Imams and preachers attend a training session.
Doha, Qatar: Over 75 preachers have completed an intensive three-day training course on Friday sermon jurisprudence and preaching skills, as the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs continues efforts to enhance the performance of preachers and strengthen the role of the mosque pulpit in addressing contemporary social issues and promoting Islamic values.
Organised by the Ministry’s Department of Da’wah and Religious Guidance in cooperation with the Department of Mosques, the course, titled “Jurisprudence of the Friday Sermon and Preaching Skills,” was held at Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque from August 24 to 26, 2026.
The programme combined Islamic legal foundations with practical training, including the preparation and delivery of realistic sermons, audio-based assessment, and the study of specialised references in preaching, communication and influence. Participants were also assigned to read and summarise 85 specialised books, with each preacher presenting his findings both orally and in writing to share knowledge and experience with fellow participants.
The course was delivered by Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Abdulqader Al-Farjabi, a Sharia expert and educational and family consultant with the Islamic Network affiliated with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
The training formed part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to develop the scientific, preaching and communication skills of imams and preachers, enabling them to deliver balanced and effective religious messages that respond to community needs and keep pace with contemporary developments.
The three-day programme, held for two hours each day, covered a range of specialised topics related to the jurisprudence and rulings of Friday prayers, sermon preparation and delivery, effective religious communication, and methods of persuasion and influence.
Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring that Friday sermons address real-life issues and challenges facing society. Participants were encouraged to provide practical religious and educational guidance that contributes to raising awareness, promoting positive behaviour and reinforcing Islamic values.
The course also addressed audience psychology, the classification of target groups and the importance of taking into account the cultural and social differences among worshippers. Participants were introduced to common mistakes made by some preachers during sermon preparation, delivery and communication, as well as methods of avoiding them and improving overall preaching performance.
A key feature of the course was its practical approach. Each participant was required to prepare a sermon addressing an issue drawn from the community’s everyday life and submit it in both written and audio formats.
The sermons were then evaluated according to professional criteria, including the quality of preparation, soundness of the Sharia-based treatment, coherence of the subject, delivery skills, ability to influence the audience and relevance to community needs.
The practical assessments provided participants with an opportunity to exchange experiences and benefit from the academic and professional feedback of trainers and supervisors.
