For certain Islamic preachers in Dubai, the fresh initiative introduced by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) is poised to revolutionize their approach, equipping them with new skills to produce compelling digital content. This groundbreaking program, dubbed 'Preaching Content Creators,' is crafted to unite traditional preaching methods with contemporary digital communication strategies.
Sheikh Ayaz Housee, the Imam of NGS and Khateeb at Al Manar Islamic Centre, lauded the initiative for its dual focus on enhancing technical proficiency and professional standards among preachers. The 38-year-old Mauritian emphasized, “Delivering the message of peace in a format that resonates with this generation is the optimal path forward.” Sheikh Housee underscored that embracing new technologies is not merely about following trends but understanding how modern audiences digest information. “The initiative is geared towards teaching preachers how to leverage graphics, video, and sound effectively, enabling them to reach a broader audience with impactful messages of peace.”
Sheikh Mohsin Saleh, a 46-year-old Imam at a mosque in Deira, also extolled the benefits of the program. “This training serves to bridge the gap between conventional preaching and modern digital outreach, allowing us to adapt religious teachings for social platforms, thereby making them more accessible and relatable,” noted the Iraqi national. Sheikh Saleh further elucidated the significance of engaging younger audiences through visually captivating and succinct content. “Today’s generation interacts with content differently; they are visual learners who often skim through social media for information. To captivate their attention and make a lasting impact, our messages must be engaging and pertinent,” he explained.
In addition to bolstering their outreach capabilities, the program will aid preachers in navigating the intricacies of the digital realm, including addressing misinformation and negative content. Sheikh Housee remarked, “The initiative will provide us with crucial insights into how social media algorithms function and how content can be manipulated online, assisting us in effectively managing our digital presence.”
The program spans five weeks, encompassing 100 training hours that cover essential skills such as digital content creation, public speaking, and creative storytelling. Participants will be mentored by 20 lecturers and will partake in workshops on media appearance, mobile photography, editing, and strategic content dissemination across various social media platforms. Moreover, the curriculum incorporates the latest trends in digital marketing and artificial intelligence, ensuring that graduates can professionally manage their content and communicate effectively with their audiences.
This initiative is poised to empower religious preachers with the knowledge and tools necessary to disseminate their messages in the digital era, ensuring that their teachings remain impactful and relevant to a contemporary audience.
