Aweis A Ali
Biography
Rev. Aweis Ali, PhD, is an outspoken African missiologist, poet, and paremiologist. He has an impressive work history, having previously worked with employers such as the Somali Government, EU, UNICEF, UNOSOM, and Samaritan's Purse. Aweis is the founding Chancellor of An-Nour University; he became a follower of Christ in 1986, thanks to the ministry of SIM.
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 2025. 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 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 completed his Bachelor of Theology degree at the Evangelical Theological College in Addis Ababa, his Master of Divinity degree at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO, and holds a Doctor of Philosophy from Africa Nazarene University in Nairobi. Aweis’ PhD thesis is titled "Persecution of Christians and its Effect on Church Growth in Somalia."
Aweis is the Series Editor of "Maansada Masiixa" (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry) and the Editor in Chief of the Somali Bible Society Journal.
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.
Dr. Aweis' published works include:
BOOKS
1. Aasaaska Diinteenna (The Foundation of Our Faith)
2. Maansada Masiixa (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry), Volume 1
3. Maansada Masiixa (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry), Volume 2
4. Maansada Masiixa (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry), Volume 3
5. Maansada Masiixa (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry), Volume 4
6. Maansada Masiixa (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry), Volume 5
7. Injiilka Shariifka Ah (The Noble Gospel)
8. Rag iyo Rabbi - Men and God: Somali Poetry on Peace
9. A Proverb is Worth a Thousand Words: A Paremiography From Around
the World.
10. Injiilka Sayid Ciise Masiix (The Gospel of Lord Jesus Christ)
11. Persecution of Christians and its Effect on Church Growth in Somalia
12. Understanding the Somali Church
13. Walking With Him: A Catechism for Growing Christians and Serious
Seekers
14. Codadka Iftiinka: Qasiiddooyin Eebbe Amaan Ah (Voices of the Light:
Somali Christian Hymns), Translator, Maandeeq Publishing, 2023.
15. Encounters with Christ: How 20 Muslims Became Disciples of Jesus.
Maandeeq Publishing, 2023.
16. Loving Your Neighbor: How to Minister to Muslims, Maandeeq Publishing, 2024.
17. Sent to Serve: The Testimonies of 13 Missionaries in the Muslim World. Maandeeq Publishing, 2024.
18. Gedenkschrift: Ahmed Ali Haile. Maandeeq Publishing, 2025.
ARTICLES
Aweis published 19 articles and book chapters, with a few more pending publication expected to be released by the end of the year. You can read these articles here: https://aweisali.com/articles-by-dr-aweis-a-ali.html
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Aweis' biography, "Courage, Conviction & Character: The Biography of Dr. Aweis A. Ali," was released in December 2022.
The audio version of the biography is freely available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCheEJsHjU0
Contact Information:
Web: https://aweisali.com/
Twitter: @DrAweisAli
E-mail: aali@aweisali.com,
amazingwisdom@gmail.com
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 2025. 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 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 completed his Bachelor of Theology degree at the Evangelical Theological College in Addis Ababa, his Master of Divinity degree at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO, and holds a Doctor of Philosophy from Africa Nazarene University in Nairobi. Aweis’ PhD thesis is titled "Persecution of Christians and its Effect on Church Growth in Somalia."
Aweis is the Series Editor of "Maansada Masiixa" (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry) and the Editor in Chief of the Somali Bible Society Journal.
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.
Dr. Aweis' published works include:
BOOKS
1. Aasaaska Diinteenna (The Foundation of Our Faith)
2. Maansada Masiixa (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry), Volume 1
3. Maansada Masiixa (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry), Volume 2
4. Maansada Masiixa (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry), Volume 3
5. Maansada Masiixa (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry), Volume 4
6. Maansada Masiixa (Anthology of Somali Christian Poetry), Volume 5
7. Injiilka Shariifka Ah (The Noble Gospel)
8. Rag iyo Rabbi - Men and God: Somali Poetry on Peace
9. A Proverb is Worth a Thousand Words: A Paremiography From Around
the World.
10. Injiilka Sayid Ciise Masiix (The Gospel of Lord Jesus Christ)
11. Persecution of Christians and its Effect on Church Growth in Somalia
12. Understanding the Somali Church
13. Walking With Him: A Catechism for Growing Christians and Serious
Seekers
14. Codadka Iftiinka: Qasiiddooyin Eebbe Amaan Ah (Voices of the Light:
Somali Christian Hymns), Translator, Maandeeq Publishing, 2023.
15. Encounters with Christ: How 20 Muslims Became Disciples of Jesus.
Maandeeq Publishing, 2023.
16. Loving Your Neighbor: How to Minister to Muslims, Maandeeq Publishing, 2024.
17. Sent to Serve: The Testimonies of 13 Missionaries in the Muslim World. Maandeeq Publishing, 2024.
18. Gedenkschrift: Ahmed Ali Haile. Maandeeq Publishing, 2025.
ARTICLES
Aweis published 19 articles and book chapters, with a few more pending publication expected to be released by the end of the year. You can read these articles here: https://aweisali.com/articles-by-dr-aweis-a-ali.html
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Aweis' biography, "Courage, Conviction & Character: The Biography of Dr. Aweis A. Ali," was released in December 2022.
The audio version of the biography is freely available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCheEJsHjU0
Contact Information:
Web: https://aweisali.com/
Twitter: @DrAweisAli
E-mail: aali@aweisali.com,
amazingwisdom@gmail.com
Research Interests
- Comparative Religion
- Church History
- Church and State
- Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations in the Middle Ages
- Persecution of Christians
- Islamic Studies
- Islamic History
- Eastern Christianity
- Middle Eastern Christianity
- History of Missions
- Missiology and Mission Theology
- Christian Missions
- Missional Ecclesiology
- Mission Studies
Affiliations
Africa Nazarene university, School of Religion and Christian Ministry, Alumnus