In a further step underscoring the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to developing religious discourse and enhancing the skills of those working in the field of Islamic outreach, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance announced the launch of the fourth training course for male and female preachers tomorrow. This course, implemented by the Ministry's Dawah and Guidance Agency, aims to train 800 male and female preachers, including newly appointed preachers and those seeking to improve their performance after previous courses.
General context and historical background
This initiative falls under the “Fourth National Plan for the Care and Development of Preachers,” a series of ongoing efforts undertaken by the Ministry since its establishment to ensure the delivery of a pure Islamic message based on moderation and balance. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs plays a pivotal role in overseeing religious affairs in the Kingdom, from managing mosques to organizing preaching activities, and these training courses are a key tool for achieving its strategic objectives. With 2,294 contracted preachers, the Ministry seeks to raise the overall competence of this important cadre, building on the success of the three previous courses, which benefited a total of 1,760 preachers.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
The importance of this course lies in its focus not only on the religious and legal aspects but also on developing the cognitive and professional skills of preachers. In a changing world, it has become essential for preachers to be able to keep pace with the demands of the times, utilize modern technologies, and deliver an impactful religious discourse that resonates with diverse segments of society. Locally, these qualified preachers are expected to contribute to promoting sound religious awareness, combating extremist ideologies, and instilling the values of tolerance and coexistence, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which emphasizes building a vibrant and strong society. Regionally and internationally, training highly qualified preachers enhances the Kingdom's position as a leading religious authority in the Islamic world and presents a model of moderate Islamic discourse that rejects extremism and fanaticism, sending a positive message to the entire world.
Course objectives and pathways
The training programs in this course aim to achieve several objectives, most notably increasing the number of qualified male and female preachers and raising their performance level in Islamic sciences through diverse academic, methodological, and intellectual approaches. The course also focuses on developing practical preaching skills, such as public speaking and effective communication, and utilizing digital platforms and new media to effectively convey their message. By empowering them to perform their field duties to the fullest extent, the Ministry ensures that the preaching discourse in the Kingdom is innovative, impactful, and capable of addressing contemporary intellectual challenges with a sound methodology and persuasive style.
