In search of truth of life, this British man landed in Qatar
ASHRAF SIDDIQUI
What one generally values in life is money, property, acquisitions etc. However, in Islam, you value the finiteness of life and eternity, and not materialism
BEING born in a Catholic family in the United Kingdom, he was raised in an ambience of high moral values. These values encouraged him to never cross the limits and never bother others with his attitude.
Dominic Foley, a charismatic personality, is currently serving as an Islamic preacher and a guide at state mosque Sheikh Abdulwahab in Doha. He embraced Islam in 2014.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar
Tribune recently, he narrated how he had been inclined towards religion from the very beginning and was a regular at mass in the church. “I was a choir boy from early young age,” he said.
Always an obedient boy to the elders, he studied in Catholic schools and completed his graduation in business management. He opted to work in the real estate sector as it was a period of boom for this business in the UK -- during the 1980’s.
“Around the year 2001, there was something within me strongly pushing me to ascertain the real purpose of life,” he said. “Whether the purpose of life is to just keep moving with the waves or if there is specific purpose?”
He came across the holy book of Quran around this time and studied it. “I felt satisfied to get what I had been looking for many years. I found my answer -- the purpose of the short human life. The purpose of coming in this materialistic world is to avoid running after materialism, and to work for the life hereafter, which is the actual and real life,” he said.
His interest in understanding Islam and seeking the purpose of life brought him to Doha and the Al Fanar Islamic Center, in 2009. Here he studied Islam and later memorised the Quran.
“What one generally values in life is money, property, acquisitions etc. However, in Islam, you value the finiteness of life and eternity, and not materialism,” he noted.
Foley feels grateful for being given an opportunity to earn more and more rewards to win the Almighty’s blessings. “At this time I have left the materialistic life; that’s me at the moment; as for future, I do not know,” he said.
Did he face any resistance from his family and friends on converting to Islam? “My parents did ask me in the beginning, and then, they never argued. I enjoy normal relations with them,” he answered.
Reminiscing his school days, he said he was not much into sports albeit he liked playing football and later found some interest in martial arts too. “I also love travelling. I have travelled to some 30 countries,” Foley said.