, Islam is to promote peace, harmony and understandings within people of diverse cultural and religious background and thus it should be accepted by all.

With less than 10 workers and volunteers, Da’wah Corner is able to preach its mission  among non-Muslims in Sri Lanka. Various activities have been launched since its inception in 2009 in order to provide Islamic messages to the locals including talks, meeting, booklets and even car sticker handout to motorists. Br Ahmed added that to conduct da’wah activities one must be patient, persevering and of course knowledgeable. He is happy to see positive responses from the locals even some of Buddhist monks were also attracted to his mission and had converted.

RISEAP would like to congratulate Sis Neesha and Br Ahmed for their dedication in proselytizing Islamic teachings in Sri Lanka and pray to Allah S.W.T for their success and good health.