- Image Credit: Supplied
- Abdul Rahman Siwar Al Dahab
Dubai: Former Sudanese president Field Marshal Abdul Rahman Siwar Al Dahab has been selected as the Islamic Personality of the Year 2010.
Dr Saeed Harib, Deputy Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, made the announcement on Sunday. He said the Islamic Personality of the Year is one of the most important elements of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award.
Al Dahab was born in 1935 in Sudan. He graduated from the military college in 1955 and joined the Sudan Armed Forces, where he rose to the position of general. He also served as minister of defence, as military commander and later as president. He was the president of Sudan from April 6, 1985 to May 6, 1986.
In 1985 he launched a coup ousting President Gaffar Nimeiry leading to him becoming the chairman of the Transitional Military Council. Following elections, he handed over power to the government of Sadiq Al Mahdi in 1986.
He became the military affairs adviser to Qatar Emir Shaikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani, and acted as the commander of police and military in Doha.
Now retired, Al Dahab dedicates his time to charity work and is the chairman of the Islamic Dawa Organisation in Sudan, which has built over 2,000 mosques, more than 200 schools, a number of hospitals and orphanages, as well as irrigation schemes, clinics and centres for child care, in Africa.
Considered a powerful personality in the Islamic world, he is also an active member of a number of Islamic organisations around the world.
Ali Mohammad Ali Himeda, counsellor at the General Consulate of Sudan in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, said: "It gives us great pleasure and pride to know of the recipient of this year's Islamic personality award. Siwar Al Dahab is known for his contributions to the Islamic world. Most of the traditional and modern Quranic centres in Sudan are sponsored by him."
The Islamic personality of the Year is announced annually during Ramadan. The award includes Dh1 million for contributions and achievements in the Islamic world.
Consul General of Sudan Esam Awad said the Dubai International Holy Quran Award has captured the world's attention, especially with the participation of more than 80 countries for the last 14 years in succession. He said that the Muslim world should follow DIHQA in spreading the message of God.
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