Success Story 3 – Mobile Islamic Bookstall

Many people like reading. Sri Lanka in particular has a higher literacy rate as compared to its Asian counterparts. This is why any Da’wah effort related to reading is proving to be a great success. The recently concluded DA’WAH CORNER’s Islamic Book Stalls at National Book Fairs established this fact.

1) Islamic Book Stall At The National Book Fair – Colombo Public Library Premises:

First success story comes from DA’WAH CORNER’s Islamic Book Display at the National Book Fair at the Colombo Public Library premises. Despite the presence of major book vendors and publishing companies, DA’WAH CORNER’s Book Stall took a unique place being the only Islamic book stall with a focus on da’wah. This was a first of its kind by any Da’wah institution in Sri Lanka. Instead of having selling books as the main objective, the DA’WAH CORNER Book Stall’s had a Da’wah Focus. The volunteers present took every effort to explain Islam to the visitors. A considerable number of visitors showed their interest to know more about Islam by leaving their contact details with us. Alhamdulillaah, we were able to establish around 39 contacts from a wide spectrum of visitors including teachers, members of clergy (both Buddhist/Catholic), university students, doctors, and other professionals (including the fellow stall vendors). Some came and spent time reading the texts and asking various questions regarding Islam and Muslims. DA’WAH CORNER was able to clarify many misconceptions and misinformation about Islam thus able to remove many myths that hinders the progress of Da’wah. The Sinhala translation of the Qur’an and Prophet’s Biography in Sinhala were the most sold items.

2) Mobile Book Stall at Gampaha Siyana Book Exhibition:

Siyana Poth Wasanthaya, a book fair held at Gampaha was the second successful example. Situated around 20 miles from Colombo, Gampaha is a densely populated emerging city with a overwhelming Sinhala Buddhist majority. With very little Muslim presence, Gampaha is a place virtually untouched by any Da’wah worker or Muslim institution. This created an ideal climate for our Da’wah through mobile bookstall effort. Undoubtedly Gampaha has a higher readership while sadly very little information about Islam and Muslims have reached this area. DA’WAH CORNER realized the great need for Da’wah in this area and took every opportunity to spread the word of Allah to the non Muslim visitors. Alhamdulillah, we are happy to inform you, one brother embraced Islam from this event at Gampaha. DA’WAH CORNER was also able to make around 30 contacts with those who showed interest to know Islam more.

Again, there was a huge demand for the Sinhala Translation of the Qur’an and Prophet’s Biography in Sinhala. Many who came to the stall were either ignorant or misinformed about Islam. We pray that Allah open their hearts towards the truth and they embrace Islam with clear conviction.

DA’WAH CORNER sees these opportunities as conducive for Da’wah on a large scale. This success has prompted us to plan for more similar events.

3) Explore Islam Colombo Event in Bambalapitiya:

We held a four day Islamic book stall under the heading of Explore Islam Colombo from 14 to 17 August. We held it in a rented land in Bambalapitiya Colombo, adjoining the popular and fashionable Majestic City mega shopping complex and Unity Plaza computer shopping complex. Through this book stall event in a prime location of Colombo, Dawah Corner was able to expose and present Islam openly and do da’wah indirectly to a very broad section of the Sri Lankan public of all ages, faiths and cultures. Many Buddhists, Hindus and Christians visited our bookstall over the course of the 4 days the event was held.

One Sinhala girl who had come to Bambalapitiya to buy a pair of shoes, saw our stall and came to check it out. She said, she had wanted to study about Islam for some time now and had been looking for Islamic books for some time now. She bought some books about Islam and also discussed Islam with us. Like we do to all non-Muslims who show a positive interest in Islam, we gave our contact details for her to get in touch with us in future regarding Islam. We were surprised when after about 3 weeks, on of the 5th September she came to our office in Mount Lavinia and declared she wanted to embrace Islam. Allahu Akbar!

We had around 100 Islamic books about various topics from most basic Islamic teachings to advanced study of Islam on display in our bookstall. We sold around 5,000 to 7,000 rupees worth of books each day. The translation of Holy Quran in Sinhala and prophet Muhammad’s Sinhala biography were the most sold books.

In addition many Muslim brothers and sisters visited our stall. Many of them came to know about Dawah Corner Sri Lanka and our dawah oriented activities for the first time through this event and expressed their appreciation. This event for a inspiration for them and example for them to participate and get involved in dawah.

This book stall event was a good platform for us to dawah and spread the message of Islam knowledge through books and speaking about Islam to non-Muslim visitors. They could buy Islamic books and get to know and appreciate Islam. We also could present Islam to non-Muslims who casually visit to just check out the book stall. Many people had a look of pure wonder like they were watching a magic show, because this event was a novel experience for them and they had not seen an Islamic Book stall exhibition like this before.

All these were made possible because Allah helped us through well wishers like you. Da’wah is a collective responsibility and as a Da’wah organization we appreciate your assistance in conducting these events.

May Allah Bless You

Khadheeja Sudarshani,

Secretary DA’WAH CORNER.

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