Updated: March 2026
Al Hidaya Johannesburg, South Africa (or operating primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa)
1. Introduction
Welcome to Al Hidaya. Al Hidaya (meaning “guidance” in Arabic) is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard your data when you visit our website, access our resources, subscribe to our newsletter, participate in our programs, or communicate with us—particularly if you are located in Africa or Sub-Saharan Africa.
By using our website, downloading resources, signing up for updates, or engaging with our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
2. What Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal information:
- Identity Data: Name, and optionally nationality or background (where relevant to our discipleship resources).
- Contact Data: Email address, phone number (including WhatsApp if provided), country of residence.
- Technical Data: IP address, browser type, approximate location, device information.
- Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our website, resources downloaded (e.g., Bible studies on Ruth, James, Ephesians), or pages visited.
- Preference Data: Communication preferences (e.g., newsletter subscriptions, interest in discipleship training or BMB resources).
- We collect data directly (e.g., when you fill out a newsletter form, contact us, or request resources) and automatically (e.g., via cookies or similar technologies).
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your data to:
- Provide and manage our services, including delivering Bible study resources, discipleship materials, and training information.
- Respond to inquiries, support requests, or questions about our resources and programs.
- Improve our website, resources, and communications to better serve believers from Muslim backgrounds (BMBs), disciple-makers, group leaders, and pastors.
- Send updates, new resource notifications, newsletter content, or invitations to seminars (only if you have opted in or expressly consented).
- Comply with legal or regulatory obligations.
4. Legal Basis for Processing (If Applicable)
Where data protection laws apply (e.g., POPIA in South Africa or similar laws in other African countries), we process your data based on:
- Your consent (e.g., for newsletter subscriptions or marketing communications).
- The need to fulfill a request or “contract” (e.g., providing requested resources or responding to inquiries).
- Our legitimate interests (e.g., improving our discipleship materials and outreach to support faith journeys in Christ).
- Compliance with legal obligations.
5. Sharing of Personal Information
We do not sell your personal data. We may share your data with:
- Service providers (e.g., website hosting, email platforms for newsletters, or tools for resource delivery).
- Government or law enforcement agencies, if legally required.
- Trusted partners or local collaborators (e.g., seminar hosts or discipleship trainers in Sub-Saharan Africa), only where necessary to deliver a service or event you have requested or expressed interest in.
We ensure that any partners or third parties uphold appropriate privacy and security standards.
6. Data Retention
We retain your data only as long as necessary for:
- The purpose for which it was collected (e.g., active newsletter subscription).
- Legal or regulatory obligations.
- Resolving disputes or enforcing any related agreements.
Once no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.
7. Your Rights
Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may have rights such as:
- The right to access your personal data.
- The right to correct inaccurate data.
- The right to delete your data (“right to be forgotten”).
- The right to object to or restrict certain processing (e.g., marketing).
- The right to withdraw consent at any time (e.g., unsubscribe from newsletters).
To exercise these rights, contact us at info@alhidaya.org.
8. Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our website (e.g., remembering preferences or analyzing usage to improve resources). You can manage cookie settings through your browser preferences.
9. Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. However, no online system can be guaranteed 100% secure.
10. Children’s Privacy
Our services and resources are not directed at individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children without verifiable parental consent. If we become aware of such data, we will delete it promptly.
11. Cross-border Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your own (including outside Africa), where data protection standards may differ. We ensure any such transfers comply with applicable legal requirements (e.g., appropriate safeguards under POPIA or equivalent laws).
12. Updates to this Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The most current version will always be posted on our website with the updated date. We encourage you to review it regularly.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at: info@alhidaya.org
Thank you for trusting Al Hidaya as part of your faith journey. We are dedicated to handling your information responsibly in support of guidance and discipleship in Christ.
