Over 500 imams join as Maldives holds its first imams’ conference

Hundreds of imams gathered at the Islamic Center in Male’ on Saturday, to attend the first imams’ conference to be held in the country.

 The conference was inaugurated by Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed in the morning.

Over 500 imams are attending the one-day conference, which is being held in five sessions. Those attending the conference includes 208 imams who are attending it in-person and another 300 who are attending it virtually.

Opening the conference, Shaheem addressed concern over the delay in work on the framework for imams.

“The framework for imams remains stalled. There hasn’t been any remedy. But we were here in this ministry when the framework work was initiated. Therefore, we have a keen interest in finishing the work on the framework,” he said.

Shaheem provided assurance the framework would be ready soon.

Shaheem said he was happy to see young imams participating in the conference.

“In Sha Allah, we, the Islamic Ministry, will do everything we can to remedy the difficulties facing imams. One of the goals of this conference is to discuss these issues and listen to and shape our efforts in accordance with your recommendations,” he said.

According to the Islamic Ministry, the key goals of the conference include:

• Providing a friendly environment where imams can introduce themselves and foster friendship and cooperation
• Identifying the issues facing imams and guiding them towards solutions
• Fostering collaboration with local councils regarding management of mosques and promoting imams’ community engagements
• Teaching imams ways to make mosques more welcoming and explain their role