Ministry of Awqaf officials during the launch of the app at a ceremony.
Doha, Qatar: As part of its digital transformation vision, Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, represented by the Department of Mosques, has launched an app “Minbar”, a pioneering initiative aimed at leveraging modern technology to enhance the message of mosques and extend the impact of Friday sermons to wider segments of society across the country.
The application was officially launched yesterday, during a ceremony that featured a presentation introducing the app, its objectives, and its role in developing religious communication. The presentation also highlighted the platform’s advanced technological features and the diverse audiences it is designed to serve.
Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Director of the Department of Mosques, said the launch reflects the ministry’s commitment to providing accessible and reliable Islamic content powered by artificial intelligence. He noted that the application transforms the Friday sermon from a message limited by time and place into a continuous interactive experience that supports Muslims in their daily lives, reinforces Islamic values, and deepens understanding of religious teachings.
Al Thani explained that the “Minbar” app offers a range of intelligent features designed to strengthen user engagement with religious content. These include AI-powered English translations of Friday sermon texts, multiple sermon summaries in both Arabic and English, and simplified summaries tailored for children. The application also provides interactive content featuring questions and answers generated from sermon topics to enhance comprehension and practical application of key messages.
Additional features include live streaming of Friday prayers, access to a comprehensive archive of previous sermons, and a bilingual user interface supporting both Arabic and English.
The app is designed to benefit a broad spectrum of users, including non-Arabic speakers, children, women, individuals unable to attend Friday prayers, travelers, and Muslims seeking a deeper understanding of sermon content. It also offers non-Muslims an opportunity to learn about Islamic values and authentic religious teachings through a trusted source. Sheikh Abdulrahman emphasized that the launch of “Minbar” represents a significant advancement in religious outreach and communication tools, enabling Friday sermons to reach audiences anytime and anywhere through an interactive digital platform.
The app also strengthens integration between the mosque’s mission and digital platforms, supporting the ministry’s role in disseminating authentic Islamic knowledge and increasing the relevance of Friday sermons in people’s lives.
Al Thani noted that future updates will introduce new features, including AI-powered voice translation and enhanced user experiences tailored to evolving audience needs.
