Shaheem says Maldives risks a major religious loss without building a strong generation to uphold Islam

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said on Friday evening that it is essential to build a strong generation capable of upholding and expressing the noble slogan of Islam in the years ahead, warning that Maldives risks a significant religious loss if this responsibility is neglected.

Speaking at the ceremony held to award certificates to participants of the fourth round of the Young Khateebs Training Programme, Shaheem said that leading prayers and calling the azaan are among the most honoured roles in Islam, and that serving as a khateeb carries a noble and weighty responsibility.

Shaheem advised the trainee khateebs to commit themselves to remaining on the right path.

“Being punctual, respecting the role, and reviewing the sermon before stepping onto the minbar, no matter how capable one is, must be done. Because during the delivery of the khutbah, a person may unknowingly make a mistake,” he said.

He said young khateebs should embody the character expected of them and serve as examples for other children.

Shaheem noted that one of the biggest challenges faced today is the shortage of khateebs in some islands and the lack of imams in others. As a result, communities have been forced to bring people from other islands to deliver sermons and lead prayers, he said.

ޒުވާން ޚަޠީބުން ތަމްރީން ޕްރޮގުރާމުގެ 4 ވަނަ ބުރު ފުރިހަމަ ކުރި 85 ބައިވެރިންނަށް ސަނަދު ދިނުމަށްޓަކައި ބޭއްވުނު ޚާއްސަ ރަސްމިއްޔާތު. pic.twitter.com/jjWUEHLQYG

— Ministry of Islamic Affairs & Endowments (@MVIaffairs) June 27, 2026

Describing khateeb training as a foundational step in religious education, Shaheem said the government stands ready to support students who wish to pursue further Islamic studies.

“It is the duty of today’s generation to resolve the challenges faced by many islands in this area and to build a strong generation that will carry the slogan of Islam into the next century,” he said.

Shaheem said in a social media post that with 269 khateebs graduating from the third batch, the total number of khateebs trained under the programme has now reached 503.

He said the aim is to train 1,000 khateebs under the programme, and that another 497 are needed to reach this target.

The khateeb programme was launched in response to the shortage of imams in the Maldives.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs conducts khateeb training programmes for students who have completed grades 10, 11 and 12.