THE BEGINNING01 ↗
2023/24
GRADUATED · ARCHIVEThe proof
of concept.
41 fellows began the journey, laying the foundation for a fellowship grounded in learning and service.
COHORT 01 2016 E.C.
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA · COHORT 03
Leadership
begins within.
For those ready to learn with purpose, lead with character, and serve with sincerity.
THE COVENANT
تَعَلُّمٌ بِهَدَف
قِيَادَةٌ بِأَخْلَاق
خِدْمَةٌ بِإِخْلَاص
ROOTED IN PURPOSE. READY FOR THE FUTURE.SCROLL TO EXPLORE ↓
180Verified learning hours
6.0ECTS · 3.0 credit hours / 18.0 DCU
70Selected fellows · 35 brothers / 35 sisters
14Community capstone teams
THE FELLOWSHIP 01 / OUR PURPOSE
Knowledge with purpose.
Leadership with character.
A six-month journey for emerging leaders who believe that meaningful change begins with the way we think, act, and serve.
Organized by the Addis Ababa University Muslim Students Union in strategic partnership with the Ethiopian Muslim Youth Council, Dar Al-Arqam brings intellectual rigor and Prophetic character into conversation with the challenges of our communities.
Our approach ↗ A STORY STILL UNFOLDING
One fellowship.
A growing legacy.
Each cohort builds on the one before it, carrying a shared commitment to principled leadership forward.
The proof
THE CONTINUATION02 ↗
2024/25
MERGED INTO COHORT 3The persevering
core.
35 continuing fellows carry their experience into the next chapter of the fellowship.
COHORT 02 2017 E.C.
THE NEXT CHAPTER03 ↗
2026/27
RECRUITMENT LIVE · 70 SEATSThe unified
cohort.
35 continuing fellows join 21 new AAU fellows and 14 fellows from other Addis Ababa institutions.
Explore admissions ↗COHORT 03 2019 E.C.
THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
180 hours.
A lifetime of impact.
Rigorous learning meets real-world practice in a curriculum designed to develop the whole leader.
120 HOURS
66.7% · GUIDED INSTRUCTIONLearn together.
Learn together.
Think deeply.
Facilitated learning, dialogue, specialist development, and institutional immersion build a foundation for thoughtful leadership.
✳
Put purpose
into practice.
Teams work on root-cause interventions shaped by real community needs.
Make space
for reflection.
Six required books and monthly Socratic Halaqah symposia deepen the conversation.
THE CURRICULUM
Six modules.
One integrated journey.
From personal mastery to community service, each module connects ideas with action.
Read the full manual ↗DAA-101 Prophetic Leadership, Ethics & Personal Mastery +
22 hours · Character, ethical leadership and personal development.
DAA-102 Critical Inquiry, Systems Thinking & Responsible AI +
22 hours · Tools for critical thought and responsible problem solving.
DAA-103 Communication, Book Symposia & Team Governance +
30 hours · Dialogue, collaboration and effective team practice.
DAA-104 Organizational Management, Innovation & Career +
30 hours · Leading organizations and preparing for meaningful work.
DAA-105 Specialist Skill Tracks & Institutional Immersion +
30 hours · Practical skills and learning beyond the classroom.
DAA-106 Integrated Community Service-Learning Capstone +
46 hours · Guided learning and community-based project work.
LEARNING IN ACTION
Ideas are only the
beginning.
Fellows develop practical skills and work together on interventions with the potential to make a difference.
THE COMMUNITY CAPSTONEFour ways to
Four ways to
create change.
Select an approach to explore how teams can translate learning into service.
01 / 04
Civic Tech & Digital Platforms
Use technology to make community resources, information, and services more accessible.
SPECIALIST DEVELOPMENTFind your
Find your
contribution.
Build practical skills in one of three complementary specialist tracks.
TRACK A / 03
Visual Design & Media
Shape clear visual stories and media that communicate ideas with purpose.
THE CHARACTER WE CULTIVATE
Six pillars.
One way of leading.
Rooted in Prophetic character, these principles guide how fellows learn, collaborate, and serve.
Amanah
Honor responsibility and the trust placed in you.
Shura
Listen with humility and make decisions together.
‘Adl
Act fairly, with care for the rights of others.
Adab
Bring respect, integrity, and discipline to every interaction.
Itqan
Do meaningful work with diligence and excellence.
Khidmah
Serve sincerely, addressing causes as well as symptoms.
THE NEXT CHAPTER IS YOURS
Lead with
what matters.
Cohort 3 brings together 70 fellows for six months of learning, character formation, and community service in Addis Ababa.
COHORT 3 · NOVEMBER 14, 2026 LAUNCH