Darussalam, a Riyadh-based multilingual publishing house, has announced plans to launch a glossy English magazine for children that is rich in Islamic content, and drawings and pictures depicting religious values.
The magazine, “Shining Star,” will be the first such printed journal of its kind to be published from Saudi Arabia and distributed globally in an attractive fun format that will fascinate children of all ages.
Dr. Zakir Naik, chief of the Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), and Abdul Malik Mujahid, general manager of Darussalam, announced the publishing house’s plans for the magazine at a recent press conference in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The press meet was preceded by a lecture on Islam and the media delivered by Naik, the doctor-turned-Islamic preacher who presides over Peace TV channel watched by millions of viewers across the world. Naik’s forte lies in his scholarly lectures and ability to defend Islam.
A scholar of comparative religion, Naik highlights tenets of major world religions to promote peaceful co-existence.
Naik appreciated the interfaith dialogue initiative of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, saying the initiative has had great impact on the institutions and people of diverse faiths.
The IRF chief also inaugurated the Darussalam Book Store in Riyadh recently.
Sehim Mohammed Unni hosted a brief reception for the scholar at his office after the opening ceremony. Naik, who is in the Kingdom on a weeklong tour, will also visit Bahrain where he will deliver a public lecture on Islam.
Speaking at the press conference about the plan to launch the children’s magazine, Darussalam chief Mujahid identified the need for the magazine because of the dearth of such reading materials in the global market.
“Traditionally, print materials for kids about Islam have been dry and boring,” he added. “There was nothing appealing, or presented in a ‘fun and attractive’ format, and so we have decided to create something that will fill the gap,” said the Darussalam chief. He said Darussalam has requested Naik to be a member of the magazine’s advisory panel.
The magazine, according to Mujahid, will have articles on Islamic morals, puzzles, games, interviews with kids, features on Islamic history, nature and science. “This initiative of Darusslam will go a long way in educating Muslim children about Islam and its teachings, and the eventual goal is to allow the new Muslim generation to play a new role and become an asset for the community in particular and for the whole of the world in general,” he added.
The maiden issue of Shining Star will hit the stands within three months, he said.
Naik said Darussalam had emerged as the most authentic source of information as far as the accuracy of its publications is concerned. “I always recommend Darussalam books because I am sure that their publications have authentic information based on the references of Holy Qur’an and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).”
“We are publishing and distributing selected works of scholars and researchers of different nationalities including Naik,” added Mujahid.
He pointed out Darussalam has published the translation and interpretation of the Holy Qur’an and other Islamic literature in more than 28 languages so far. Since its inception, Darussalam has been producing books on Islam in different languages such as Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Urdu, Persian, Turkish, Hindi, Bahasa (Indonesia), Russian and many others.
“Until today, Darussalam has published more than 1,400 Islamic titles in 28 different languages,” said Okasha Mujahid, Darussalam’s director of international marketing.
Okasha said Darussalam is also known for its innovative and modern publishing techniques of books especially meant for children and youths of different ages. He said Darussalam has the distinction of introducing innovative educational devices for learning Qur’anic teachings with the help of computer technology. “We have about 30 devices or electronic gadgets available in the market with Islamic materials,” said Okasha. The most popular among them is the Digital Qur’an, he added.
Okasha said the publication house has set up its own state-of-the-art studio, which has produced more than 500 audio cassettes and CDs in English and Urdu on different Islamic subjects.
—Source:Arabnews