To strengthen the connection between youth and mosques, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable
Activities Department in Dubai has announced the start of the evaluation phase for the “
Imam Al-Freij” initiative. Specialized committees have been established at several mosques
across the emirate to assess the qualified imams in their final stages, using a set of scientific
and religious criteria. These criteria include memorization, rules of Tajweed (Qur’anic
recitation), vocal quality, understanding of jurisprudence and prayer, and finally, the
demeanor and personality of the candidates.
It is noteworthy that the judging committees have been organized in several mosques
throughout the emirate, with their locations and schedules announced through all available
departmental channels. Each committee consists of 10 members, including expert Islamic
scholars and professionals in public speaking and social communication. The committees are
expected to continue their work until September 15.
Dr. Mohammed Suhail Al-Muhairi, Director of Religious Services and Head of the Imam of
the Neighborhood initiative, stated that this step is part of the department’s strategy to
enhance the quality of religious services and improve the performance and skills of
neighborhood imams to meet contemporary community needs. He emphasized that the
Imam of the Neighborhood plays a crucial role in promoting moderation and balance. This
initiative is also part of the department’s ongoing efforts to elevate the standards of imams
and align with the objectives of Dubai’s Social Agenda 2033.
