The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD) has introduced a fresh initiative called “Development of Mosque Lessons and Unification of Preaching Content” as part of its IACAD-X projects. This program is designed to improve the quality and consistency of religious lessons in mosques across Dubai, making them more relevant and engaging for today’s diverse community.
Bringing Structure and Modern Relevance to Mosque Lessons
The main goal of this project is to enhance mosque lessons by standardizing their content within a modern preaching framework. This framework strikes a balance between maintaining religious authenticity and being adaptable enough to address the realities of contemporary society. It recognizes the important role mosques play in educating the community and aims to strengthen this role by providing structured, easy-to-understand religious messages. The curriculum is carefully organized around essential topics and core concepts that resonate with people’s everyday lives. The content is also tailored for different age groups, with special attention given to children and youth. These lessons are delivered using interactive storytelling methods, making them more engaging. Notably, each lesson is designed to be concise and impactful, lasting no longer than five minutes to keep attention and maximize understanding.
A Qualitative Leap Guided by Core Values
Jasem Mohammed Al Khazraji, the project lead, explained that this initiative marks a significant improvement in how religious lessons are delivered. “This initiative represents a qualitative leap in the methodology of delivering religious lessons,” he said. The program is built around six core values that are explored over two-month cycles. Each year, these values are refreshed through narratives drawn from the stories of the prophets, the biography of the Prophet Muhammad, and relevant Quranic verses. What sets this project apart is its heartfelt and relatable language, designed specifically for the new generation. Instead of a one-way lecture, lessons encourage live engagement with audiences, making the learning experience more interactive and meaningful.
Serving the Whole Community with Three Main Tracks
The project comprises three main educational tracks intended to meet the needs of all mosque visitors. Alongside these, there is a special recurring segment called “Children and Families of the Neighbourhood.” This segment aims to strengthen the bond between families and the mosque, positioning the mosque as a central place for fostering positive values and upbringing within the community. Overall, this initiative is a forward-looking step in reshaping religious education in Dubai’s mosques, ensuring that lessons are not only rooted in tradition but also resonate deeply with people’s daily experiences and modern realities.
About IACAD
The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai, established by Law No. (2) of 2011, oversees Islamic affairs and charitable work in the emirate. It promotes Islamic knowledge, supervises religious content, and licenses charitable organizations, mosques, and Islamic institutions. IACAD also manages Hajj and Umrah affairs, organizes religious events, and raises awareness about Zakat and charity. Originating from the 1969 Department of Endowments, IACAD’s role expanded through laws in 1994 and 2011 to cover charitable, Islamic, and mosque-related activities.
