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Dubai Islamic affairs department launches e-services guide Ahmed Shaaban / 22 March 2014 The Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai on Thursday launched its electronic services guide on its official website. Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, Director-General of the department, said the move was a step to turn it into a total smart entity in line with the Smart Government initiative announced by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in May 2013. “While smart services were first launched in some mosques of the emirate in February this year, all department services are planned to be smart for the benefit of the public.” The department is also planning to launch a packet of smart services soon, he added. The Department, late in February this year, launched the first ‘smart mosque’ in the country — the Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Mosque at Jumeirah 3. The mosque, equipped with QR (Quick Reader) code technology for the first time in government buildings, was part of Phase I, including nine smart mosques being planned this year. Nasser Mubarak, Head of the IT Section, said the Electronic Services Guide consists of three sections — the Islamic affairs sector, the charitable activities sector, and community and media sector. The Islamic Affairs Sector spans the services being provided to new Muslims, as well as fatwa, scientific and library researches, Quran study, family consultations, mosque affairs and other religious activities. Mubarak said the Charitable Activities Sector includes all services related to all Islamic and charitable societies in the emirate, along with Quran study centres, the Princess Haya Cultural and Islamic Centre, and Zakat and charity. “The community and media sector spans all activities of the Zayed bin Mohammed Family Forum, distribution of books and brochures, recruitment, media institutions, and other relevant electronic services.” Abdullah Al Dallal, head of the corporate excellence section, said the department has adopted a number of initiatives to make all its services smart. “Customers may benefit from the electronic services guide by simply filling an e-form.” The e-form shows customers the right way to get the service needed in a fast and convenient way, he noted. “Customers may also submit their remarks, complaints and suggestions using the same form to give feedback.” ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Taylor Scott International
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