Wednesday 13 August 2025 - 22:05
Maldives trains 4 Friday sermon leaders to tackle imam shortage

The Maldives has trained four new religious leaders to deliver Friday sermons at mosques, helping tackle a nationwide shortage of Muslim clergy. The government-sponsored programme for young Friday prayer leaders aims to strengthen Islamic services across the islands, according to Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Minister of Islamic Affairs.

Hawzah News Agency- Minister Dr. Shaheem stated on X that before designating four graduates from the ''Friday Sermon Leaders'' programme, the Ministry had to bring in external Imams to lead Friday prayers in Feridhoo, Alifu Atoll.

The four newly trained Friday sermon leaders – all natives of Feridhoo – completed the government’s third training cohort for young religious preachers. Ahmed Afad Basheer, Mohamed Ayan Ahmed Shathir, Ahmed Yasin Abdulla, and Mohamed Mifzal Ahmed had previously led prayers in Feridhoo under special permits prior to formal qualification.

The island’s 525 residents faced severe disruption due to the Imam shortage. Feridhoo Island Council spent thousands annually to hire temporary prayer leaders for its two mosques.

The Ministry aims to train 1,000 new Friday sermon leaders within five years.

Source: PSM NEWS

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