Why these huge new signs have appeared on Coventry buses

[dutchman]

They are on a lot of the National Express Coventry buses



If you have been using the local buses in Coventry recently, you may have noticed a new message on the side of some of them.

The banner message on the side of some of Coventry's National Express buses reads: "Muhammad Dawat-e-Islami, a mercy to the entire creation."

The large green, red and white banner spans the body of the bus, and is certainly eye catching.

The group behind the bus banners is UK based charity, Dawat-e-Islami UK, who describe themselves as a worldwide non-political organisation.

So what does the banner actually mean? Charity spokesperson Sameer Hussain said: "Dawat-e-Islami UK (charity number 1110114) has booked out the displays on buses in Coventry, Birmingham, Walsall, Derby, Leicester & London which has a peaceful message about the Prophet Muhammad being a mercy to the entire creation."

It is the first time the group has ever run a campaign on this sort of scale.

Mr Hussain added: "The aim of this promotional campaign is to enlighten the public with a peaceful message about the Prophet Muhammad. More specifically this current season in the Islamic Calendar is known as Milad-Un-Nabi which is time when the Prophet Muhammad was born."

Speaking on the local reaction, Mr Hussain said: "Even from the public, because it's an Islamic organisation, even those that aren't Muslim, other faith groups say it's fantastic to see that sort of message at this sort of time. For the organisation it's fantastic to see it on there.

"It's the first time it's been done, and there are a lot of Muslims in that area and we've had a fantastic reaction from the public."

Dawat-e-Islami have a Midlands branch, Dawat-e-islami Midlands UK, which has approximately 14 centres providing free education, courses and welfare services.

Their local branch in Coventry i s is Faizan e Islam centre on Lockhurst Lane, Coventry.

The banners have been on the buses for two weeks, and this is the final week they will run.

During lockdown, the Midlands branch of Dawat-e-Islami have also been running their Covid-19 food support system, supplying food packs to the community.

They have foodbanks open in Birmingham and Walsall, and are hoping to open a new centre in Coventry.

On their website they detail the youth work, Islamic study, and welfare services they offer.