Saudi Ministry Launches Islamic Course in Ethiopia

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance launched its 13th intensive scholarly course in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, on September 17, 2026, training more than 200 preachers, imams, and students. The five-day program, organized by the Religious Attaché’s Office at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in Ethiopia, is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to implement outreach programs abroad, enhance the capabilities of religious personnel and students, and promote Islamic knowledge grounded in the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.

Context and Background

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has a long-standing mandate to support Islamic education and outreach globally. Through its network of religious attachés and international partnerships, the ministry provides training, resources, and guidance to Muslim communities, helping to ensure that religious instruction remains authentic and moderate. Ethiopia, with its significant Muslim population, has been a key focus of these efforts. The 13th course in Dire Dawa builds on previous successful sessions that have equipped local religious leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to serve their communities effectively.

This initiative also reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering moderate Islam and countering extremism. By investing in the education of imams and preachers, Saudi Arabia helps promote stability and interfaith harmony in the region. The course is conducted in coordination with Ethiopian religious authorities, ensuring cultural sensitivity and local relevance.

Key Details

The five-day intensive course in Dire Dawa brought together over 200 participants, including preachers, imams, and students from various parts of Ethiopia. The curriculum covers Quranic interpretation, Hadith studies, Islamic jurisprudence, and contemporary issues facing Muslim communities. The program is designed to be practical and interactive, with workshops and lectures delivered by qualified scholars from Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia.

The Religious Attaché’s Office at the Saudi Embassy in Ethiopia coordinated logistics and invited prominent local scholars to contribute. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the course is part of the ministry’s broader strategy to support religious personnel abroad, enabling them to address modern challenges while staying true to Islamic principles.

Implications and Impact

This initiative strengthens the spiritual and educational ties between Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia, reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a global leader in Islamic scholarship and moderation. It also empowers local religious leaders to promote peace, tolerance, and coexistence within their communities. By enhancing the capabilities of imams and preachers, the program contributes to social stability and counters radical narratives that can undermine security.

Furthermore, the course supports Ethiopia’s Muslim community by providing access to high-quality religious education, which is often limited in remote areas. Participants are expected to return to their communities better equipped to lead prayers, deliver sermons, and offer guidance on religious and social matters. This ripple effect can foster greater understanding and cooperation among different faith groups in the region.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and the promotion of moderate Islam as a pillar of global stability. This course exemplifies the Kingdom’s commitment to these goals by investing in human capital and fostering partnerships that advance shared values. As the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance continues to expand its outreach, such initiatives will further strengthen Saudi Arabia’s role as a beacon of moderation and a catalyst for positive change worldwide.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the 13th intensive scholarly course launched by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance?

A1. It is a five-day training program for preachers, imams, and students in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, aimed at enhancing their religious knowledge and capabilities in line with the Quran and Sunnah.

Q2. Where did the course take place?

A2. The course was held in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, organized by the Religious Attaché’s Office at the Saudi Embassy in Ethiopia.

Q3. How many participants attended the course?

A3. More than 200 preachers, imams, and students participated in the five-day program, representing various regions of Ethiopia.

Q4. When was the course launched?

A4. The course was launched on September 17, 2026, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Q5. What is the main objective of the course?

A5. The course aims to enhance the capabilities of religious personnel and students, implement outreach programs abroad, and promote Islamic knowledge based on the Quran and Sunnah.

Q6. Which Saudi ministry organized the course?

A6. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance organized the course through its Religious Attaché’s Office in Ethiopia.

Q7. What topics are covered in the course?

A7. The curriculum includes Quranic interpretation, Hadith studies, Islamic jurisprudence, and contemporary issues facing Muslim communities, delivered through lectures and workshops.

Q8. Who are the intended beneficiaries of the course?

A8. Preachers, imams, and students in Ethiopia who serve local Muslim communities and seek to improve their religious teaching skills.

Q9. How does this course align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030?

A9. It aligns with Vision 2030 by promoting moderate Islam, international cooperation, and human capital development, which are key pillars of the Kingdom’s strategic vision.

Q10. What is the significance of the course being the 13th of its kind?

A10. It demonstrates the ministry’s sustained commitment to outreach in Ethiopia and the continuity of its efforts to support religious education globally.

Q11. How does the course promote moderate Islam?

A11. By providing training grounded in the Quran and Sunnah, the course encourages balanced interpretations and counters extremist narratives, fostering tolerance and coexistence.

Q12. What role does the Religious Attaché’s Office play?

A12. The office coordinates logistics, invites local scholars, and ensures the course meets the needs of the local Muslim community in Ethiopia.

Q13. Are there any partnerships with Ethiopian authorities?

A13. The course is conducted in coordination with Ethiopian religious authorities, ensuring cultural sensitivity and local relevance.

Q14. What impact does the course have on local communities?

A14. It empowers imams and preachers to lead prayers, deliver sermons, and offer guidance, thereby promoting social stability and religious harmony.

Q15. How does the course benefit participants?

A15. Participants gain advanced knowledge and practical skills that enhance their ability to serve their communities effectively and address contemporary challenges.

Q16. What is the duration of the course?

A16. The course is a five-day intensive program, designed to maximize learning and interaction within a short period.

Q17. Who delivered the lectures at the course?

A17. Qualified scholars from Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia delivered lectures and workshops, sharing their expertise with participants.

Q18. How does this initiative reflect Saudi Arabia’s global role?

A18. It showcases the Kingdom’s leadership in promoting moderate Islam and supporting Muslim communities worldwide through education and outreach.

Q19. What are the expected outcomes of the course?

A19. Participants are expected to return to their communities better equipped to promote peace, tolerance, and a correct understanding of Islam.

Q20. How can other countries benefit from similar programs?

A20. By partnering with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, other countries can access training that fosters moderate religious leadership and community development.

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