“Dubai Readers” greets 864 mosques with Emirati voices…and 345,000 worshipers in its first week

“Dubai Readers” greets 864 mosques with Emirati voices…and 345,000 worshipers in its first week

The Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai announced that the “Dubai Readers” initiative within “Ramadan in Dubai” witnessed a record attendance exceeding 345,000 worshipers during the first week of the holy month of Ramadan, after national recitations revived the walls of 864 mosques in various regions of the emirate, in an indicator that reflects the great demand for national voices in the emirate’s mosques, and confirms the success of the initiative as one of the qualitative initiatives that enhances the quality of the faith experience in mosques by consolidating the presence of… Emirati competencies on the platform are an indicator that reflects the success of the development methodology adopted by the department in managing religious seasons according to an integrated institutional vision.

This wide spread, coupled with the large turnout, reflects the community’s confidence in the qualitative initiatives launched by the department, especially with the elaborate recitations provided by “Dubai Readers” with promising Emirati voices, which contributed to reviving the meanings of reverence and contemplation, and strengthening the connection to the mosque as a beacon of guidance and community cohesion, and a bridge for consolidating national identity in the Qur’anic scene.

The initiative falls within a strategic direction to localize the pulpit and highlight national competencies in the religious field, by attracting and qualifying citizen readers within the initiatives of the Muezzin Al-Faraj and the Imam of Al-Faraj and the localization of the pulpit, and honing their skills according to high professional standards, in a way that enhances their presence in mosques and religious forums, and supports the sustainability of the religious message in a contemporary manner that keeps pace with the aspirations of society.

The official in charge of the “Dubai Readers” initiative in the department, Ahmed Mohammed Al-Badwawi, confirmed that the numbers recorded in the first week of Ramadan represent a qualitative indicator of the success of the process of localizing the platform, and reflect the level of societal confidence in the Qur’anic content provided by citizen readers in the emirate’s mosques. He explained that “Dubai Readers” has become an institutional project to create a proficient Emirati reader who possesses the tools of performance, scientific empowerment, and influential presence, in a way that strengthens national identity in the religious scene and consolidates the connection of generations to the Book of God Almighty.

He added that the department views the initiative as a long-term investment in religious human capital, as work is underway to develop an integrated system for qualification, follow-up and evaluation, to ensure the sustainability of quality and expand the base of citizen readers in mosques and official forums.