• 

The Student Activities Health Club at the United Arab Emirates University organized a lecture entitled ‘Featherweight’ by Sheikh Waseem Yousef, Imam of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, as part of their ‘Come and Lose Weight’ initiative. This initiative was launched by the Student Activities Section in collaboration with the Community Nutrition Department at Tawam Hospital. The lecture was held in the theater at UAEU’s crescent building and was attended by more than 500 students.

Sheikh Waseem Yousef talked about the Prophet Mohamed’s (PBUH) life (Seerah), and the lives of his virtuous companions, and drew parallels with current concerns related to maintaining a healthy diet without going to extremes. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was very clear about this and there are many Hadiths concerning moderation in the consumption of food and drink. One such saying is that, "No man fills a container worse than his stomach. A few morsels that keep his back upright are sufficient for him. If he has to, then he should keep one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for his breathing."

Sheikh Yousef advised the students on the need to follow the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions (may God bless them) and avoid everything that harms bodily health. He urged the students to interest themselves in maintaining a healthy lifestyle as obesity and being overweight have become serious problems in more modern times, often resulting in other, related, ailments and illnesses. After all, Almighty Allah commanded us in the Holy Qur'an not to cast ourselves into perdition with our own hands.

For his part, His Excellency Professor Ghaleb Ali Al Hadrami, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment, expressed his appreciation to Sheikh Waseem Yousef for his valuable lecture to the students and he also encouraged them to participate actively in the ‘Come and Lose Weight’ initiative in order to make it a success. He also praised the role of Dr. Nada Al Adeeb, Director of the Community Nutrition Department at Tawam Hospital, for her efforts in supporting and launching this initiative.