Riyadh – Under the directives of His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, the Ministry, represented by the Agency for Publications and Scientific Research, announced the launch of a comprehensive new package of updates to the “Islamic Electronic Library” services, in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH. This step comes within the framework of ongoing efforts to utilize modern technology in the service of Islam and Muslims, and to facilitate their access to reliable Islamic knowledge.
Project background and strategic importance
The Islamic Digital Library is one of the leading digital initiatives of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, aiming to build a global digital resource for Islamic scholarship. This initiative is an integral part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which focuses on digital transformation and developing services for citizens, residents, and pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah. In an era of ever-increasing online information, the importance of a reliable platform that provides accurate and moderate Islamic content and combats extremist ideologies and misconceptions is paramount.
New update features for the Ramadan season
The Ministry's Agency for Publications and Scientific Research explained that the new update not only adds new content but also includes significant improvements to the user experience to meet the spiritual and intellectual needs of Muslims during the holy month. Among the most prominent features are:
- Content tailored for Ramadan: The lists of books and scientific materials have been rearranged and categorized to facilitate access to topics related to fasting, prayer, the Holy Quran, and Ramadan supplications.
- A huge scientific library: The platform contains more than 1000 diverse scientific materials, including written books, audio and video materials in various Islamic sciences such as creed, jurisprudence, interpretation and hadith.
- The Heritage of Senior Scholars: The library includes valuable works by senior scholars such as His Eminence Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz and His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen - may God have mercy on them - in addition to the works of His Excellency Minister Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh.
- Global reach: These scholarly materials are translated into more than 52 international languages , reflecting the Kingdom’s global mission of disseminating moderate Islamic scholarship.
Expected impact and dimensions of spread
The impact of this update extends beyond the local sphere, as the ministry aims to reach the widest possible segment of Muslims worldwide. This is achieved through an integrated system of digital and field channels
- Smart applications: The library can be accessed through the ministry’s official applications such as the “Rushd” application, in addition to integration with major national applications such as “Tawakkalna Services”.
- Interactive screens: More than 84 interactive screens have been deployed in vital locations including the Holy Sites, the Prophet’s Mosque, international and domestic airports, border crossings, prayer times, and major shopping centers in cities such as Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, Taif, and others.
- Awareness campaigns: The launch coincides with the distribution of more than 30 million informational slides across the library’s various platforms to promote religious awareness during Ramadan.
Since its launch, more than 700,000 users have benefited from the services of the Islamic Electronic Library, and this number is expected to double with the new updates and ease of access it provides, thus consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a leading Islamic reference in the digital world.
