Shaheem says young imams of this generation will be more intellectually capable than those before them

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said on Sunday evening that the young imams of this generation will be more intellectually capable than the imams of previous generations.

Speaking at the National Conference of Young Khatibs, Minister Shaheem said he believes there should be dedicated training programmes for Imamate and Jamaat, noting that these responsibilities do not require high-level certification but do require proper familiarity and preparation.

“The younger generation of imams today will be more intellectually advanced than the previous generation of imams,” Dr. Shaheem said.

According to the Minister, today’s young imams are academically strong because they pursue modern education alongside the Quran, Tajweed and Islamic jurisprudence at O-Level and A-Level. He noted that all the youths attending the seminar came from different schools, whereas people once believed that only those who studied in Arabiyya or religious schools could become imams.

He said this perception has now changed, with young khatibs emerging from various schools as outstanding academics of their generation.

Shaheem added that every Muslim should be accustomed to leading prayers, and that anyone who has studied in any field can become an imam. Addressing the young preachers, he encouraged them to move forward with courage and determination and to pursue studies in any discipline, while remaining imams throughout their lives.

The Minister acknowledged that preaching work comes with many challenges. He urged young preachers not to fall victim to religious extremists and to remain firmly committed to the moderate principles of Islam.