In the UAE, Emirati youth as young as 20 are taking on the role of preachers in mosques nationwide, concentrating on providing religious reminders. In an interview with Khaleej Times, these young evangelists expressed their continuation of their family's legacy of preaching. They are recent graduates of the 'Nation’s Preachers' program, initiated by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments in collaboration with Mohammed bin Zayed University for Humanities. This program is designed to equip UAE university students with the skills to deliver Friday sermons, reinforcing the principles of tolerance, coexistence, and peace inherent in Islam.
The students, hailing from the Mohammed bin Zayed University for Humanities with a specialization in Islamic studies, including jurisprudence, religious discourse, hadith sciences, and the holy Quran, attribute their inspiration to their parents. Mohammed Al Shahi, a young preacher, shared with Khaleej Times, 'The inspiration has been there since childhood. I would watch my father deliver sermons and bear religious responsibility, which ignited my love and appreciation for preaching and motivated me to follow his path. As I grew older, my passion for preaching grew.'
The three-week program was structured to enhance public speaking skills, particularly focusing on voice modulation during sermons. The initial week covered the theoretical preparation of sermons, including general guidelines for speakers and body language skills, followed by practical sessions on delivering Friday sermons in the subsequent weeks. Mohammed Al Attas, a 22-year-old Master's degree holder in discourse, expressed his ambition to pursue a PhD and serve his country by disseminating Islamic values through various platforms.
The program has sparked a growing enthusiasm for preaching among the students. Suleiman Al Darmaki, 20, commented on his experience, 'I fell in love with preaching through this program, and I wish that the training period was longer than three weeks.' He aims to refine his skills in voice modulation to enhance the impact of his sermons and aspires to become the Imam and preacher at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
The aspiring national preachers consider the program a transformative experience that has significantly developed their public speaking abilities. They are determined to make a substantial impact in the field of preaching, with Zayed Al Mansouri stating, 'I have always had this desire, and my ambition is to be a role model for Emirati youth in imamat (leading prayers), azan (call for prayers), and preaching. I will strive to improve my performance and learn all the techniques that captivate people's attention during sermons.'
