UJ to offer bachelor’s degree for imams — Tarawneh

AMMAN — The University of Jordan has created a new bachelor’s programme that graduates holders with a degree in “prayer leading and preaching”, UJ president Ekhleif Tarawneh said on Tuesday.

Tarawneh said this subject is among other new specialties to be taught in the upcoming academic year based on studies of job market needs.

“More than 3,000 imams and preachers are needed in Jordan,” he told The Jordan Times in an interview, adding that the university is coordinating with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to provide scholarships for students to encourage them to enrol in this subject.

Although there is a Sharia (Islamic law) faculty at the university, almost 80 per cent of its students are females according to the UJ president, and the subjects taught are not specialised for imams.

The Awqaf Ministry will offer these scholarships to students who want study the subject and are committed to work in this profession after graduation.

Awqaf Minister Hayel Dawood said the subject will not only be taught at UJ, but will be introduced in other universities in the Kingdom, based on the ministry’s recommendation.

The move, he said, is to cover for the needs and shortage of imams in the country.

Some of those who study this subject will be appointed on a part-time basis even while they are still in university, Dawood explained, adding that the curriculum will be developed by universities in cooperation with specialists.

“We will only provide our advice on the curricula and some supervision,” Dawood told The Jordan Times.

He stressed that the ministry is keen that no preacher or imam uses hatred speech in mosques, noting that some preachers were suspended for this.