Dubai: The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai has launched the Imam Al Farij campaign, which allows local teenagers as young as 16 to serve as imams in their neighborhood mosques.
This innovative program follows the successful Muezzin Al Farij campaign and is a direct initiative under the guidance of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council.
How Does it Work?
- Teens will be trained for 4 months at participating mosques.
- Training includes lessons on prayer, Quran memorization, and Islamic law.
- Training sessions occur 3 days a week, with a mix of in-person and remote classes.
How to Apply:
- Visit a participating mosque after the afternoon prayer (May 1st – 15th). You can find a list of mosques on the IACAD website.
- Register your child with the mosque’s custodian.
- Deadline: May 15th
- Contact: 800600 for more information.
The Imam Al Farij campaign’s goal is to involve the youth more intimately in religious practices, aiming to deepen their understanding of Islamic tenets and enhance religious awareness within their families. “The initiative targets young people from Dubai, enabling them to become imams,” explained Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of IACAD. He added that the program aims to “prepare the youngsters to lead prayers in Dubai mosques and contribute to the education and awareness process in Dubai’s society.”
Participants, ranging in age from 16 to 21, will undergo a four-month training course across 70 participating mosques. Training sessions are scheduled three times a week—twice in-person and once remotely—and will cover jurisprudential programs on the rules of imamate, prayer, and Quran memorization. The training is set to commence soon with registration open through May 15.
Parents interested in enrolling their teenagers can visit the mosques after the afternoon prayer to register. Each mosque will have a custodian ready to assist with the registration process, and a list of all participating mosques can be found on the IACAD website.
This initiative is part of Dubai’s Social Agenda 33, which focuses on nurturing stable family structures and empowering the youth to be confident and prepared for their futures. This educational venture not only offers practical training but also instills a sense of responsibility and pride among the young participants. It allows families the unique opportunity to see their children lead community prayers, enriching their community involvement and religious life.
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