On January 3, 2026, the seventh class of Malian religious leaders graduated from the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams,
Preachers, and Female Preachers during a formal ceremony in Bamako. This milestone highlights the deep-rooted religious and diplomatic cooperation between Mali and Morocco, which aims to promote a moderate, tolerant version of Islam based on the Sunni Maliki rite.
The graduation cohort included approximately 100 individuals, featuring both male imams and female preachers (morchidates). Their comprehensive two-year curriculum in Rabat combined traditional theological studies with modern humanities and social sciences. Notably, the program also included practical vocational training in trades such as mechanics, carpentry, and refrigeration, equipping these leaders to serve as both spiritual guides and active participants in the socio-economic development of their local communities.
With this latest class, the total number of Malian religious leaders trained in Morocco since the program’s inception in 2013 has reached approximately 700. The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including Mali’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Worship, and Customs, Mahamadou Koné, and the Moroccan Ambassador to Mali, Driss Isbayène. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to this partnership, viewing it as a critical tool for combating radicalization and maintaining social stability in the Sahel region.
This long-standing collaboration was further strengthened by a memorandum of understanding signed in July 2025, which outlines the training of an additional 400 Malian imams and preachers. Upon their return, these graduates are expected to return to their respective mosques and institutions, carrying a mission to transmit peaceful and balanced religious teachings that align with Mali’s national security and cultural goals.
MD/ac/fss/abj/APA