AJMAN // The UAE's smallest emirate is this year taking Ramadan to the internet.
Its popular programme, "Ajman Ramadan Strengthens Belief", is organising a series of competitions on its new website, ramadanajman.ae. The site is also linked to a Facebook page to reach younger believers.
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"We are taking the Islamic call to where youths are," said Obaid Hamad Saif Al Zaabi, the director in Ajman for the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
Competitions include questions on the 30 parts of the Quran, which will be posted online. Those wishing to answer must register at the site, Mr Al Zaabi said. There will be daily prizes including Dh500 for the winner and Dh300 for the runner-up.
Ajman has organised other cultural events, including Quran reading competitions, and sports and children's drawing contests.
There will be public lectures, most of which will be in the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
The Sharjah Islamic Affairs Department has selected 20 mosques in which the whole Quran will be read during the holy month at taraweeh prayers, said Abdullah Al Khayal, the director of awareness and mosque affairs at the department.
Mr Al Khayal said opportunities were open for Emiratis who wished to become imams. Imams should be older than 17 and have memorised up to five ajzaa of the Quran.
A series of public lectures will be held in other mosques. Mr Al Khayal said the department had launched a toll-free number - 8001441 - for people with questions during Ramadan.
