The announcement was made yesterday during a press conference held by the organising committee of DIHQA, which was attended by Ebrahim Bu Melha, Advisor to the Ruler of Dubai in Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs and Chairman of the organising committee. Making the announcement at the Cultural and Scientific Association in Dubai on Monday, Ebrahim Bu Melha,  said: “Dr Shaikh Yusuf Estes, born in 1944, is often featured as guest presenter and keynote speaker at various Islamic events. He frequently appears on various Islamic satellite TV channels, in addition to his personal websites yusufestes.com and islamtomorrow.com.†Several scholars, scientists, presidents and institutions have won the Islamic Personality Prize over the past 15 sessions. The first winner was Late Shaikh Mohammed Metwally Al Shaarawy of Egypt in 1997 while the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was the last winner in 2011. Dr Shaikh Estes, who earlier served as a music minister became a Muslim in 1991 after meeting an Egyptian named Mohammed. Following his reversion, Estes entered the field of Dawah, or spreading the Islamic faith. “After embracing Islam, Dr Estes pursued Arabic language and Quranic studies in Egypt, Morocco and Turkey. From 2004, Dr Estes regularly appeared on many famous Islamic Channel,†Bu Melha said. Dr Estes has started a free-to-air Internet and satellite TV channel called GuideUS TV which currently broadcasts commercial-free programming on Islam 24/7. He has also set up various websites directed toward English speaking Muslims which include TubeIslam (a Muslim video sharing site), ChatIslam (a Muslim chat room), and WorldPreschool (a learning site for young children). “Dr Estes is highly loved by young Muslims,†Bu Melha said. -Reuters
