First Edition · 2026

Best Imam Award 2026

An initiative by the Imam Foundation for Training and Development to honor outstanding imams and preachers worldwide

Imam Foundation for Training and Development · United Kingdom

Prize::Cash Prize

Applications Close:Sept 30, 2026

Scope:Global

Submit Your Application Now Evaluation Criteria

Registration closes in

64Days

23Hours

51Minutes

14Seconds

About the Award

Why the Best Imam Award?

Stemming from the Imam Foundation's role in supporting scholars and preachers, this award was established to highlight outstanding imams who make exceptional efforts in serving their communities and enhancing Islamic awareness.

Vision

A world where Islamic competencies are honored, and every distinguished imam finds proper appreciation and the opportunity for broader influence in their community.

Mission

To discover, honor, and support outstanding imams financially and morally, and to create an international platform that highlights their contributions and consolidates the culture of religious excellence.

Award Objectives

What are we aiming for?

The award aims to achieve a set of noble goals that serve the Islamic community.

Honoring outstanding imams to achieve further progress and development in the religious and social fields

Encouraging imams to develop their skills and capabilities and maintain their religious and social status

Strengthening the bond between imams and the community by appreciating their pioneering role in social construction

Spreading religious excellence as a fundamental value in our Islamic communities and consolidating the culture of giving and creativity

Highlighting luminous examples of imams who embody Islamic values in serving humanity

Creating a spirit of positive competition and raising the level of rhetorical, educational, and administrative performance.

Who can apply?

Target Audience

The award welcomes nominations of imams and preachers who meet the following conditions:

Mosque imams leading the five daily prayers and Friday prayers
Certified preachers in official religious institutions
Imams working in Islamic centers and religious institutions
Field imams in conflict zones and diaspora
Mosque imams in countries with Muslim minorities

Global Scope

The award is open to all imams around the world without geographical or national restrictions — from Europe to Asia, from America to Africa, and from minority countries to Muslim-majority countries.

Application Conditions

Participation Requirements

All the following conditions must be met to qualify for the award.

The imam must have practiced the duties of imamate for a period of not less than three continuous years or five intermittent years.

The imam must hold a degree in Islamic sciences from a recognized institution, or have certified Sharia competence.

Must be of good conduct and behavior, and not convicted of a crime involving honor or honesty.

Must not have won the award in the previous edition.

Must submit the required documents in full within the specified deadlines.

Must agree to the announced conditions and criteria of the award.

Important Note

Self-nomination or nomination by certified religious institutions is accepted. In the case of nomination by an institution, an official letter signed by the competent official must be submitted.

Evaluation Criteria

How is it evaluated?

The judging committee relies on specific objective criteria that cover various aspects of the imam's performance and community role.

What is evaluatedLinguistic integrity, voice beauty, delivery quality, sermon content and organization, depth of scientific material and its relevance to people's reality and challenges.

Required MaterialsVideo recording of three recent Friday sermons on different topics, each lasting no less than 15 minutes and no more than 30 minutes. Sermons must be recorded with clear quality (audio and video) and uploaded through the participation portal.

Evaluation NotesHigher scores are given to sermons that touch on contemporary social issues in a wise and balanced manner, away from affectation or defamation.

What is evaluatedCommunication with mosque attendees, visiting the sick and needy, mediation and resolving family disputes, and contributing to social initiatives such as sponsoring orphans and feeding fasting people.

Required MaterialsA brief report (not exceeding two pages) explaining the most prominent community initiatives supervised or participated in by the imam during the last two years, with supporting evidence attached (photos, links, certificates of appreciation).

What is evaluatedAdministrative organization, attention to the general appearance of the mosque and its facilities, planning activities and events, and periodic follow-up of programs.

Required MaterialsFixed schedules and times for lessons and activities, and an activity plan during the competition period.

Evaluation NotesConsideration is given to the clarity of organization and what indicates that work is proceeding according to a chronological order and specific goals.

What is evaluatedBody language, general appearance, self-confidence, composure, good listening, ability to present the experience clearly, and dealing elegantly with the committee's questions.

Evaluation MechanismA personal interview with the candidate, taking into account their performance in the visual materials submitted within the nomination file.

Evaluation NotesThe axis does not aim to evaluate abstract appearance, but rather to appreciate the imam's presence, dignity, composure, and ability to represent their message and institution in a good manner.

What is evaluatedThe impact left by the candidate's efforts on mosque attendees and beneficiaries of their programs, and the extent to which tangible results appear for their advocacy, educational, or pedagogical activities.

Required MaterialsBrief testimonials from beneficiaries, or any quantitative and qualitative indicators clarifying the volume of benefit and the impact achieved.

What is evaluatedAttending training courses, developing rhetorical, administrative, and advocacy skills, and using digital means in advocacy and education.

Required MaterialsCertificates of attendance or participation in courses on administration, rhetoric, technology, or advocacy work during the last two years, or equivalent documented evidence.

Verification MechanismThe committee may conduct a short test or interview to measure the breadth of the candidate's knowledge in contemporary jurisprudential issues and current affairs.

What is evaluatedContent creation, presence on social platforms, writing, editing, or design skills, interacting with the audience, and publishing purposeful and religiously disciplined content.

Required MaterialsLinks to social media accounts, and a scenario for a short advocacy video.

Evaluation NotesAccounts and content are reviewed according to continuity, publishing rate, technical quality, clarity of audio and video, soundness of methodology and its freedom from extremism, in addition to the skill of writing, preparation, and simplifying information. (Optional: attach a brief scientific article prepared by the candidate).

Award Stages

Timeline

From the opening of nominations to the honoring ceremony — this is the entire participation journey.

1July 22 – 29, 2026

Opening of Nominations

For one week after the official announcement.

2July 30 – August 30, 2026

Start of the Competition Period

For one month, during which materials and documents are received according to the instructions.

Initial Screening

Verifying the fulfillment of the basic nomination conditions and the completeness of the data.

Review of Files and Documents

Evaluating sermons, achievement files, and attached documents.

Personal Interviews and Final Stage

Interviewing qualified candidates and reviewing final differentiation elements.

Announcement of Results

Announcing the winners according to a mechanism approved by the Imam Foundation.

Honoring Ceremony and Award Distribution

Honoring the winners and distributing the awards to them.

How to Register and Participate

Initial Registration Steps

Fill out the form

Fill out the electronic registration form and enter the required data accurately.

Receive Access Code

After submission, a screen confirming successful registration will appear, containing your special access code, which will also be sent to your email.

Complete Participation File

Keep your code to use it after the registration period ends to log in to the next stage and upload sermons, documents, and required materials.

Note:

Obtaining the access code does not mean passing any of the evaluation stages, but rather confirms the successful completion of registration. Please keep the code and do not share it with others.

Second Note:

The candidate can register themselves, or the entity they work for can nominate them and fill out the form on their behalf.

Honoring the Winners

What the winners get

Fully paid Umrah trip

Cash Prize

Attendance at a fully paid training forum

Award shield and certificate of appreciation

Submit your application now

Highlighting role models, stimulating development, and reviving the mosque's role as a starting point for knowledge, education, and reform. Your place in this journey begins with a step.

Go to the registration form

Nominations are open from July 22 to 29, 2026