Integrating Islamic Tradition and Digital Innovation: Akademi Daie Muda YADIM as a Catalyst for Youth Da’wah Leadership in Malaysia

This study examines the Akademi Daie Muda YADIM (ADMY), a flagship initiative by the Islamic Da’wah Foundation of Malaysia (YADIM), as a model for cultivating young Muslim preachers capable of addressing contemporary socio-religious challenges. In response to rising secular ideologies, digital distractions, and moral decline among Malaysian youth, ADMY integrates classical Islamic teachings with modern skill-based training in public speaking, leadership, media production, and artificial intelligence. Adopting a qualitative approach that combines document analysis with validated autoethnographic insights from the researcher’s role as a facilitator in ADMY’s 2025 series, this study explores how the programme equips participants to deliver contextually relevant da’wah in diverse settings, including underserved rural communities. Key findings highlight ADMY’s innovative digital literacy and AI modules, transformative outreach in Sarawak, and its success in developing spiritually grounded, socially engaged, and digitally fluent youth leaders. Nevertheless, scalability, resource limitations, and post-training engagement remain challenges. Policy support for nationwide replication, structured alum networks, and advanced trainer development is recommended to sustain and amplify impact.