Amid growing need for spiritual healing, a newly opened hospital has requested the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to set up its 'Mutawa' office at the centre, said Mohamd bin Hamad Al Kuwari, Head of the Religious Call and Guidance Department at the Ministry.
Mutawa office comprises a group of clerics and religious scholars offering spiritual treatment by reciting some verses from the Holy Quran and Prophetic traditions to patients for their mental and physical cure.
The office also undertakes a lot of religious activities like visiting patients to educate them about Islamic teachings and practice, among others.
Al Kuwari was speaking at a press conference held at the headquarters of the Ministry yesterday to announce a Ramadan campaign “Shifa wa Rahma" (cure and mercy). The press conference was attended by the representatives of HMC, Abdullah Khalid Al Hajri — Director of Public Relations Department and Saad Al Dosari — Assistant Executive Director, Public Relations Department.
The campaign has been launched in collaboration with Hamad Medical Center (HMC) and aims at educating patients and visitors about the merits of the Holy Quran and fasting that can cure various illnesses.
“The request indicates the importance of the treatment with Holy Quran and Prophetic traditions and now it has become very necessary especially for hospitals,” said Al Kuwari.
Replying to a question about the existence of Mutawa office in private hospitals, Al Kuwari told The Peninsula that currently the offices were operating only in public hospitals.
Mutawa office is available at all major public hospitals including Hamad General Hospital, Al Khor Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital and Cuban Hospital, said Khaled Walid Al Hammadi — Head of the Department of Religious Calls and Guidance Department at the Ministry.
The office aims at covering the maximum number of people — patients, visitors and hospital staffers. The purpose of the office is to educate patients on Islamic teachings.
“Shifa wa Rahma” is about 50 day annual campaign held between Shaban 20 to Shawal 10. In other words, the campaign starts 10 days before the holy month of Ramadan and ends ten days after it," said Al Kuwari.
The Ministry will undertake a number of activities under the campaign.
Representatives from Call and Guidance Department at the Ministry will visit patients in the wards.
