Hawzah News Agency- Speaking at a gathering of Muharram missionaries for the year 1448 AH, held at the Aftab-e-Wilayat seminary complex in Mashhad, Yaqub Traore, a missionary from Guinea, shared his field experiences in African countries and outlined the most pressing challenges and needs facing international preachers.
Traore expressed his appreciation for Al-Mustafa International University and affiliated cultural organizations, stating that Al-Mustafa has played an unparalleled role in training international missionaries, with many foreign students owing their knowledge, insight, and propagation skills to this scientific and cultural institution.
Africa: A Continent of Dozens of Cultures, Not a Single Entity
The Guinean missionary cautioned against viewing Africa as a monolithic entity, noting that the continent comprises 54 countries with diverse cultures, languages, and social conditions. "Some imagine Africa to be a unified whole, whereas the reality is quite different. One cannot simply generalize the experience of a single country to the entire African continent," he said.
Traore clarified that he could only speak authoritatively about the propagation experience in West Africa, as each region has its own specific circumstances, and propagation methods must be tailored to the local conditions of each country.
Heavy Travel Costs a Major Obstacle for Missionaries
The African preacher identified travel costs as one of the most significant problems facing international missionaries. He noted that while the allowances allocated for propagation activities are appreciated, they often fall short of covering actual travel expenses.
"Direct travel from Iran to some African countries is not possible, and a missionary must transit through several countries. For instance, the route from Iran to Guinea involves multiple transit stages and incurs considerable costs," Traore explained. He added that sometimes a missionary who is fully prepared scientifically and culturally finds it impossible to depart for the destination country due to insufficient financial resources.
Weak Logistical Links; Call for Stronger Support Networks
Traore stressed the need to strengthen ties between Al-Mustafa offices, cultural organizations, and missionaries stationed in various countries, urging officials to maintain continuous and regular contact with overseas preachers in order to gain firsthand knowledge of their needs, challenges, and capacities. "Such communication can pave the way for better support, more precise planning, and more effective utilization of propagation capacities," he said.
Post-Graduation Hardships for Returning Students
Addressing the situation of foreign students after completing their studies, the Guinean missionary noted that many students spend five to ten years studying in Iran and, upon returning to their home countries, face numerous difficulties. "During their studies, these individuals benefit from facilities such as insurance, dormitories, and educational services. However, upon returning home, they suddenly confront new realities and sometimes even struggle to secure accommodation and launch their propagation activities," he stated.
Traore called for the design of support mechanisms for the post-graduation phase, emphasizing that assisting students during the resettlement period in their home countries can play a critical role in their success in the field of propagation.
Acute Shortage of Shia Written Resources in African Nations
The missionary identified the severe lack of libraries and written resources on the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them) in African countries as another major challenge. "In many regions, access to specialized Shia books is extremely limited. Even where a library exists, it is usually located in the capital, leaving people in remote areas without any benefit," he said.
While acknowledging that some resources have been made available in the form of software and electronic files, Traore stressed that printed books and primary sources remain of particular importance for many audiences. He urged that when students return to their home countries, arrangements should be made to facilitate the transfer of some of the books and resources they require, enabling them to launch their cultural and propagation activities with stronger scholarly backing.
Empowerment Over Temporary Assistance
Citing a well-known proverb, Traore said: "In our culture, it is said that instead of giving someone a fish every day, you should teach them to fish." He noted that while temporary support is valuable, creating the conditions for self-sufficiency and the empowerment of missionaries in various countries will have a far more lasting impact and will assist them in continuing their propagation mission.
The Guinean missionary expressed hope that by strengthening scientific, cultural, and livelihood support, the ground would be prepared for a more effective presence of international missionaries in promoting Islamic teachings and the message of the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them).
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