By Rehan Khan

MAKKAH AL MUKARRAMAH, July 04 (APP): The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, in a landmark initiative to enhance inclusivity and promote intercultural understanding, has translated the Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque into 35 different languages for the first time.

The historic translation project, launched during the Friday prayer led by Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, the President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, marked a significant step in enriching the spiritual experience of millions of worshippers and Umrah performers from around the world who gather at the holiest site in Islam.

The initiative aims not only to convey the core religious messages of the Friday sermon but also to highlight the virtues, etiquette, and spiritual importance of Friday to a global audience. By breaking language barriers, the project seeks to ensure that non-Arabic-speaking Muslims can connect deeply with the values and teachings being imparted from the pulpit of the Grand Mosque.

Speaking on the occasion, Fahim Al-Hamid, Advisor to the Presidency of Religious Affairs and General Supervisor of Media and Communication, said the translation of the sermon into multiple languages reflects the Presidency’s vision of fostering global unity through faith-based dialogue and cultural exchange.

“This project is not just about translation,” Al-Hamid said. “It is about building bridges between people, civilizations, and cultures through the universal message of Islam. We want every worshipper – regardless of language – to feel spiritually connected and fully engaged during the Friday sermon.”

He emphasized that the project stems from the strategic vision of the Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, who regards the Grand Mosque as a beacon of global religious leadership. “Our message is global, and therefore it must be communicated in global languages,” Al-Hamid added.

According to the Presidency, the translations are being delivered through a carefully designed operational model that ensures accuracy, authenticity, and real-time access. The translated sermons are transmitted using advanced audio systems and digital platforms to reach worshippers both within the mosque and around the world.

The initiative comes in the wake of continued efforts by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to position the Two Holy Mosques as centers of spiritual excellence and international religious dialogue. By offering the Friday sermon in 35 languages, the Presidency has made a profound statement on the inclusivity and universality of the Islamic message.

Millions of Muslims around the world tuned in to the translated sermons, marking a new era of accessibility, spiritual outreach, and religious communication from the heart of Islam.