The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has warned of a potential leadership vacuum if the Maldives fails to cultivate a new generation of Imams and Khatibs. Highlighting that the field is currently dominated by an aging workforce, the Minister noted that 65 mosques are presently without permanent Imams. To address this issue, the government launched a national initiative in 2024. Under this project, 700 young Khatibs and 880 funeral conductors (Jama’ath-therin) have already been trained. Furthermore, the administration has increased the salaries of Imams and secured 100 overseas training opportunities. The Minister’s primary objective is to develop a knowledgeable new generation, encouraging youth from diverse academic backgrounds to take on the roles of Imams and Khatibs.
