Al Majid Channel 2 Premiers two Exclusives

South African propagator of Islam, Sheikh Ahmed Deedat.

Dubai, 16/11/2002: Al Majd Channel 2, the world's first English Islamic satellite TV channel, will premiere two exclusives on its Middle East platform via NileSat this month, For the first time ever on TV, live translation of "Taraweeh" prayers in English live from the sacred Mosque in Makkah. In addition, the premiere screening of a film documentary on the life of the famous South African propagator of Islam, Sheikh Ahmed Deedat.

The documentary film, "The story of Deedat" filmed this year on location in South Africa retraces the events that molded the charismatic character of the now internationally famous Muslim scholar of comparative religion. It also uncovers details of the challenge faced by Deedat and his team at Islamic Propagation Center International (IPCI) as they struggled against both anti-Islamic prejudice and the racist polices of the Apartheid regime during the 60'and 70's.

In 1986, the King Faisal Foundation awarded the King Faisal International Prize for Service To Islam, to Ahmed Deedat. This was the first time that this prestigious award has been awarded to a South African. When he was told that the award will be jointly conferred on him and the French philosopher Dr Roger Gharoudi he was overjoyed, and felt a sense of achievement that he was in the company of an internationally distinguished scholar and activist. Reverently called uncle by those who hold him in high esteem and admiration. The award came after a lifetime of struggle to propagate Islam and to defend Islam against an onslaught defamation against Islam and Muslims.

Sheikh Deedat did not have much formal schooling, but he was self-taught through experience and a penchant for reading, debating, discussion, and a profound sense of commitment to a mission and goal. He was driven and goal oriented. He was focused and never let up until the job was done. He was sharp, perceptive, forthright, fiery, and daring in his challenge of those whom he debated, particularly against those who equal his zeal and sense of audacity. Formal schooling did not destroy his creative prowess, his tenacity, ambition, drive, and sheer daring to swim upstream.

Deedat had an insight and perspective of comparative religion that made those he came into contact with rethink and re-examine their misconceptions, particularly those aspects that deal with the divine mission and life of Prophet Jesus, recognized by the Qur'an as one of the great Prophets sent to remind his people of the way of Allah, God or Allaha according to the Aramaic tongue spoken by Prophet Jesus. Sheikh Deedat fell ill after a stroke in 1996, shortly upon his return from a trip to Australia, which was a momentous tour. He gave one of his most passionate talks in front of a capacity crowd in Sydney, on the theme: "Easter, A Muslim viewpoint".

This was to be his last lecture abroad due to the stroke, and he has been bedridden since then. He is still as alert as ever and his sharp memory to identify faces and events has not left him. When people come to see him that he has not seen for many years, they are amazed to see him recollecting spontaneously who they are and where he has met them. The documentary took several months to shoot and was produced by a joint American-British Muslim film crew. It is hoped that the film will become a testimony to the achievements of one of the great Muslim scholars of our time. The Story of Deedat will be aired exclusively on Al Majd Channel 2 during Ramadan on 20/11/2002 at 10pm UAE time. -keralamonitor.com