Mohammed and Maryam were the most popular names for Muslim converts last year, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai announced.
The men took their name to honour the religion’s holiest prophet.
Mohammed was followed by Abdullah and Essa, after Prophet Isa, who received his revelation of Islam in the form of a book.
Maryam, viewed by Muslims as the epitome of a chaste and righteous woman, topped the list among women.
The next most popular names were Aysha, the wife of Prophet Mohammed, and Fatima, his daughter.
Last year, there were 2,815 conversions recorded. Of those, 2,047 were women, said Huda Al Kaabi, chairwoman of the new muslims section at the department.
To convert to Islam, a person who visits the department must learn about the religion's five pillars – testimony, prayer, fasting, alms and pilgrimage to Mecca. Government clerics then answer any questions a convert may have, such as comparing Islamic beliefs to other religions.
The department clerics speak Arabic, English, Tagalog, Urdu, Tamil and Russian.
A candidate fills out a certificate formally embracing Islam. Many choose to enrol in post-conversion courses detailing the different aspects of Islam.
Dubai does not track the number of Muslims converting to other religions, which is not allowed in Islam and is technically a capital crime. Other religions are forbidden from proselytising in the country.
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Jawan
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Top tips
Create and maintain a strong bond between yourself and your child, through sensitivity, responsiveness, touch, talk and play. “The bond you have with your kids is the blueprint for the relationships they will have later on in life,” says Dr Sarah Rasmi, a psychologist.
Set a good example. Practise what you preach, so if you want to raise kind children, they need to see you being kind and hear you explaining to them what kindness is. So, “narrate your behaviour”.
Praise the positive rather than focusing on the negative. Catch them when they’re being good and acknowledge it.
Show empathy towards your child’s needs as well as your own. Take care of yourself so that you can be calm, loving and respectful, rather than angry and frustrated.
Be open to communication, goal-setting and problem-solving, says Dr Thoraiya Kanafani. “It is important to recognise that there is a fine line between positive parenting and becoming parents who overanalyse their children and provide more emotional context than what is in the child’s emotional development to understand.”
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company%20Profile
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