Doha, May 08 (QNA) - The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, represented by the mosques administration, has announced its continued efforts to attract Qatari citizens to work as imams and preachers under the multi-category reward system, alongside retaining their primary positions in state institutions, governmental bodies, and private sectors.
This announcement came during a press conference held by the ministry today to announce the categories for the Qatari imam and preacher positions within the qudwa project, which was announced several months ago.
In this context, assistant undersecretary for daawah and mosques affairs Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwari said that the Ministry of Awqaf places great importance on the project to attract and qualify Qatari imams and preachers, in compliance with the directives of the wise leadership and as part of the ministry's strategy to provide mosques across the country with Qatari imams and preachers who are better equipped to understand societal issues, needs, and aspirations, and address them with knowledge, awareness, and wisdom.
Al Kuwari mentioned that the ministry has facilitated several categories for the position, aiming to achieve flexibility and facilitate the enrollment of those interested, while attracting the maximum number of Qatari imams and preachers. The reward amount is determined based on performance and efficiency at work, encouraging them to develop and strive for higher categories. The ministry also ensures flexibility for the imams by granting them leave from leading prayers and mosque duties on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as official holidays and annual leave.
On the other hand, Director of Human Resources Management at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammed Hassan Al Malki emphasized the ministry's keenness to attract a larger number of Qatari imams and preachers and conduct comprehensive studies to reach an optimal proposal to attract a wide range of individuals to work as prayer leaders and deliver sermons in mosques. This is done after obtaining approvals from relevant authorities in the state, particularly the Prime Minister's Office, regarding the deserved reward for each category, ranging from five thousand to ten thousand Qatari Riyals. The ministry also coordinates with the Mosques Administration to ensure that the imams fulfill their assigned tasks and responsibilities.
Director of the Mosques Administration Sulaiman Jumaan Al Qahtani said that the ministry has defined three categories for Qatari imams, with varying rewards based on the job tasks for each category, and two categories for Qatari preachers, with different reward values based on the evaluation of the preacher's level and sermon performance in the country's mosques across various regions, including significant mosques. The age requirement for all temporary Qatari imam and preacher positions ranges from 18 to 60 years old.
Regarding the categories of the Qatari Imam position, the conditions of employment, required tasks, and rewards, the Director of Mosque Affairs mentioned that the reward for Category A Imam is QR 10,000 per month. The appointee must be proficient in reciting the Quran with a good voice and memorize five parts. He added that the educational level should not be less than secondary school, with passing a personal interview and qualification course in Sharia sciences, obtaining an excellent evaluation in the periodic assessment for Category B. The required tasks include leading prayers (Salah) for four obligatory prayers daily, in addition to delivering four educational and admonitory lessons in the mosque weekly, and supervising mosque operations. For Category B Imam, the reward is QR 7,000 monthly. The appointee must be proficient in Quran recitation with a good voice and memorize four parts. The educational level should not be less than secondary school, passing a personal interview and qualification course, and obtaining a very good evaluation in the periodic assessment for Category C. The required tasks include leading prayers for three obligatory prayers daily and delivering three educational lessons in the mosque weekly. The reward for Category C Imam is 5,000 Qatari Riyals per month. The appointee must be proficient in Quran recitation with a good voice and memorize three parts. The educational level should not be less than preparatory school, passing a personal interview, and the required tasks include leading prayers for two obligatory prayers daily, in addition to delivering two lessons weekly.
He emphasized that the Imam will be evaluated periodically based on several evaluation criteria including discipline in performance, conducting lessons, development and training courses, relationships with worshippers and management, appearance and demeanor, compliance with regulations, and Quran memorization. Based on this evaluation, promotion to a higher category or demotion to a lower category will be determined.
As for the position involving giving sermons (Khatib), its conditions of employment, required tasks, and rewards, the Director of Mosque Affairs stated that the reward for Category A khatib is QR 1,000, totaling QR 4,000 to QR 5,000. The appointee must be proficient in Quran recitation with memorization of two parts. He noted that the educational level should not be lower than a university degree, with passing a personal interview and training course, and obtaining an excellent evaluation from the specialized committee. The required tasks include preparing and delivering Friday sermons, sermons for Eid prayers, and prayers for rain (Istisqaa), and delivering sermons in various regions of the country or important mosques.
For Category B khatib, the reward is QR 500 per sermon, totaling QR 2,000 to QR 2,500 monthly. The appointee must be proficient in Quran recitation with memorization of one part. The educational level should not be less than secondary school, with passing a personal interview and training course. The required tasks include preparing and delivering Friday sermons, sermons for Eid prayers, and prayers for rain (Istisqaa).
Al Qahtani added that the khatib will be evaluated according to the committee's evaluation mechanism based on several criteria including topic selection and its relevance, proficiency in introduction and conclusion, unity of the topic and coherence of elements, quality of preparation, eloquence of delivery, appropriateness and relevance of references, fluency and correctness of language. He noted that based on this evaluation, promotion to a higher category or demotion to a lower category will be decided.
In conclusion of the press conference, the Director of Mosque Affairs affirmed the ministry's commitment to integrating Imams and Khatib in training courses and programs in Sharia sciences to elevate their capabilities and enable them to lead prayers and ascend the pulpits for sermons, and work on activating the mosque's message that contributes to the advancement and cohesion of society, through unity and cohesion and through words of guidance and commitment to the etiquettes of our Islamic religion with a correct understanding and balanced approach. Additionally, he highlighted their efforts in the fields of inviting to Allah through social media platforms and Islamic websites with a balanced religious discourse.
He emphasized that the ministry's senior management provides utmost care and attention to all mosque Imams and Khatibs, especially Qatari ones, considering their honorable service to the houses of Allah and leadership of worshippers. They are the link to all segments of society and bear significant hopes for the community, through upright behavior, gentle and kind interactions, and presenting a good example to everyone living in Qatar, considering that Imams and Khatibs carry a noble message, being the backbone of work and the unseen soldiers leading worshippers and providing guidance and direction. (QNA)