The Alif project is an interactive video series of small group studies inspired by the internationally successful Alpha course. It is designed by Arab followers of Jesus specifically for non-Western people and will answer, for Muslim inquirers, the basic questions they have about the Christian faith. The material is contextualized for the Muslim mind and culturally appropriate. It is directed primarily at Arabic-speaking Muslim peoples.

Traditional Muslim evangelism in the Middle East mostly takes place in one-on-one situations. High degrees of suspicion concerning conversion exist in ‘closed’ Muslim nations and converts to Christ often face persecution. Consequently inquirers and new believers desire a secure environment to ask their questions. Because of security issues and the individual nature of their inquiries they are often inhibited from joining existing networks of MBBs (Muslim background believers) or the wider church. 

The Alif course offers an opportunity to a group of Muslim inquirers to come together in an informal environment with a few of their Christian friends to view the material and then share and discuss it together. This community-based approach is anticipated to be a useful stepping stone not only towards discipleship but also to the beginnings of a relevant expression of church. This expectation is based upon more than twenty years experience in Middle Eastern Muslim evangelism on the part of several of the key project personnel.

While various media materials are available for Muslim evangelism we know of none based on the Alpha concept. With the exception of the recently produced More than Dreams series, several of the most well-known materials are somewhat dated and culturally insensitive. Alif, presented in an Islamic style, written by MBBs, and reviewed by experienced practitioners for theological and contextual accuracy will fill a gap in available media tools. 

The finished Alif  course is scheduled to launch in 2009