English for Da’wah: Developing an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Framework for Islamic Communication and Da’wah

Abstract

The globalization of communication and the rapid development of digital media have transformed Islamic da’wah from a predominantly local and face-to-face activity into a global and digitally mediated form of religious communication. In this context, English has increasingly become an important medium for Islamic communication because it enables preachers, Islamic communicators, students, and religious institutions to reach audiences beyond linguistic and geographical boundaries. However, English instruction in Islamic higher education is frequently delivered as general English and does not sufficiently address the communicative tasks required in da’wah contexts. This article aims to formulate a conceptual framework for English for Da’wah (EFD) as a specialized branch of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) designed to prepare learners for English-mediated Islamic preaching and communication. This study employs a qualitative conceptual research approach combined with a systematic literature review of studies concerning ESP, English for religious purposes, Islamic communication, digital da’wah, intercultural communication, and English for Da’wah. The analysis indicates that EFD should integrate five major dimensions: linguistic competence, da’wah communicative competence, Islamic discourse competence, intercultural competence, and digital communication competence. The proposed framework positions English not merely as a foreign-language subject but as a professional communicative instrument for delivering Islamic messages to diverse audiences. The study contributes a preliminary conceptual foundation for developing EFD curricula, teaching materials, assessment instruments, and competency standards in Islamic higher education.