Late Dr Abdulrahman al-Sumait honoured by Saudi businessmen

Saudi businessmen have launched an initiative to honor the late Kuwaiti preacher Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait in recognition of his pioneering role in the Islamic Dawa in the African continent. Saudi social activist and official in charge of Al-Muhaidib sociatal program Eng. Ahmad Al-Rammah told KUNA that the initiative includes an educational waqf (endowment) in Thailand and a mosque in one of the Balkan countries in recognition of his pioneering efforts in the field of Islamic Dawa in the continent of Africa. He said the educational waqf will carry the name of Dr. Al-Sumait and will be held in the capital of Thailand (Bangkok) and is designed to teach Muslim children the Holy Quran, Science, Sharia (Islamic Law) and Arabic language. He added that the waqf was donated by Al-Muhaidib family and consists of five floors and can accommodate more than 600 students at one time and includes accommodation for students and a commercial building that will generate revenues to finance the educational endowment. He pointed out that the other project (mosque), donated by Al-Fowzan family, will carry the name of Dr. Al-Sumait and will be held in one of the Balkan countries, adding that the family is currently looking for the most suitable area to build the mosque. Al-Sumait, who died at the age of 66, is known for building 840 educational facilities - including four universities - and 90 clinics and hospitals, constructing 12,000 artesian wells and helping thousands of people understand and embrace Islam in Africa. He is also known for having founded the Africa Muslim Agency, later renamed as "Direct Aid" society, and conducting detailed studies on Africa's political, social and economic affairs - Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Angola, being some of the 40 countries his work was focused on.