About An-Nour
An-Nour is a private Christian university with four academic schools: the School of Islamic Studies, the School of Christian Ministry, the School of Languages and the School of Peace and Social Development. The Somali Bible Society sponsors An-Nour University. Our mission is to equip believers with deep understanding of Islam while nurturing love, humility, and confidence in sharing the gospel. We provide theological education with a specific focus on Christian-Muslim relations, Islamic studies, and missional engagement.
The name An-Nour means “The Light” in Arabic. We aim to be a source of biblical clarity, respectful dialogue, and compassionate outreach in Muslim-majority contexts.
Why We Exist
Our Mission
To prepare Christians to engage Muslim communities and other non-Christians through rigorous theological education, cultural understanding, language proficiency, and spiritual formation.
Our Core Objectives
Theological and Ministerial Formation: ground students in Scripture, doctrine, ethics, leadership, and pastoral practice.
Islamic Studies and Engagement: study Islamic beliefs, history, texts, and contemporary movements to strengthen informed, respectful dialogue.
Languages and Translation: develop competence in Somali, Arabic, and English for translation, literacy, and teaching.
Academic Rigor and Spiritual Growth: unite critical thinking with discipleship, mentorship, and prayer.
Practice and Service: connect classroom learning to field placements, internships, and community service.
Schools at An-Nour University
School of Islamic Studies
Focuses on Qur’an and Sunnah studies, Islamic history and thought, Christian-Muslim relations, and contemporary issues. Graduates are prepared for research, teaching, and bridge-building roles that require clarity and respect.
School of Christian Ministry
Prepares pastors, chaplains, evangelists, and church leaders in Bible, theology, preaching, pastoral care, mission, and leadership. Emphasis on character, competence, and service in local churches and ministries.
School of Languages
Builds advanced proficiency in Somali, Arabic, and English with pathways in translation, literacy, and TESOL. Trains language workers for education, publishing, and community development.
School of Peace and Social Development
Equips practitioners and leaders in conflict resolution, social justice, and sustainable community development. Graduates are prepared for impactful roles in NGOs, government, and international organizations, using practical tools and ethical approaches to foster justice and reconciliation.
Equipping Graduates for Real-World Impact
Students receive mentorship from experienced faculty, structured field practice, and exposure to key texts and current debates. They graduate ready for ministry leadership, interfaith engagement, education, translation, research, and community service.
Our Sponsorship
An-Nour University 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
Dr. Naol B. Kebede
Registrar
MD. Addis Ababa University
MA. Leadstar Christian University
MTh. African Institute for International Studies
BTh. Bright Hope Theological College
Rev. Sufi Mohamed
Resources Director
MA. New Generation University
BTh. Mekane Yesus Seminary
Dr. Nancy H. Kobrin
Security Expert
PhD. University of Minnesota
MA. Roosevelt University
BJS. Spertus College of Judaic Studies
AB. Indiana University
A. Hassan
Chaplain
MDiv. African Institute for International Studies
MA. Trinity Fellowship Pastors College
BSc. University of Somalia
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
Dr. 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
Dr. Esayas Ersabo
PhD. Ugandan Christian University
MTh. Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology
BTh. Evangelical Theological College
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
Dr. Jean-Claude Loba-Mkole
PhD (STD). University of Leuven
MA. Catholic University of Congo
BA. St Augustin Seminary of Kisangani
Dr. Seble Hailu
PhD. Omega/Oxford Graduate School
MA. Liberty University
MA. Addis Ababa University
B.A. Addis Ababa University
BTh. Evangelical Theological College
Dr. Andy Johnston
BA. University of Southampton
PhD. University of Southampton
University colors
#8B0000: (dark red/maroon). RGB:(139, 0, 0)
#CCB33B: (old gold). RGB:(204, 179, 59)
#228B22: (forest green). RGB:(34, 139, 34)