Mafraq university to train Muslim preachers from France

AMMAN — Preachers and imams at French mosques will be receiving training at Al al Bayt University this year under an agreement now being finalised with the French embassy, an official said Sunday.

Offering training to French imams and preachers at the Mafraq-based university, some 70km northeast of Amman, was discussed at a meeting on Sunday between the university president, Dia-Eddin Arafa and French Ambassador to Jordan Caroline Dumas, according to Sayel Dughmi, head of public relations at the university.

The training for the French imams will focus on promoting moderation, co-existence, tolerance and harmony among faiths as the major pillars of Islam, Dughmi told The Jordan Times. 

“The training course will be part of a cultural exchange programme between the university and the French government under which Jordanian students of various majors will be enrolled in training courses in France,” he said.

“The two sides will finalise the agreement soon, with the French imams expected to begin their training at the university this year.”

Dughmi also explained that the Sharia faculty’s Islamic preaching department has already signed an agreement with the Awqaf Ministry under which students will be appointed at the Kingdom’s mosques upon graduation.

“We Muslims are in dire need nowadays for a moderate discourse that highlights co-existence and tolerance, and abhors extremism, radicalism and close-mindedness.”