Why We Exist
An-Nour was founded to address a strategic need in the Somali Church and the global Christian community—to train faithful, informed, and courageous men and women to engage the Muslim world with the message of Christ.
We:
Our Mission
To prepare Christians to engage Muslim communities through theological knowledge, cultural understanding, and spiritual maturity.
Our Core Objectives
Provide comprehensive training in Islamic beliefs, practices, and history
Develop biblically grounded apologists for ministry among Muslims
Foster respectful and intelligent Christian-Muslim dialogue
Prepare students for cross-cultural service and mission fields
Encourage ministry rooted in compassion, not confrontation
Equipping Christians for the Real World
An-Nour’s programs blend academic study, real-world application, and spiritual mentorship. Our students gain:
Our Sponsorship
An-Nour Islamic Studies Academy is proudly sponsored by the Somali Bible Society, a Christian organization committed to scripture translation, theological education, and gospel outreach in the Somali Peninsula and beyond.
Our Chancellor
Aweis Ali is an outspoken missiologist, poet, and paremiologist with an impressive work history. He has worked with employers such as the Somali Government, the European Union (EU), UNICEF, UNOSOM, and Samaritan’s Purse. Thanks to the ministry of SIM, Aweis became a follower of Christ in 1986. Aweis is a student of the Qur’an and the Sunnah and is the first person to ever translate the Qur’an into English and Somali (with transliteration). His translations are set to be published by the end of 2026. He is also the first Somali churchman to earn a ministry-related doctoral degree. Aweis is a multifaceted author, editor, lyricist, and hymnodist. He is a passionate advocate for ministering to nomadic pastoralists.
Aweis is a recognized expert on the persecuted church in the Muslim world, with a particular focus on the Somali Church. He gave interviews related to persecution to media networks, including the BBC. He has been ministering in the Muslim world for over 30 years and has lived and served in various world areas, including the Horn of Africa, East Africa, West Africa, and the United States.
Aweis is the Series Editor of “Maansada Masiixa” (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry) and the Editor-in-Chief of the Somali Bible Society Journal. He is also the Chief Editor of the ongoing translation of the Somali Bible by the Somali Bible Society. Aweis’ research interests include persecution of Christians, church history and church growth in the Muslim world, Waaqism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in the Somali Peninsula, global paremiology, and Somali poetry.
PhD. Africa Nazarene University, Nairobi, Kenya
MDiv. Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri
BTh. Evangelical Theological College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Our Faculty & Staff
Leadership Team
An-Nour is led by an accomplished team of Christian educators, scholars, and ministry leaders with academic credentials from institutions across Africa, Europe, and North America.
The faculty consists of PhD holders, theologians, linguists, and experienced practitioners committed to both academic excellence and pastoral mentoring.
Hadliye B. Amani
Vice Chancellor
PhD. (in progress), Africa Nazarene University
MEd. Luleå University of Technology
BEd. Luleå University of Technology
Rev. Abdi Walalo
Academic Dean
MA. Bethany Global University
DipTh. Moffat Bible College
CerIS. Zulfaa & Swaluhina
Dr. Danny Pate
Student Dean
PharmD. East Tennessee State University.
Gatton College of Pharmacy
Rev. LeCrecia M. Ali
Registrar
MDiv. Nazarene Theological Seminary
BSc. Southern Nazarene University
Rev. Sufi Mohamed
Resources Director
MA. New Generation University
BTh. Mekane Yesus Seminary
Dr. Naol B. Kebede
Chaplain
MD. Addis Ababa University
MA. Leadstar Christian University
MTh. African Institute for International Studies
BTh. Bright Hope Theological College
Dr. Nancy H. Kobrin
Security Expert
PhD. University of Minnesota
MA. Roosevelt University
BJS. Spertus College of Judaic Studies
AB. Indiana University
Faculty Members
Dr. Howie F. Shute
DDiv. (H.C.) Africa Nazarene University
DMin. Study. Denver Seminary
MDiv. Nazarene Theological Seminary
BET. Rochester Institute of Technology
Patrick M. Kamau
PhD. Kenyatta University
MAR. Africa Nazarene University
BTh. Africa Nazarene University
Rev. John Y. Nguth
PhD. (in progress), Africa Nazarene University
MAR. Africa Nazarene University
BTh. Africa Nazarene University
DipTh. Creative Leadership Institute
Rev. Abinet A. Teklamariam
PhD. (can), Africa Nazarene University
MA. Addis Ababa University
MA. Africa Nazarene University
BTh. Evangelical Theological College
DipTh. Creative Leadershp Institite
Esayas Ersabo
PhD. Ugandan Christian University
MTh. Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology
BTh. Evangelical Theological College
Ibrahim Abdur-Rahman
MPh. Drew University
MA. Hartford Seminary
BA. Johnson University
Mike Neterer
MA. Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics
Dallas International University
MA. Concordia University
Graduate Courses in Literacy, Linguistics, & Language Acquisition
Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL)
University of North Dakota
BA. Bethany College of Missions
Rev. Mahad H. Birik
MA. St. Paul’s University
BTh. International Leadership University
DipTh. Reformed Theological College
© An-Nour Islamic Studies Academy,
Mecca al Mukarama Street, Mogadishu, Somalia