As part of the efforts exerted by IACAD to achieve the objectives of the "Emiratization of Minbar" program, which was approved by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, with the aim of doubling the number of citizens working in mosques, His Excellency Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the IACAD, met with the cooperating preachers and imams of the citizens joining the program at the main building of IACAD in Al Mamzar.
During the meeting, His Excellency stated: "Our meeting today with cooperating preachers and imams from citizens, and what we see from the wide turnout to participate in achieving the objectives of the "Emiratization of Minbar" program, embodies the insightful and wise vision of the leadership of the Government of Dubai in adopting and supporting this generous initiative by providing the opportunity for qualified citizens, and providing them with the necessary skills and qualifications to participate in holding prayers and the call to prayer and performing Friday sermons in the Dubai's mosques."
His Excellency added: "What the cooperating preachers and imams are doing today is a national project, which is indivisible or inseparable from the great efforts of our wise leadership to build a conscious generation that is closer to the teachings of the true Islamic religion, and a societal role model that embodies the meanings and values of moderate Islam on the Minbar, and guides the nature of societal behavior in the Emirate of Dubai."
During the meeting, Al Muhairi also reviewed a range of plans and facilities provided by IACAD to support cooperating preachers and imams, including flexible work programs, preparation courses related to Sharia sciences, in addition to the terms of reference of the committees that were formed to manage the activities of the "Emiratization of Minbar" program.
At the end of the meeting, the Director General of IACAD thanked the cooperating preachers and imams for joining this national initiative, appreciating the noble role they play and the efforts they make, recalling at the same time the responsibility they bear, and the trust entrusted to them in the Emiratization of minbar, and that they are today the role models for those around them, and for those who will follow them from the next generations of imams and preachers.
It is worth mentioning that the "Emiratization of Minbar" program is a part of the community initiatives implemented by IACAD, to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33. Other examples of these initiatives are the 'Muezzin/Imam Al Freij' initiative for youth, and the 'Girass Al-Sayef' program for girls.