The Palestinian Center for Conflict Resolution concludes a course to prepare mosque preachers and imams in the Gaza governorates

Gaza, Publication and Information Unit:

Yesterday the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution concluded a training course to prepare mosque imams and preachers, in coordination with the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in the Gaza governorates. Thirty preachers took part in the training course over four days, comprising 20 training hours, in the training hall at the Centre's main premises in Gaza City.

At the end of the training course, the course coordinator from the Conflict Resolution Center, Rabie Hamouda, praised how the training strengthened new concepts and methods among the preachers in delivering religious sermons to citizens in the mosques, adding: "Our Centre's philosophy is to take the initiative in developing the capacities of a range of groups in society, with the aim of developing the ways they communicate with the local public in the future."

For his part, the director general of preaching and guidance at the Ministry of Awqaf, Dr. Youssef Farahat, expressed his pleasure at the achievements of the imams and preachers during the trainings and at their benefiting from the trainers' expertise in the field of communication and outreach with society. He explained that this partnership with the Conflict Resolution Center will continue in order to ensure the benefit of all the Palestinian people, as he put it.

For his part, the participant Anwar Abu Shawish, a mosque preacher, praised the resources available during the training, from training methods to engaging subjects such as presentation and delivery skills, information about using the internet and combating drugs. He noted that the participating preachers will develop their addresses starting from next Friday's sermon and in religious lessons and sermons before their audiences in the governorates.